The Sonning Prize

Denmark's largest cultural award

The Sonning Prize is the largest cultural award in Denmark and was founded by author and editor C.J. Sonning (1879-1937). The Prize amount is DKK 1 million.

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.

See list of Sonning Prize recipients

Den franske kemiker og fader til molekylær gastronomi Hervé This modtog Sonning-Prisen i 2025 og holder her sin takketale i Festsalen på Københavns Universitet. Foto: Nikolai Linares.
The French chemist and father of molecular gastronomy Hervé This is giving his acceptance speech after receiving the Sonning Prize in 2025 in the Ceremonial Hall at the University of Copenhagen. Photo: Nikolai Linares.


Employees at European Universities may nominate candidates for the Sonning Prize

The next award ceremony will be in 2027. The round for submitting proposals for the 2027 award ceremony is now closed.

It will be announced on this page when the round for submitting proposals for the 2029 award ceremony opens in early 2028.