The British Neuropsychological Society is proud to award a number of prizes:

• The Elizabeth Warrington Prize 
• The Freda Newcombe Prize
• The Humphreys & Riddoch Prize
• The Undergraduate Prize
• The Oliver Zangwill Prize

Details of each award and previous winners are listed below:

The Elizabeth Warrington Prize

The Elizabeth Warrington Prize  is awarded annually on the basis of distinguished work in neuropsychology by a person at an early stage in their career (normally within 10 years of attaining their professional qualification, e.g., MD, DClinPsych, PhD etc.). The recipient will be invited to give a lecture, normally during the Spring BNS Meeting. 

The prize for outstanding early-career researchers is named in honour of Elizabeth Warrington. Elizabeth has played a key role in the British development of Cognitive Neuropsychology. Her work is a foundation for understanding normal brain function, as well as for innovating clinical methods in the development of numerous tests that can be used in the diagnosis of brain injuries, and for use in rehabilitation. 

How to Apply: Please send a copy of the nominee's CV and a statement outlining their distinguished contributions and achievements to the Honorary Secretary at info@the-bns.org.

Applications for the 2026 prize are now open

  The Freda Newcombe Prize

The Freda Newcombe Prize lecture is given by invitation from the BNS Executive Committee once a year during the Autumn meeting. The prize lecture is awarded to a distinguished scientist who aligns with the current scientific interests/developments of the society. 

This prize is named in honour of Freda Newcombe (1925 - 2001), who played a pivotal role in the development of the discipline of cognitive neuropsychology. Her work focused on the relationship between cognitive deficits and lesion location, based on the research of ex-servicemen. 

How to apply: The Freda Newcombe Prize winner is selected by the BNS Committee. If you would like to suggest a speaker for the Freda Newcombe Lecture, please contact the Honorary Secretary at info@the-bns.org.    

The Undergraduate Prize is open to all UK final year undergraduates taking a single or joint honours psychology degree that is accredited by the British Psychological Society. Submissions are invited from all areas of Neuropsychology including: Clinical or cognitive neuropsychology, Brain Imaging,  Clinical or Cognitive Neuroscience,  Psychoneuropharmacology.

The winner will be invited to present their findings in a short talk at the Autumn BNS meeting, and awarded 3 years free associate membership of the BNS. 

How to apply: candidates should send a copy of their dissertation and a letter of support from their supervisor to info@the-bns.org. 

The Oliver Zangwill Prize

The Oliver Zangwill Prize is awarded to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to neuropsychology, including in their career, combining overall clinical practice with neuropsychology research. 

Background:

The prize is named in honour of Oliver Zangwill (1913-1987), a pioneer of neuropsychology in the 20th Century, including the establishment of the careers of highly influential figures such as George Ettlinger, John McFie, Moyra Williams, Maria Wyke, Brenda Milner and Elizabeth Warrington. He is also credited for helping to establish the interface between research and neuropsychological rehabilitation, with a long and distinguished career at Cambridge University and the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, Queen Square, London.

Criteria for Award:

The person should be in mid-career or thereabouts, have spent a significant period of their career in qualified clinical practice, and have made a significant and sustained contribution to research in neuropsychology. 

How to apply: The Olivers Zangwill Prize winner is selected by the BNS Committee and will be awarded at the Spring Meeting of the BNS. If you would like to nominate someone for the award, please send the following to the Honorary Secretary at info@-the-bns.org:

1) a copy of the nominee's CV

2) two supporting reference letters

Applications for 2026 NOW CLOSED