The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) has opened nominations for the 2027 Sepp Heim Award, which recognises individuals or organisations that have made significant contributions to prosthetics and orthotics (P&O) services, training and care in less-resourced settings. Nominations close on 30 December 2026, and the award will be formally recognised at the ISPO 21st World Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, in March 2027.
What is the Sepp Heim Award?
ISPO says the award is named in honour of Sepp Heim for his lifelong dedication and visionary leadership in the global P&O community, and celebrates those who embody excellence, service and impact. According to ISPO’s awards page, it was established in 2021, and past recipients are Carson Harte (2021), Sandra Sexton (2023) and Christian Schlierf (2025).
Who can be nominated for the Sepp Heim Award?
Both individuals and organisations are eligible. ISPO invites ISPO members and National Member Societies to make the nominations, so candidates are put forward by others. The announcement lists three areas of contribution: impactful service, meaning an exceptional commitment to expanding access to affordable, quality mobility and rehabilitation care in less-resourced settings; education and training, meaning outstanding contributions to local capacity, workforce training or institutional development; and innovation and leadership, meaning pioneering efforts that improve the quality of life of people with physical disabilities.
Key dates
The submission deadline is 30 December 2026. The award will be recognised at the Bangkok congress in March 2027. Nominations are made through the online form linked in ISPO’s announcement.
IMEA CPO Perspective
The award’s focus on less-resourced settings makes it directly relevant to the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and South Asia, where limb-fitting centres, training schools and NGOs often carry the main burden of care. Many of the people and organisations that have built services in these countries, such as school founders, clinic leaders and humanitarian programmes, are rarely visible outside their own networks. ISPO members and National Member Societies in the region can use this call to put forward colleagues whose work on access, training or institution-building deserves wider recognition. Because the nomination route runs through ISPO members and societies, groups that want a candidate considered may need to approach their national society or an ISPO member early, ahead of the December deadline.
Related coverage on IMEA CPO includes the ISPO World Congress 2027 programme highlights for CPOs, the history of TATCOT in Tanzania, and O&P Business News.
Suggested hyperlinks / sources
- ISPO awards page (background and past recipients)
- ISPO: eulogy for Sepp Heim
- IMEA CPO: ISPO World Congress 2027 programme
- IMEA CPO: ISPO 21st World Congress 2027 event listing