CICRNF - Prize "Achille Dedé"

Premio "Achille Dedé"

A one-off prize of 2,000 EUR will be awarded for the best dissertation, along with a second prize of 1,000 EUR, bringing the total prize money to 3,000 euros. The prize is awarded for a completed thesis on natural methods of fertility regulation, i.e. on ways of determining the fertile and infertile days of the female cycle without the use of medication. The prize will be presented during a training event organised by the Italian Association of Centres for Natural Family Planning (CICRNF). The association has been awarding the prize every year since 1994 in memory of the paediatrician and sexologist Achille Dedé.

Who can apply

• Your degree: You have written a final dissertation for a Bachelor’s, Master’s, specialisation or PhD programme, or a diploma at a specialist college, such as a college for family counsellors.
• Where you studied: You wrote and defended your final thesis at an Italian university during the academic year 2024–2025.
• Topic: Your dissertation examines natural contraception from a biological, medical, psychosexual, educational, sociological, biostatistical or ethical perspective.
• Nationality: Open to people of all nationalities, age groups and genders.
• Previous winners: You have not yet won this prize and are not a member of the CICRNF’s Executive Board or jury.

How to apply

Please send your final thesis, an abstract of no more than 1,500 words and your degree certificate by post and email to the CICRNF office in Verona. The closing date for entries is 30 April 2026. A jury comprising members of the association’s scientific committee and external experts will assess the entries and select the winners.

How realistic are your chances?

The selection criteria for this prize are very strict. Your dissertation must have been written at an Italian university and must deal specifically with natural family planning, meaning that only a small number of graduates qualify each year. If your thesis deals precisely with this topic, you will be up against only a few other competitors. As only two prizes are awarded, a compelling thesis that is relevant to the topic has a genuine chance of winning.