Nominations close 01 June 2026. Following this, AMI's internal awards panel will evaluate the nominations and decide on a winner, which will be announced on 01 September 2026. Only AMI members can nominate for this award.
The John Snow Public Health Innovation Prize recognises outstanding achievements in applied microbiology that deliver measurable improvements in public health and environmental health outcomes.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), this award celebrates professionals, researchers, and innovators whose work addresses key One Health challenges, strengthens access to safe water and sanitation, and translates microbiological insight into real-world public health solutions.
The prize recognises applied microbiology that has moved beyond research or pilot activity to achieve tangible impact: improving health outcomes, reducing disease risk, and supporting resilient, sustainable water systems.
Award benefits
The recipient of the John Snow Public Health Innovation Prize will receive:
- £3,000 in prize money
- A commemorative award recognising their achievement
- The opportunity to present or chair a session at an AMI conference, webinar, roundtable, or similar event
Horizon Awards nomination criteria
-
Nominations for the 2026 Horizon Awards close on 01 June 2026.
-
Nominees do not need to be AMI members.
-
Nominators must hold an active AMI membership at the time of nomination, except for the Dorothy Jones Diversity & Inclusion Award and the Christiana Figueres Policy to Practice Award, for which AMI membership is not required.
-
Self-nomination is permitted and encouraged, subject to the membership requirements above. This helps ensure individuals from all parts of the microbiology community have a fair opportunity to be recognised for their achievements.
-
The following individuals are not eligible for nomination:
-
Trustees of AMI
-
AMI staff members
-
Members of AMI’s Finance, Audit and Risk Subcommittee
-
-
For each Horizon Award application, nominees will be asked to provide 100–250 words per question.
Applied Microbiology International is committed to recognising excellence across all areas of microbiology. We welcome nominations that reflect the diversity of the microbiology community and particularly encourage nominations from under-represented groups and from individuals with diverse or non-traditional career pathways.
To make a nomination, please use the NOMINATE button on this page.
AMI reserves the right to rescind any prize where there are reasonable grounds to do so. All nominators will be required to confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the nominee’s professional standing presents no confirmed or potential impediment to receiving the award.
Who should apply:
This award is open to individuals, teams, or organisations working in applied microbiology whose work advances public health, water safety, or sanitation, including:
- Researchers and academics in microbiology, public health, environmental science, or related fields who have conducted impactful research or developed innovative technologies or methodologies
- Public health professionals implementing microbiology-based solutions in healthcare or community settings
- Environmental scientists addressing water quality, sanitation, and environmental health using microbiological approaches
- Innovators and entrepreneurs developing microbiology-enabled products or services that improve health or water systems
- NGOs and non-profit organisations delivering microbiological solutions for public health and environmental sustainability
- Interdisciplinary teams combining expertise across biology, engineering, data science, policy, or environmental sciences to address issues related to SDG 3 and SDG 6
Together, these contributions demonstrate the essential role of applied microbiology in improving public health outcomes, safeguarding water quality, and strengthening sustainable sanitation systems. The John Snow Public Health Innovation Prize celebrates individuals and teams delivering meaningful, real-world impact across health, water, and environmental sustainability.
How this award aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
The award recognises contributions aligned with the following SDG 3 targets:
- Target 3.3 – Infectious Diseases: Preventing, detecting, and controlling infectious diseases through applied microbiology, including diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments
- Target 3.4 – Noncommunicable Diseases: Advancing understanding of the human microbiome and its role in chronic and noncommunicable diseases
- Target 3.8 – Universal Health Coverage: Supporting the development and accessibility of essential medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics
- Target 3.9 – Environmental Health: Reducing health risks linked to pollution and environmental contamination through microbiological solutions
- Target 3.b – Medicines and Vaccines: Driving innovation in microbiology-enabled medicines and vaccines
- Target 3.d – Emergency Preparedness: Strengthening surveillance, early warning systems, and response to emerging infectious diseases and pandemics
Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
The award also aligns with the following SDG 6 targets:
- Target 6.1 – Safe Drinking Water: Ensuring microbial safety of drinking water through detection, treatment, and monitoring of waterborne pathogens
- Target 6.2 – Sanitation and Hygiene: Improving sanitation outcomes through microbiological understanding of waste systems and pathogen control
- Target 6.3 – Water Quality Improvement: Enhancing water quality via microbiological treatment and bioremediation strategies
- Target 6.4 – Water-use Efficiency: Supporting sustainable water use through bio-based treatment, reuse, and recycling solutions
- Target 6.5 – Integrated Water Resource Management: Informing evidence-based, integrated water management using microbiological data
- Target 6.6 – Water-related Ecosystems: Protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems through management of microbial communities
- Target 6.a – International Cooperation: Supporting global capacity-building in water and sanitation through microbiological expertise
- Target 6.b – Community Participation: Strengthening community engagement and awareness of microbial risks in water and sanitation systems