THE SONNING PRIZE

Denmark's largest cultural award

The Sonning Prize is the largest cultural award in Denmark. It was founded by author and editor C.J. Sonning (1879-1937). The Prize amount is DKK 1 million and supports the promotion of European culture. Following the wish of C.J. Sonning, a prize recipient "found to have done commendable work for the benefit of European culture", is elected by the board of the Sonning-Foundation on the recommendation of a committee under the University of Copenhagen.

The Prize is normally awarded every other year. The ceremony takes place at the University of Copenhagen – preferably on 19 April, C.J. Sonning's birthday.

Employees at European Universities may nominate candidates for the Sonning Prize

To nominate candidates, please send a brief proposal (no longer than one page) describing the candidate’s significance for European culture along with candidate curricula vitae.

Deadline for submission of nominees is May 15th 2026, at 16.00 (CET)

The Sonning Prize Committee, appointed by the Board of the University of Copenhagen, may request additional recommendations for the candidates the committee chooses to proceed with.

It is the Board of the Sonning-Foundation that, based on recommendations made by the Sonning Prize committee, selects the recipient of the Sonning Prize.

Nominations are sent to:
The Rector of the University of Copenhagen
Krystalgade 25
1172 Copenhagen K
Denmark
Email: rekstab-jura@adm.ku.dk

See list of Sonning Prize recipients