This award has been created to recognise individuals for their outstanding contribution to ESGCT and their commitment to Society’s mission to advance knowledge, education, and awareness of gene and cell therapy. Based on the Exceptional commitment of our latest President Hildegard Bünning during the pandemic and also due to her exceptional work with the ESGCT education activities for our young members, including the creation of the very singular ESGCT Spring School and the ESGCT Academy, the Board decided that this very first Exceptional Service Award should be given to Hildegard, and should be recognised in our annual ESGCT meeting in Brussels.