Applications can be submitted using the application form that you can find by clicking here.

Deadline for applications: April 30^th

If you are not a member of the WADD but would like to submit your candidature, you can register as a member of the WADD (25€ per year) by clicking here.

As part of the «Agreement of the Americas,» signed in January 2024 between the World Psychiatric Association, American Psychiatric Association, APAL, World Association on Dual Disorders, Canadian Psychiatric Association, American Society of Hispanic Psychiatry, Warming Mental Health, Promoting Mental Health in Females, and the Spanish Society on Dual Disorders and Mexican Consortium of Neuropsycho-pharmacology, the inaugural project includes a tribute to Professor Pedro Ruiz, recognising his significant contributions to psychiatry through two awards.

Background to the Awards

Professor Pedro Ruiz was a founding member and first president of the World Association on Dual Disorders (WADD), as well as a past president of both the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the World Psychiatric Association (WPA). After his passing, WADD governing bodies established these awards to honour his legacy, promote excellence in psychiatry, and inspire hope for individuals suffering from mental health challenges. These awards symbolise international recognition of his efforts to integrate psychiatry and train future professionals.

Award Categories

• “Pedro Ruiz Academic Fellowship on Psychiatry and Dual Disorders”: Recognises senior professionals with a distinguished career in psychiatry and dual disorders.
• “In the Footsteps of Pedro Ruiz” Award: Honors younger professionals making notable contributions to psychiatry and dual disorders.

Both awards acknowledge contributions but do not include grants or scholarships.

The “Pedro Ruiz Academic Fellowship on Dual Disorders” is an award for senior professionals that honors a career dedicated to dual disorders. The “In the Footsteps of Pedro Ruiz” AWARD is an award for younger professionals working in dual disorder settings.

The two awards are recognition awards and do not involve any grant or scholarship. The person selected will have distinguished themselves in the Dual Disorders field and will be recognized for having made significant contributions.

Nominees can apply for themselves to the Award by completing the form | clicking here. |.

Candidates’ selection methodology and criteria

Nominees are evaluated by an Evaluation Committee based on the following:

1. The nominee’s country must have an active Psychiatry and Addiction program (Dual Disorders) operating for at least two years.
2. Academic Fellowship Award candidates must have 20+ years of experience in dual disorder research and treatment.
3. “In the Footsteps” Award candidates must be under 45 years old with a minimum of five years of relevant experience.
4. Nominees can be treatment providers, researchers, or educators, with demonstrable involvement in dual disorders.
5. Contributions must have significantly impacted the field within their country or internationally.
6. Required documentation includes a 200-word summary of achievements, a nomination form, and two letters of support detailing the nominee’s contributions.

The Evaluation Committee will be composed of four members—two appointed by WADD and two by APAL—and a Chair, who will have a casting vote in the event of a tie.

They will select one recipient for the Academic Fellowship Award and one for the “In the Footsteps” Award.

Awards Presentation

The awards will be presented during the APAL´s Congress opening ceremony, which will take place in November 2026 (date and time to be confirmed). Recipients will receive complimentary registration and an Academic Fellowship Award.