Mogens Schou Awards

The tradition of the Mogens Schou Award began at the International Conference on Bipolar Disorder (ICBD) in recognition of Mogens Schou, MD for his establishment of the first efficacious treatment for bipolar disorder and for his contributions to the field of psychiatry and the treatment of bipolar disorder over his lifetime. The Award, initiated by the course directors of the ICBD, has become an ongoing feature of the annual meetings of the ISBD.

The Mogens Schou Awards recognize achievement in the following three categories:

• Research
• Education and Teaching
• Public Service & Advocacy

Robert Post Mentoring Award

Mentoring involves the cultivation of skills and the creation of pathways for the development of those that are junior and less experienced. It takes many forms including teaching, research supervision, and the provision of direct support and advice. More broadly, it is the modeling of behaviors and ideals that are inculcated into professional standards and the nurturing and development of those around you.

This award acknowledges these efforts, both direct and indirect in the field of mood disorders and recognizes the importance of mentoring. It has been named in honor of Professor Robert Post, not only because of his seminal contributions to research in bipolar disorders that span neurobiology to clinical phenomenology, but also because of his lifelong commitment to mentoring those around him. He has facilitated the careers of those that are more junior by the provision of advice, support, and guidance and perhaps equally by demonstrating these skills in his work.

The award will therefore be bestowed on individuals that have shown a similar passion and enthusiasm for mentoring and have done so in the field of mood disorders over a substantive period of time. Nominations can be made by ISBD members and special consideration will be given to nominations from mentees who carefully outline the mentoring activities of the individual that they have proposed. The purpose of this Award is to highlight the importance of mentoring, to acknowledge the contributions made by Professor Robert Post, and to ensure that mentoring remains a key rule within the mission of ISBD.

ISBD Kupfer-Frank Distinctive Contribution Award

Under the scientific direction of Dr. David J. Kupfer and Dr. Ellen Frank, the International Conference on Bipolar Disorder (ICBD) was hosting its 3rd meeting when Dr. Kupfer provided some initial seed funding and guidance for what would become the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD). Were it not for this singular contribution, the ISBD would not exist today.  Dr. Kupfer would go on to become the Founding President of the ISBD, and Dr. Frank would become a key member of the organization. Moreover, after its foundation, Dr. Kupfer and Dr. Frank continued to nurture the organization by providing opportunities within the context of the ICBD meeting for ISBD members to conduct Society business, to have a booth to exhibit and recruit new members, and to provide in turn, a recognizable forum for ISBD members to present new data and findings.  Finally, both Dr. Kupfer and Dr. Frank have served on the organization’s former ISBD Board of Governance, a body which provided  oversight and counsel to the officers of the Society to ensure a stable and secure future for the Organization.

In recognition of the above contributions, an award in the name of Dr. Kupfer and Dr. Frank was established in 2013.  The award is overseen and administered by the Awards Committee. 

The purpose of this award is to recognize those members within the ISBD who have made a fundamental and lasting positive impact on the mission and objectives of the Society

Mogens Schou Awards

The final decision regarding the Awards will be made by the ISBD Awards Committee after careful consideration of the candidates in each category.  

The Mogens Schou Awards recognize achievement in the following three categories:

1. Research
2. Education and Teaching
3. Public Service and Advocacy

How to Make a Nomination

Candidates must be nominated  by a current ISBD member. Past recipients (see list below) are not eligible to be nominated or win in any category of this award. The merits of the nominee are the primary factor considered in the review process; however, we encourage the inclusion of women, early career professionals, and participants from diverse geographic regions in the overall nominations. This reflects the continuing commitment of the ISBD to seek excellence through inclusion. 

The 2026 ISBD Awards Nominations are now CLOSED. 

We will be announcing the winners at the 2026 conference in Vancouver, Canada. 

Please email Mary Miller (marym@isbd.org) with questions. 

Robert Post Mentoring Award

Candidates must be nominated  by a current ISBD member. Past recipients (see list below) are not eligible to be nominated or win in any category of this award. The merits of the nominee are the primary factor considered in the review process; however, we encourage the inclusion of women, early career professionals, and participants from diverse geographic regions in the overall nominations. This reflects the continuing commitment of the ISBD to seek excellence through inclusion. 

The 2026 ISBD Awards Nominations are now CLOSED. 

We will be announcing the winners at the 2026 conference in Vancouver, Canada. 

Please email Mary Miller (marym@isbd.org) with questions.

ISBD Kupfer-Frank Distinctive Contribution Award

This is a legacy award which will be given only when a suitable candidate is identified by the Awards Committee.  The final decision regarding the Award will be made by the ISBD Awards Committee after careful consideration of the candidates.  If an award is to be issued, it will be presented by the ISBD President during the Awards Ceremony of the ISBD meeting in the year following the one in which the nomination was made. The identification of the recipient will be held in confidence until it is announced at the Awards Ceremony. The Award may also be given posthumously.

If you have a question about the ISBD Kupfer-Frank Distinctive Contribution Award, please contact Mary Miller at maym@isbd.org.