Comprising of three stages, the PharmaTimes International Clinical Researcher of the Year competition is free to enter and is open to all levels of clinical researchers working within the pharmaceutical industry. The competition recognises and rewards the hard work of clinical researchers from all over the globe, and culminates at a grand gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
If you have any questions about the competition, categories, or the awards ceremony then please contact Luci Sargood - Luci.Sargood@pharmatimes.com
Stage 1: Multiple Choice Questionnaire (MCQ)
14th September 2026 until 22nd January 2027
This is an online multiple-choice questionnaire prepared by the Institute of Clinical Research (ICR) consisting of 20 questions based on ICH/GCP questions. The pass mark to move forward to Stage 3 is 80%. One re-take is allowed.
Stage 2: Clinical Challenge
14th September 2026 until 22nd January 2027
Successful candidates from stage one are invited to complete a category specific 'Clinical Challenge' devised by the competition's Executive Steering Group.
PharmaTimes Media sends all of the entries to the judges without telling them who they have been submitted by.
The authors and the companies they work for are only revealed at a special meeting of the executive steering group – in what is often referred to as ‘the unblinding meeting’.
The top performers are then invited to compete in the finals (Stage 3).
Stage 3: The Finals days
19th March 2027– Singles – Virtual
19th May 2027 – Teams – Live at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading
No preparation is required prior to the finals. Judges are drawn from the competition steering group – and entrants are only judged by people from outside their own organisation.
All finalists receive valuable mentoring and feedback on individual performance from the senior clinical judging panel together with a signed certificate.
Gala Dinner and Awards
20th May 2027
The winners will be announced at the live awards ceremony at The Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
