What is the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize?

Distinctive features of the Prize
The Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize was established in 2006 by the Government of Japan in honor of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi (1876-1928), an outstanding Japanese medical scientist who at the onset of 20th century, at the time when infectious diseases were raging, dedicated his life to bacteriological research and died while studying yellow fever in Africa.
This prize is an international prize that shines the light on fundamental medical research, clinical research, and medical services for Africa, and to honor individuals and organizations that are at the frontline of continuing challenge to solve the world’s common issues of combatting infectious disease and thus contributing to the health and welfare of the Africans and of all humankind.
Nominations are being collected until September 20th, 2024 for the upcoming 5th Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize which will be awarded in 2025.
Contents of the Prize
A citation, a medal and 100 million yen are awarded at the ceremony.
Role of WHO Regional Office for Africa
WHO Regional Office for Africa is providing secretarial assistance to the Selection Committee for one of the two prize categories - the Medical Services Category (the other one being the Medical Research Category).
For details, please refer to:
Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Nomination Guidelines (5th Prize) (on this website)
Cabinet Office, Government of Japan, Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize page (English): https://www.cao.go.jp/noguchisho/english/index.html

Important points

Objectives
The Prize aims to honor individuals with outstanding achievements in the fields of medical research and medical services to combat infectious and other diseases in Africa, thus contributing to the health and welfare of the African people and of all humankind.
Scope
  • 【Medical Research Category】 Basic medical research / Clinical medical research / Life science research closely related to medicine
  • 【Medical Services Category】 Field-level medical/public health activities to combat diseases and advance public health
Eligibility and nomination criteria
For details, please refer to Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Nomination Guidelines (5th Prize) (on this website)
  • Only nominations by a third party are accepted; self-nominations are not allowed.
  • Nominations are limited to people who are still living. No distinction will be made based on nationality, age or gender. In case of nominating an organization, nominations are limited to currently active organizations.
Frequency of awards
  • The award ceremony is held to coincide with the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). After the 3rd Prize, award ceremonies are planned to be held once in 3 years.
First Award Ceremony May2008 TICAD IV
Second Award Ceremony June 2013 TICAD V Yokohama
Third Award Ceremony August 2019 TICAD 7 Tokyo
Fourth Award Ceremony August 2022 TICAD 8 Tunisia
Fifth Award Ceremony August 2025 TICAD 9 Yokohama
Selection Process