Awards 2026
Several awards will be given during the next ESSKA Congress in Prague in May 2026. There are three categories:
- ESSKA Special Awards
- ESSKA Journals Awards
- ESSKA Scientific Awards
Deadlines for application and eligibility criteria are indicated for each award below.
A jury will review all submitted abstract and nominations and select the award winners.
The winners will be notified by Spring 2026 and must be present during the 2026 Congress in Prague to accept the award.
Information on timings and the location of the ceremony will be sent to all winners.
If you have any questions regarding your submission please contact the ESSKA office at membership@esska.org.
ESSKA Special Awards
Porto Award for Innovation in Arthroscopy
Sponsored by the City of Porto.
This award is given to stimulate research in arthroscopy and encourage practitioners to publicise their expertise. It recognises the excellence and innovation in arthroscopy.
Eligibility: Open to anyone.
Application through the official Abstracts Submission Platform.
Deadline: September 2025
Award Value: EUR 1,000
NEW! Bruderholz Award for Innovation in Knee Arthroplasty and Osteotomy
Sponsored by Bruderholz Knee Research Group, University Clinic for Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Kantonsspital Baselland.
The Bruderholz Award recognises innovation and scientific excellence in the treatment of degenerative knee conditions, with a focus on osteotomy and knee arthroplasty. It honours the legacy of the Basel school of knee surgery, founded by Professor Werner Müller, former Head of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology at Bruderholz Hospital. This award is dedicated to advancing the next generation of care by promoting research into novel and emerging approaches—such as personalised medicine, robotics, artificial intelligence, and other enabling technologies—that have the potential to transform surgical outcomes and patient care.
Eligibility: Application via the ESSKA Abstract Submission System.
Deadline: September 2025
Award Value: EUR 1,000
ESSKA Young Researcher Award in Clinical Science
Sponsored by ESSKA.
This award is given to the best paper about Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology or Arthroscopy.
Eligibility: Entrants must be under 40 years of age before submission.
Application via the official Abstract Submission Platform.
Deadline: September 2025
Award Value: EUR 1,000
ON-ESSKA Education Scholarships 2026
Applicants must attend the ESSKA Congress and provide input for a new term in the ON Glossary or publish two social media posts tagging ON Foundation and ESSKA on two different social medial channels of their choice (including picture or video).
Eligibility: Open to anyone under 40. Must have a strong interest in orthoregeneration. Must not have received similar ON support within the last 18 months.
Application via the ESSKA Abstract Submission System.
Deadline: November 2025
Award Value: 10x Scolarships of EUR 500 to cover travel expenses/registration to attend the Congress.
ESSKA Journals Awards
KSSTA Best Paper Award 2024-2025 and 2025-2026
This award is given for the best paper published in the KSSTA Journal, one award for each of the 2 years prior to the Congress. The winners will be selected by the editors of the KSSTA Journal.
Eligibility: No Application is necessary.
Award Value: EUR 500 each.
KSSTA Best Paper Award for Systematic Reviews / Meta-Analyses
Sponsored by ESSKA.
This award is given for the best paper published for systematic reviews / meta analysis in the KSSTA Journal during the two years prior to the Congress. The winner will be selected by the editors of the KSSTA journal.
Eligibility: No Application is necessary.
Award Value: EUR 500.
KSSTA Best Reviewer Award 2024-2025
Sponsored by ESSKA Congress 2026.
The Editor-in-Chief selects the winner based on the number and quality of reviews performed, response to invitation and submission efficiency.
Eligibility: No Application is necessary.
Award Value: Free ESSKA Congress registration and a diploma.
KSSTA Best Reviewer Award 2025-2026
Sponsored by ESSKA Congress 2026.
The Editor-in-Chief selects the winner based on the number and quality of reviews performed, response to invitation and submission efficiency.
Eligibility: No Application is necessary.
Award Value: Free ESSKA Congress registration and a diploma.
JEO Best Paper Award 2024-2025 and 2025-2026
These awards are given to the best author who has published in JEO, with one award for each of the two years prior to the Congress. A jury of Editorial Board members will shortlist and select the winner using an independent scoring system.
Eligibility: No Application is necessary.
Award Value: EUR 1,000 each.
JEO Best Reviewer Award 2024-2025
Sponsored by ESSKA Congress 2026.
The Editor-in-Chief selects the winner based on the number and quality of reviews performed, response to invitation and submission efficiency.
Eligibility: No Application is necessary.
Award Value: Free ESSKA Congress registration and a diploma.
JEO Best Reviewer Award 2025-2026
Sponsored by ESSKA Congress 2026.
The Editor-in-Chief selects the winner based on the number and quality of reviews performed, response to invitation and submission efficiency.
Eligibility: No Application is necessary.
Award Value: Free ESSKA Congress registration and a diploma.
ESSKA Scientific Awards
The deadline for submission of abstracts is September 2025.
Abstract submissions for the following awards are through the offical Abstracts Submission Platform.
Theo Van Rens Best Paper Award
Sponsored by ESSKA.
This award is given for the best scientific presentation amongst the six highest ranked abstracts from the review process.
Award Value: EUR 1,500 and additionally, the winning paper will be published in KSSTA.
Best Poster Award
Sponsored by ESSKA.
This award is given to the best posters accepted and displayed at the Congress.
The 10 categories are: Ankle, Basic Science, Elbow/Wrist, Hip/Groin, Knee, Knee Degenerative, Knee Ligaments, Sports Medicine, Shoulder and Shoulder Degenerative.
Award Value: EUR 250 each in 10 different categories.
Basic Scientist Abstract Award
Sponsored by ESSKA.
ESSKA supports Basic Scientists and provides financial support for four selected Basic Scientists enabling them to attend the 22nd ESSKA Congress. Selection will be made by the Basic Science Committee of ESSKA based on the excellence of the basic science abstracts.
Award Value: EUR 500 to cover travel and accommodation expenses to attend the Congress.
Best Abstract Reviewer Award
Sponsored by ESSKA.
This award is given to the top reviewer of the abstracts submitted to the Prague Congress.
Award Value: Free ESSKA Congress registration.
Best Digital Health Science Abstract Award
Sponsored by ESSKA.
This award is given to the best abstract submitted in the category AI/Technological/Engineering Innovation.
Application through the official Abstract Submission Platform. Award Value: EUR 500.
ESSKA-ON Foundation Partnership Award: Best Abstract In Orthoregeneration
Sponsored by ESSKA.
This award is presented to the highest-scoring abstract in Orthoregeneration, as determined by a selected jury. The jury will first choose the top four abstracts, whose authors will be invited to present in a special session during the Congress. Based on these presentations, the jury will then select the final award winner.
Award Value: EUR 2,000.