Professor Katalin Karikó, a former student of József Attila University (JATE) – one of the legal predecessors of the University of Szeged (SZTE) – and currently a professor at SZTE, donated the replica of her 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, along with the accompanying monetary award of over $500,000, to her alma mater. Using the donated funds, Professor Katalin Karikó (as the Donor) and the University of Szeged (as the Administering Institution) have established the JATE Award.
The founders of the JATE Award invite members of the university community to submit nominations for the most deserving candidates.
The JATE Award will be conferred in three categories and may be awarded to three individuals:
-
A current student of the University of Szeged, enrolled both at the time of nomination and at the time the award decision is made
-
A current instructor of the University of Szeged, employed enrolled both at the time of nomination and at the time the award decision is made
-
A former student or instructor of the University of Szeged or its predecessor, József Attila University (JATE)
Nominations may be submitted by current and former students and instructors of the University of Szeged and its predecessor, József Attila University (JATE).
Nominations will be reviewed, and recipients selected, by a five-member Selection Committee appointed by the Administering Institution and chaired by the Donor.
The Donor serves as the Chair of the Selection Committee. The other members are selected by the Administering Institution from among current and former instructors and current students, with the Donor holding veto rights over the final composition of the Committee.
The Selection Committee will select the JATE Award recipients from among the nominees by majority vote. In the event of an evenly split vote, the Donor will make the final decision.
The Donor also holds veto rights regarding the conferral of the JATE Award.
Each Recipient of the JATE Award will receive a cash prize of $5,000, a unique artwork that reflects the spirit of the award, and a certificate of honor.
The Recipient’s name will also be engraved on the artwork created specifically for the JATE Award. In addition, the certificate of honor will be signed by Katalin Karikó, founder of the award, and by the Vice-Chair of the Selection Committee.
The winners of the first JATE Awards will be announced on October 12, 2025 – a date that also marks the anniversary of Katalin Karikó’s first return visit to Szeged on October 12, 2023, following the announcement of her Nobel Prize.
The JATE Award will be presented by the Donor, Professor Katalin Karikó – or, if she is unavailable, by a representative designated by her – at the University of Szeged’s University Day event on November 11.
