The call for registration to the most important event established by the Ministry of Public Health (Minsap) is open until March 28. This event rewards the most significant results in research related to the health sector in Cuba: the Annual Health Award Competition (PAS).
The contest accepts scientific works completed between January 1 and December 31, 2025. It is possible for an author to register more than one research project, provided that different scientific results are addressed, as well as works by groups of authors.
All categories may participate: doctors, dentists, psychologists, graduates in nursing and health technology, pharmacists, biochemists, biologists, engineers, economists, other professionals, as well as technicians and medical science students who work or conduct research in the health field and related topics.
The award gives special consideration to Medical Sciences students, who may compete with original works published in Cuban or foreign student scientific journals or works awarded at the National Scientific Conference of Medical Sciences.
To encourage greater depth and scientific rigor, about 15 research lines are proposed for development. Among them stand out Primary Health Care (PHC); maternal-child, sexual, and reproductive health; surveillance and vector control; communicable and non-communicable diseases and the introduction of new therapeutic lines; disabilities and development of physical and mental aptitudes in children; addictions, quality of life, and mental health.
The competition categories are Scientific Theory, Basic and Applied Research, Technological Innovation, Scientific Work in Medical Education, Health Systems and Services Research, Scientific Article, and Book.
Recognized scientific personalities in the health field, appointed by the responsible entity, will be in charge of evaluating the works in competition. In this way, the Provincial Council of Scientific Health Societies will establish the conditions for the jury to work virtually or in person. This contest will culminate, at each phase, with a scientific session in which the works classified up to the last analysis round will be presented.
Due to its complexity, the event progresses through several phases, from the registration of works in provincial contests from January 26 to March 28, while the evaluation by provincial juries will continue until May 16. The final scientific sessions of the provincial contests will take place between May 19 and June 27.
As a point of interest, the PAS includes three special categories: Specialty Completion Works (TTE), Master’s, and Doctoral Theses. For the first two categories, works must be presented at a provincial contest, and those awarded at this stage will compete at the national level. However, the doctoral thesis category is convened only at the national level and evaluated by a special jury for this category.
This contest is the most important in the sector because the research and innovation results must contribute to the improvement of health status indicators of the population, the quality and satisfaction with health services, efficiency, sustainability, and development of the sector, as well as the comprehensive training of professionals and students, in accordance with the current needs of the country.
