This award is the vice-chancellor’s annual prize in recognition of outstanding welfare-related research. It highlights UCT's strategic goal of promoting socially responsive research, and honours a UCT researcher whose outreach work has contributed to the advancement and welfare of South Africa’s disadvantaged people. The Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health has produced three award winners.

2013 - Prof Crick Lund (https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2014-03-14-lund-scoops-alan-pifer-award)

2009 - Prof Dan Stein (https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2010-03-29-stein-wins-prestigious-pifer-award)

2005 - Prof Alan Flisher (https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2006-03-23-work-on-marginalised-group)

List of all awardees (https://www.uct.ac.za/main/explore-uct/awards/pifer-award)