An international call for those who dare to apply their discipline to the big questions.
Francisco de Vitoria University and the Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation recognize research and teaching projects that foster dialogue among the sciences, philosophy, and theology.
The Razón Abierta Awards recognize research and teaching projects that broaden the horizons of a discipline through dialogue with philosophy and/or theology.
Following Benedict XVI, we understand “open reason” to be a way of using reason that seeks to comprehend reality in all its breadth. It draws on rigour methods specific to each science, but it is also open to questions that a particular discipline cannot answer on its own.
Every candidate's work must address four major issues within its discipline.
The anthropological question examines what conception of the individual and society our knowledge and its applications presuppose.
Epistemology examines what we can know through each discipline and what questions arise when we reach the limits of its methodology.
Ethical considerations address the purposes of each scientific discipline, the responsibility of those who conduct research or teach, and the consequences of their applications.
The question of meaning connects academic activity to life's ultimate questions and to what truly matters.
The Razón Abierta Awards are organized by Francisco de Vitoria University, through the Razón Abierta Institute, in collaboration with the Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation.
Articles and books—whether published or unpublished—that scientifically examine a specific issue from the perspective of open reason may be submitted.
Submissions must establish an in-depth dialogue between a specific discipline and philosophy and/or theology; adhere to the rigour methodology characteristic of the field of study; address questions concerning the human person, truth, the good, and meaning; and have been produced within the five years prior to the call for submissions.
University academic programs and teaching initiatives that promote the well-rounded education of students within a particular discipline may be submitted.
The application must explain how open-ended questions are incorporated and provide evidence or a system for measuring the results achieved by students.
Among other formats, the following will be accepted:
The following are eligible for the Razón Abierta Awards:
The call for submissions is open to any academic discipline:
The 8th edition will award four prizes of 25,000 euros each, distributed among the Research and Teaching categories. In addition to the cash prize, the winners will be invited to:
The jury may also award special mentions. The recipients will be invited to the seminar and the ceremony, with their travel and lodging expenses covered.
Researchers and professors from various disciplines and countries have been recognized for pushing the boundaries of their fields of knowledge and engaging them in dialogue with the big questions about truth, the human person, the good, and meaning.
No. Professors, researchers, and institutions from any university and any country may participate. What matters is that the work establishes a rigorous dialogue between an academic discipline and philosophy and/or theology.
Yes. Collaborative projects are accepted. The application must identify the coordinator or principal investigator and include the résumés of all authors.
Yes. Academic institutions and research institutes may participate on their own behalf.
That is not necessary. The Research category accepts both published and unpublished articles and books.
The submitted paper may be written in Spanish, English, Italian, or French. The abstract and supporting document must be submitted in Spanish or English.
Only works created during the five years prior to the June 2026 call for submissions may be submitted.
You must explain why the paper aligns with the "open reason" approach and how it integrates questions about the person, truth, the good, and meaning. It should be between 3,000 and 8,000 words in length.
Yes. When artificial intelligence systems have been used, it must be explained at which stages they were used, for what purpose, and using which model and version.
The ruling will be published on July 7, 2027, on the Instituto Razón Abierta website.
The seminar and the awards ceremony will be held at the Vatican over two consecutive days.
Yes. Travel and lodging expenses for the winners and authors who receive an honorable mention will be covered by the Instituto Razón Abierta.
The deadline is March 10, 2027.
Email: premiosrazonabierta@ufv.es
