Lohfert Prize 2026: Innovative Solutions for the Patient Journey Sought
The Christoph Lohfert Foundation has announced the Lohfert Prize 2026, focusing on innovative projects that improve the patient journey across institutions. The prize, endowed with €20,000, is supported by Stefan Schwartze, the German Government’s Commissioner for Patients’ Rights.
The Christoph Lohfert Foundation has launched the call for applications for the Lohfert Prize 2026 under the theme “Rethinking the Patient Journey – Innovative Solutions for Cross-Institutional Patient Management.” The foundation is seeking projects that design healthcare from the patient’s perspective. The prize is open to hospitals, healthcare facilities, companies, and start-ups in the German-speaking world, with applications due by February 28, 2026.
Patients often navigate multiple healthcare settings, risking information loss and care gaps. The Lohfert Prize 2026 recognizes projects that bridge these challenges and foster collaboration across institutions. Stefan Schwartze, the German Government’s Commissioner for Patients’ Rights, is the patron of the prize and emphasizes the importance of patient-centered approaches: “To future-proof healthcare, we must design it from the patients’ perspective—across all boundaries.”
The foundation is looking for innovative projects in areas such as digital patient records, telemedicine, or patient-centered organizational development. Submitted concepts should be tested or in implementation and demonstrably enhance patient centricity, quality, and transparency. The award ceremony will take place on September 9, 2026, during the Hamburg Health Economy Congress.
Since 2012, the Christoph Lohfert Foundation has been committed to patient-centered, quality-oriented healthcare. The Lohfert Prize is awarded annually to projects that improve patient orientation and safety.
Source: www.christophlohfert-stiftung.de/lohfert-preis/ausschreibung-2026