The General Secretariat of the King Faisal International Prize announced the opening of candidacies for the 2028 edition of the prestigious award. The call for nominations marks the beginning of a seven-month application period for institutions and individuals worldwide. Candidates can submit their applications from September 1, 2026, until the closing date of March 31, 2027. This extended period allows ample time for thorough preparation and submission of full dossiers. The Prize recognizes outstanding achievements in various fields, promoting intellectual and scientific advancement globally and fostering a spirit of innovation and scholarship across diverse disciplines.
Prize Categories and Themes
The King Faisal International Prize is awarded across five distinct categories: Service to Islam, Islamic Studies, Arabic Language and Literature, Medicine, and Sciences. Each category is designed to acknowledge significant contributions that resonate globally. The Service to Islam prize is an honorary distinction, recognizing outstanding contributions to Islam, Muslims, and humanity. This particular award celebrates individuals or institutions who have made profound impacts through their efforts to serve the Muslim community and promote Islamic values. For the 2028 edition, the theme for Islamic Studies is 'Le patrimoine islamique en al-Andalus', focusing on the Islamic heritage in al-Andalus. This theme invites scholars to delve into the rich historical and cultural legacy of Islamic civilization in the Iberian Peninsula. The Medicine category for 2028 will concentrate on 'Les thérapies à base d’ARN', or RNA-based therapies, noting advanced research and developments in this rapidly evolving field of medical science. These themes guide the selection process for candidates in their respective fields, ensuring a focused recognition of significant advancements and scholarship. The specific thematic focus for each prize year encourages deeper exploration and innovation within critical areas of study.
Submission Guidelines
Candidacies for the King Faisal International Prize are exclusively accepted from academic and scientific institutions and centers. Individual applications are not permitted; nominations must originate from recognized bodies with established research and educational credentials. This requirement ensures that candidates are endorsed by institutions capable of assessing their significant contributions in their respective fields, thereby maintaining the high standards and credibility of the awards. The General Secretariat emphasizes that nominations should accurately reflect the nominee's impact on their discipline, whether in Service to Islam, Islamic Studies, Arabic Language and Literature, Medicine, or Sciences. Institutions are encouraged to submit detailed dossiers supporting their nominees' qualifications and achievements, adhering to the specific criteria outlined for each prize category. The application period, which spans seven months from September 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, provides nominators sufficient time to compile full and compelling submissions. The process is meticulously designed to uphold the prestige and academic rigor of the awards, ensuring that only the most deserving candidates are considered for this esteemed international recognition.
Secretary General's Remarks
The King Faisal International Prize General Secretariat announced the opening of candidacies on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. This announcement initiated the nomination phase for the upcoming 2028 awards. The announcement detailed the specific themes for several prize categories for the 2028 edition, providing clear guidelines for prospective nominators. For the Arabic Language and Literature category, the chosen theme is 'La littérature arabe dans la perspective des études comparatives', focusing on Arabic literature from a comparative studies perspective. This theme encourages a broader, interdisciplinary approach to the study of Arabic literary traditions. Meanwhile, the Sciences category for 2028 will concentrate on 'Biologie', or Biology, inviting nominations that showcase new research and discoveries within the vast field of biological sciences. These themes guide the selection process, ensuring that nominations align with specific areas of academic and scientific inquiry for the upcoming awards and reflect contemporary advancements and scholarly priorities.
