Do you want to help judge the Lush Prize 2026?
The Lush Prize is the global awards programme that provides £250,000 funding to scientists and campaigners working to replace animal use in research and testing.
In each prize cycle, Lush selects a staff member and a customer to join the main panel of judges who will select the winners. The judging panel is completely independent and decisions are made collectively by the whole panel.
The Customer Judge role is to help represent the views of the wider public – after all, public pressure has been vital in securing non-animal testing policies.
The closing date for applications is Friday 16th January 2026. To become the Lush Prize 2026 Customer Judge you don’t need to be a scientist or an expert – although a good understanding of science or animal campaigning would be a bonus. What is needed is a passion for animal protection, the ability to read and evaluate the various Prize applications (these will all be in English), a collaborative approach to discussions and a desire to reward those involved in innovating the advances in non-animal research methods.
You can learn more about the different prize categories on the Lush Prize website. They include Science, Young Researcher, Training, Political Advocacy, Public Awareness and Major Science Collaboration.
If selected to join the judging panel, you would need to have time available to thoroughly read all 60 shortlisted nominations in advance of the Lush Prize judging day, form opinions on them and represent the voice of the public during judging. You would also need to be available on the 11th and 12th of February to join the other judges in a virtual meeting, reviewing and choosing this year’s prize winners. You can be based anywhere in the world but will need a good understanding of English to read the submissions and join the discussions.
If being the Lush Prize 2026 Customer Judge sounds like your type of thing, email applications to judges@lush.co.uk (with the subject Customer Judge), telling them in your own words what experience you would bring and why you should be the person to represent the public on the judging panel this year. You can enter your application in writing, or feel free to send Lush a short video.
The closing date for entries is Friday 16th January 2026
(Lush Prize is run independently by Ethical Consumer Research Association)
Spread the word: