The European Federation for Science Journalism (EFSJ) is delighted to announce the finalists for the European Science Journalist of the Year Awards 2026.
The award, run by EFSJ with support from Elsevier, celebrates journalists whose work has promoted excellence and creativity in science journalism, is innovative, has societal impact, and is independent and objective.
This competition was only made possible thanks to the expert assessment of this year’s judges Andrea White, Christopher Weingart, Dr. Dilek Gürsoy, and Dean Burnett. They had the tough job of picking frontrunners from a list of excellent submissions sent by national science journalism associations or through self-nominations where there are no member national science journalism associations.
The winners of the European Science Journalist of the Year Awards 2026 will be announced on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, during the European Conference of Science Journalists at the University of Hannover, Germany. Check out this year’s program or register here: https://wissenswerte.
The finalists for the 2026 awards are, in no particular order:
Linda Samplonius and Joseph (Jop) De Vrieze, presented by the Dutch VWN (Vereniging voor wetenschapsjournalistiek en –communicatie Nederland).
Jop de Vrieze is a biomedically-trained independent science journalist since 2008, specializing in stories where science and society intersect. Characterized by a critical, in-depth, and narrative approach, a clear style, and an eye for human details on topics such as gut microbiome, vaccinations, scientific fraud, and the COVID-19 pandemic, interspersed with lighter articles on lifestyle and health. Published in a.o. De Volkskrant, De Groene, Science Magazine, New Scientist and Nature. Two time winner of Dutch journalist of the year and winner of AAAS Kavli Science Journalism award 2016. Founder of the Amsterdam based journalistic collective Bureau Wibaut and organizer of the biennial Golden Freelancer Award ceremony.
Linda Samplonius is a Dutch freelance journalist and author with over fifteen years of experience across print, digital, and audio media. Known for her narrative, human-centred approach, she translates complex topics in science, health, and societal concerns into accessible stories for broad audiences, from long covid to lifestyle. Published in major Dutch news outlets as RTL Nieuws and De Groene. She has published two books, co-authored several others, and is currently working on a third. Her debut book was shortlisted for the Hebban|Crimezone debut prize.
Read these finalists’ articles here (in Dutch):
https://www.groene.nl/artikel/mistig-brein-haperende-spieren
https://www.groene.nl/artikel/waarom-zou-ik-niet-meer-op-het-podium-willen-staan
Sigrid März and Martin Rücker, presented by Germany’s WPK (Wissenschaftspressekonferenz)
März and Rücker founded Investigativstation – a journalistic collective – November 2024. It produces evidence-based, politically relevant and investigative journalism on health issues to a high standard.
Rücker works as a freelance investigative journalist in Berlin. One of his main areas is Freedom of Information requests and, on occasion, enforcing his right to information through the courts. März is a freelance science journalist and cell biologist writing for various media outlets on medicine, health and biotechnology. At MedWatch, she headed the editorial team. Both have received numerous awards for their work.
Read these finalists’ work here (in German):
https://www.spektrum.de/news/bitterstoffe-als-cholesterin-senker-hilft-bitterliebe-wirklich/2270482
Arnaud Robert, presented by the Swiss ASJS (Association Suisse du journalisme scientifique)
Arnaud Robert is a Swiss journalist, filmmaker and writer. His work has been published by National Geographic, Le Monde and Le Temps, among others, and until 2026 he was a regular contributor to Swiss public broadcaster RTS. He is also the author of several books and has directed or co-directed four documentary films.
In 2022, together with photographer Paolo Woods, he created Happy Pills, a documentary film and exhibition exploring the relationship between medication and the pursuit of happiness. Robert has received two Swiss Press Awards: in 2020 for his investigation into the global “toilet revolution”, and in 2026, when he was named Swiss Journalist of the Year for Mon corps électrique, an RTS podcast in which he investigates, from inside the trial, how a groundbreaking clinical experiment attempts to repair his own tetraplegic body.
Read this finalists’ work here (in French):
https://www.rts.ch/audio-podcast/2025/audio/mon-corps-electrique-la-proposition-ep1-29048483.html
https://www.rts.ch/audio-podcast/2025/audio/mon-corps-electrique-partie-de-billard-ep3-29048494.html
https://www.rts.ch/audio-podcast/2025/audio/mon-corps-electrique-la-chute-ep5-29048496.html
