The Ayliffe Award is a lifetime achievement award recognising individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to infection prevention and control over the course of their career.
The award is named in memory of Professor Graham Ayliffe (1926–2017), a pioneering medical microbiologist whose work has had a lasting impact on IPC.
He co-developed the 6-step hand hygiene technique, widely used in UK hospitals and endorsed by the World Health Organization. He was also a strong supporter of IPS and its predecessor, ICNA.
The award was established by the IPS Board in 2016, with Professor Ayliffe as its first recipient.
Nominations are will open for 2026 in May.
You can nominate someone for the Ayliffe Award using this form.
This award recognises individuals who have made a unique and outstanding contribution, usually at a National or International level to the services of Infection Prevention and Control during their career.
The nominated individual does not have to be an IPS member but they must be nominated by an IPS member
Nominations must be submitted using the Ayliffe Award online nomination form by the annual deadline.
The Ayliffe Award is reserved for exceptional circumstances and is not necessarily awarded every year. Recipients are awarded at the discretion of the Honours Committee.
When awarded, the recipient is announced at the IPS Annual Conference.
