The prize will be awarded to a researcher who has made a significant contribution to understanding of the interactions between social structure and technology in prehistoric populations.

The Fyssen Foundation is a French charitable organisation that supports research into the processes underlying and leading to cognition, including work in such disciplines as ethology, palaeontology, archaeology, anthropology, psychology, logic and neuroscience.

The Fyssen International Prize recognises world-leading researchers who have distinguished themselves in fundamental research, in specified areas related to cognition.

Each year’s competition focuses on a specific topic. The topic for the 2026 edition is: Technology and the Social Organisation of Prehistoric Human Groups.

Each candidate must be nominated by a recognised scientist. The prize value is €100,000.