Awards for Postdoctoral Researchers

Here you can find prizes and awards with which your achievements and your commitment are honored and rewarded. Please pay attention to the relevant deadline!

Overview

 

Academics.de – academics-Preis für Nachwuchswissenschaftler des Jahres (academics Award for Young Scientist of the Year)

Target group:
postdoctoral researchers of all research disciplines

Area of studies:
All

Terms of application:
Nominations can only be made by another person. Candidate proposals must be submitted in written form in German and/or English as online application by mail. No self-nominations possible! 

Prize money:
EUR 5,000
The prize is not committed to a specific purpose.

Deadline:
September 30, 2023
Nominations possible from June 01, 2023

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung/Foundation – Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel-Forschungspreis (Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award)

Target group:
Foreign postdocs (Non-German)

Area of studies:
All

Terms of application:
No self-nominations possible. The nominee must received their doctoral degree within the last 18 years. The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation particulary encourages the nomination of qualified female academics.

Prize money:
About 20 prizes of EUR 45,000 each annually plus travel allowance, aid for German language courses

Deadline:
Applications can be submitted at any time. Selection process takes place twice a year (spring and autumn).

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung/Foundation – Sofja Kovalevskaja-Preis/Award

Target group:
Foreign as well as German postdocs, if these already have been scientifically active abroad for a long time

Area of studies:
All

Terms of application:
Eligible candidates have attained their doctorate or comparable academic degree (Ph.D., C.Sc. or equivalent),
completed with distinction less than six years prior to the application submission deadline and can show academic publications in internationally reviewed journals and / or publishing houses.

With the Sofia Kovalevskaya prize there is the opportunity to establish a working group at a research facility in Germany of the winner's choice and for a period of five years carry out a high-level and innovative research project of their own choice.

Prize money:
Up to six prizes with up to EUR 1.650.000 for 5 years to head a research group in Germany

Deadline:
No call for applications at the moment.

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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American Chemical Society – Eli Lilly Award in Biological Chemistry

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Biological Chemistry

Terms of application:
Nominees shall have accomplished outstanding research in biological chemistry of unusual merit and independence of thought and originality. No more than 10 years shall have passed since the nominee completed his/her last period of postdoctoral training by April 1, 2024 and he/she shall be actively engaged in the line of research for which the award is made.

Prize money:
Bronze medal and honorarium

Deadline:
June 15, 2023

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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American Physical Society – Dannie Heinemann Prize for Mathematical Physics

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Mathematical Physics

Terms of application:
This prize is awarded solely for valuable published contributions made in the field of mathematical physics with no restrictions placed on a candidate`s citizenship or country of residence.

Prize money:
USD 10,000

Deadline:
June 1, 2023

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American Physical Society – J.J. Sakurai Prize for Theoretical Partical Physics

Target Group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Theoretical Particle Physics

Terms of application:
Nominations are open to scientists of all nationalities regardless of the geographical site at which the work was done. The prize may be awarded to more than one person on a shared basis. The prize will normally be awarded for theoretical contributions made at an early stage of the recipient’s research career. Nominations are active for three years.

Prize money:
USD 10,000

Deadline:
June 1, 2023

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Bayer Foundations – Talent Award: Early Excellence in Science Award

Target group:
Postdocs and scientists who completed their doctorate no more than 5 years ago

Area of studies:
Chemistry, Biology, Medical Sciences

Terms of application:
The young scientists should have already made a visible contribution to new findings through their research contributions.

Prize money:
EUR 10,000 EUR per category

Deadline:
The most recent call for proposals ended in April 2023.

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Bundeskanzler-Willy-Brandt-Stiftung (Chancellor Willy Brandt Foundation) – Willy-Brandt-Prize for contemporary history

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
History, social sciences, law

Terms of application:
Content must be based on the political activity of Willy Brandt. Work is at the date of submission to be not older than one and a half years and not yet published.

Prize money:
EUR 4,000, printing grant or publication

Deadline:
The prize is awarded every two years. The current call closed on March 31, 2023.

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Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) together with the Federation of German Industries (BDI) – Innovationspreis Klima und Umwelt (German Innovation Award for Climate and Environment)

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Climate and environment

Terms of application:

The innovation award is awarded in 7 categories:

  1. process innovations for climate protection
  2. product and service innovations for climate protection,
  3. environmentally friendly technologies
  4. environmentally friendly products and services
  5. climate and environmental protection technology transfer in developing and emerging countries and states in eastern Europe.
  6. Innovation and biological diversity
  7. Usage of the digital transformation for climate- and environmentally-friendly innovations

Applications can only be submitted in ONE categorie. 

Prize money:
EUR 25,000 in each of the 7 categories

Deadline:
The prize is awarded every year. There is no deadline available at the moment.

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Bundesverband Materialwirtschaft, Einkauf und Logistik (BME) (German Assiciation of Materials Management, Purchasing and Logistics (BME)) – Wissenschaftspreis (Research Award)

Target group:
Postdocs with habilitations or doctoral dissertations

Area of studies:
Purchasing, logistics and supply chain

Terms of application:
Habilitation and dissertation theses must have successfully passed the university's grading process at the time of submission. Work may already be published.

Prize money:
Habilitation theses and other outstanding scientific works: EUR 5,000, dissertation theses: EUR 3,500

Deadline:
The prize is awarded every year.

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Dan David Prize – Dan David Prize

Target group:
Academics and Non-Academics

Area of studies:
history, archaeology, art history, digital humanities and human palaeontology, as well as independent scholars, public historians, museum curators and documentary filmmakers.

Terms of application:
Anyone can nominate. Self-nominations will not be considered. Academic nominees must hold a PhD and must have published at least one major piece of work, such as a book or a collection of articles related to a major project.

Prize money:
Up to nine prizes of USD 300,000 each per year

Deadline:
October 11, 2023

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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DECHEMA e.V. – Nachwuchswissenschaftler-Preis für Naturstoff-Erforschung (Young Scientists' Award for Natural Products Research)

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Natural substances (border areas between biology and chemistry)

Terms of application:
Applications should include a summary of the scientific work and a short biography. Self-nomination and proposal are possible.

Prize money:
EUR 1,000

Deadline:
Die aktuelle Einreichungsfrist endete am 28. Februar 2023.

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Deutsche Bundesgesellschaft für Theoretische Chemie (German Bunsen Society for Theoretical Chemistry) – Hans G.A Hellmann Award

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Theoretical chemistry

Terms of application:
The prize is awarded to younger junior scientists (not usually over 40 years) who not yet hold a lifetime professorship and are associated the German research landscape.

Deadline:
March 15 annually

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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German Research Foundation (DFG) – Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
All

Terms of application:
The award is not only to be understood as being in recognition of the dissertation; nominees should also have established a distinctive academic profile after obtaining their doctorate.
Self-nominations are not possible.
The KIT internal process has two stages.

Prize money:
Ten prizes of EUR 200,000 each. The prize money can be spent for research purposes only up to three years. The prize is awarded annually. 

Deadline:
July 31, 2023

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Deutsche Gesellschaft für Zellbiologie e.V. (German Sicety for Cell Biology) – Werner Risau Prize

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Endothelial cell biology

Terms of application:
The prize will be awarded to post-doctoral fellows, whose doctorate should not be older than five years (parental leave can be taken into account). The work on which the award is based should have been made in a laboratory in Europe or Israel, in exceptional cases, in other countries, if the candidate is a citizen of a European country or Israel. The prize is awarded for an article already published or in press.

Prize money:
EUR 4,000

Deadline:
July 31, 2023

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Deutsche Immobilien Akademie (DIA) (German Real Estate Academy (DIA)) – Forschungspreis für Immobilienwirtschaft – International (Research Prize for the Real Estate Industry-International)

Target group:
Postdocs with habilitations, doctoral dissertations and other scientific publications

Area of studies:
Real estate industry

Terms of application:
The submitted projects should in regard to content relate to a macro- or microeconomic topic of the real estate industry.

Prize money:
Dissertation, habilitation theses and other outstanding scientific works: EUR 2,500
Diploma and magister theses: EUR 1,000

Deadline:
Every year on June 31 

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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German Physical Society (DPG) – Gustav-Hertz-Prize

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Experimental or theoretical physics

Terms of application:
Self-nominations are not possible. Please inform the KIT Research Office (FOR) funding of your proposal (with documentation) and submit it with a justification of one to two pages, a scientific CV and the nomination of referees. Proposals from the previous year can be resubmitted.

Prize money:
EUR 7,500

Deadline:
June 30, 2023

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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German Physical Society (DPG) – Hertha-Sponer-Prize

Target group:
Young female scientists

Area of studies:
Physics

Terms of application:
Self-nominations are not possible. Please inform the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR) funding of your proposal (with documentation) and submit it with a justification of one to two pages, a scientific CV and the nomination of referees. Proposals from the previous year can be resubmitted.

Prize money:
EUR 3,000

Deadline:
June 30, 2023

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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German Physical Society (DPG) – Walter-Schottky-Prize

Target group:
Young postdocs

Area of studies:
Physics

Terms of application:
The Walter Schottky Award is intended to honor an outstanding paper published in the last two years, preferably in the last year, in the field of solid state research by one or more young physicists.       

Self-nominations are not possible. Please inform the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR) funding of your proposal (with documentation) and submit it with a justification of one to two pages, a scientific CV and the nomination of referees. Proposals from the previous year can be resubmitted. 

Prize money:
EUR 10,000 and certificate

Deadline:
June 30, 2023

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology (DGMK) – DGMK Sponsorship Award for Young Scientists

Target group:
Young German postdocs

Area of studies:
Exploration, deep drilling technology, extraction and storage of energy sources such as crude oil, natural gas, hydrogen and geothermal use of the deep underground

Terms of application:
Self-nominations are possible.

Prize money:
The award consists of a certificate and a sum of money which will be determined by the Board.

Deadline:
The prize is usually awarded annually. (Last Deadline: January 31, 2023)

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University) – German Simulation and Gaming Award

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Simulation and gaming 

Terms of application:
Papers are eligible, which were submitted at a European university since January 1 of 2018. Self-nominations and proposals by third parties are possible.

Prize money:
Prizes of EUR 1,000, EUR 750 and EUR 500

Deadline:
The call for the 2023 award is closed now. But: Applications are accepted at all times and are considered for the next round to come.

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Eduard-Rhein-Stiftung (Eduard Rhein Foundation) – Technology Award

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Radio, television and information technology

Terms of application:
Self-nominations are excluded. The nominators should be recognized experts in the field of work of the Foundation.

Prize money:
EUR 40,000

Deadline:
July 31, every year

For further information visit the website of the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Eppendorf Award for Young European Investigator

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Biomedical research based on methods of molecular biology, including novel analytical concepts.

Terms of application:
Applications should be aged under 35 years of age at the time of application, based in Europe, hold an advanced degree and be involved in biomedical research based on methods of molecular biology, including novel analytical concepts.

Prize money:
EUR 20,000 financial award for personal use, an invitation to the prize ceremony at the EMBL Advanced Training Centre in Heidelberg, Germany, plus an invite to visit Eppendorf AG in Hamburg. Additionally, there will be coverage of the recipient's work by Nature in print and a podcast.

Deadline:
Application deadline for the 2023 prize has expired.

For further information visit the website of the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology

Target group:
Postdocs  

Area of studies:
Neurobiological research based on methods of molecular and cell biology

Terms of application:
Applicants should not be older than 35 years of age at the time of application. It is necessary to hand in an essay, written by the entrant, that describes his or her research and places it in perspective with respect to current research in the field of neurobiology. This essay must not exceed 1,000 words. The resarch, you applying with, should be conducted in the past three years. A one-page letter of recommendation from his/her postdoctoral adviser, supervisor, or other senior colleague who is familiar with the entrant's work is also required.

Prize money:
USD 25,000 and publication of his or her essay in Science. Furthermore, the winner receives a complimentary 10-year AAAS Membership, a 10-year digital subscription to Science as well as USD 1,000 in complimentary Eppendorf products. 

Deadline:
June 15, 2023

For further information visit the website of the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR) .

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Ernst Haage-Stiftung (Ernst Haage Foundation) – Ernst Haage-Prize for Chemical Energy Conversion 

Target group:
Postdocs 

Area of studies:
Chemical science

Terms of application:
Nominations are open to scientists with a doctorate who are currently working at a German research institution/university. Nominees should have their primary residence in Germany, be no more than 40 years old and not have a permanent employment contract.

Prize money:
EUR 7,500

Deadline:
May 31, 2023

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Freundeskreis des Forschungszentrums Karlsruhe e. V. - Otto Haxel Award 

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Physics 

Terms of application:
The Otto Haxel Award for Physics has been awarded since 2017 in cooperation with the German Physical Society for the three best dissertations in physics at the Universities of Göttingen and Heidelberg and at KIT, the three places where Otto Haxel worked.

Prize money:
3 prizes per year: 1 x EUR 6,000; 1 x EUR 4,000; and 1 x EUR 2,000.

Application:
Nominations are made by the KIT Faculty of Physics. Currently, PhDs of the years 2021 and 2022 are treated. If necessary, please contact your supervisors of the PhD.

Deadline:
There is no deadline.

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German Chemical Society (GDCh) – Carl-Duisburg-Gedächtnispreis

Target group:
Young postdocs who have not exceed the age of 40

Area of studies:
Chemistry

Terms of application:
The nominees must be working at a German university or, as a German, at a foreign university, may not yet hold a W2/W3 or comparable position and must not have exceeded the age of 40. No self-nomination possible. Proposals have to be submitted.

Prize money:
EUR 5,000 for the awardee, EUR 2,500 for his or her research group

Deadline:
September 15, 2023. The prize is awarded anually.   

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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German Chemical Society (GDCh) – Carl-Roth-Förderpreis

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Chemical sciences

Terms of application:
The Carl Roth Promotion Prize is awarded to young scientists who have completed their studies (master's degree or diploma) no more than five years ago. It is awarded for resource efficient ways of synthesis or innovative applications of chemicals. Self-nominations are possible.

Prize money:
EUR 5,000 EUR  + voucher for EUR 3,000 EUR  for products from the Carl Roth catalogue

Deadline:
September 15, 2023. The prize is awarded anually.

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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German Chemical Society (GDCh) – Wilhelm-Ostwald-Nachwuchspreis

Target group:
Postdocs younger than 33

Area of studies:
The prize is awarded for an outstanding doctoral dissertation or equivalent achievement, that bridges between very different disciplines according to the ideas of Ostwald, which helps in overcoming technical limitations and obstacles, identify new research directions and relationships as well as to cross-link interdisciplinary knowledge.

Terms of application:
The publication to be awarded may not be older than two years at the point of the deadline.
The award is also connected to a two-year free membership in the Wilhelm-Ostwald-Gesellschaft, the German Chemical Society and the DBG. Nominations may be made by faculty members. Self-nominations are not possible.

Prize money:
EUR 2,500

Deadline:
July 31, 2023. Calls are made in odd years, awarding in even years.

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Gesellschaft für Phytotherapie e.V. (Society for Phytotherapy) – Phytotherapy Prize for the Promotion of Young Scientists

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Phytotherapy

Terms of application:
This prize is for the promotion of young scientists and is awarded for theses which are important for phytotherapy (bachelor’s, master’s, “Staatsexamen”, diploma and PhD/ doctoral theses and scientific publications based on these).

Prize money:
EUR 2,000

Deadline:
Is alternating with the Innovation prize. The Deadline for the current call was on February 28, 2023.

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Hanns Martin Schleyer-Stiftung/Foundation – Friedwart Bruckhaus Award

Target group:
Postdocs, journalists 

Area of studies:
This year's theme: Europe in the 21st Century - Beginning of a New Era?

Terms of application:
Writings are eligible that have been published or broadcast in German or English. Collaborative works cannot be considered. Applicants must not have exceeded the age of 40.

Prize money:
Three Prizes of EUR 5,000 

Deadline:
March 22, 2024

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Hans-Sauer-Stiftung /Foundation – Hans Sauer Award

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
With this award, the Hans-Sauer Stiftung honors in alternating cycle honors outstanding scientific achievements, particularly valuable practices in business, politics and society, and pioneering technical inventions. This year's focus is Mobility projects in the neighborhood.

Terms of application:
Projects, organizations and initiatives from Germany, Austria and Switzerland are invited to submit entries.

Prize money:
Three prizes totaling  EUR 20,000

Deadline:
The call for 2023 is closed. 

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaft (Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities) – Academy Award

Target group:
Postdocs 

Area of studies:
Alternating: mathematical-scientific and philosophical-historical class of the Academy

Terms of application:
The prize-winning work should not have been completed more than three years before the award ceremony. Applicants must not have exceeded the age of 40.

Prize money:
EUR 10,000

Deadline:
Calls are open from March 1 until June 30, every year

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaft (Heidelberger Academy of Sciences and Humanities) –  Karl Freundeberg Prize

Target group:
Postdocs up to 35 years of age

Area of studies:
Natural sciences, especially chemistry and biology

Terms of application:
Self-nominations are not possible. The proposed work should have been published or submitted for publication in the past two years. Proposal must be made by faculty members and institute heads from Baden-Württemberg. Proposals are to be submitted with an explanatory statement (in duplicate).

Prize money:
EUR 10,000

Deadline:
Calls are open from May 1 until June 30, every year

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Humboldt-Universität – Caroline von Humboldt Prize

Target group:
Young female scientists

Area of studies:
All

Terms of application:
The prize is awarded to an outstanding female scientist and is intended to support a scientific project. The prize money is to enable the winner to carry out a research project within the framework of a research stay at the Humboldt University of Berlin ("Scientist in Residence").
Eligible are female scientists who do not hold a tenured professorship and whose PhD was completed not more than seven years ago (plus two years per child, if applicable). Only Professors from universities and external research institutions, and professors of colleges of higher education in Germany and beyond can nominate candidates for the award. Direct applications are not accepted.

Prize money:
EUR 15,000

Deadline:
April 30, every year

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International Symposium on Fusion Nuclear Technology (ISFNT) – Miya-Aabdou Award for Outstanding Technical Contributions to the Field of Nuclear Technology

Target group:
Postdocs 

Area of studies:
Fusion Nuclear Technology 

Terms of application:
The award aims at acknowledging outstanding technical contributions to the field of Fusion Nuclear Technology at a young age. The technical contributions can be in any field that is within the scope of ISFNT. The award is intended for scientists and engineers of age 40 or younger on the first day of the calendar year in which the ISFNT occurs. Self-nominations are possible.

Prize money:
USD 5,000

Deadline:
May 31, 2023

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Joachim Herz-Stiftung/Foundation – German Prize for Economics

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Interdisciplinary perspectives on economic sciences

Terms of application:
The prize honors scientists who use interdisciplinary approaches and methods to broaden the perspectives of the economic sciences and develop new solutions. The awards go to scientists who work at a research institution in Germany. The prize will be awarded for the first time in 2016.

Prize money:
1st place: EUR 25,000
2nd place: EUR 15,000
3rd place: EUR 10,000

Deadline:
At the moment there is no call for applications.

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Jörg Wolff-Stiftung/Foundation – Arnold Rikli Prize for photobiological research

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Research should relate to biological or medical effects of the use of optical radiation (ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation).

Terms of application:
Unpublished work as well as publications published after 1st January 2021 in English may be submitted. The submitted work should relate to a specific topic area.

Prize money:
EUR 10,000

Deadline:
December 31, 2023

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Justus Liebig University of Giessen – Roentgen Prize

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
The prize is awarded for new, outstanding scientific work and services in the field of basic research in radiation physics, photonics or radiation biology. It is primarily intended to honour the work of young scientists.

Prize money:
EUR 15,000

Deadline:
April 30 annually

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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KIND Hearing Foundation – Award

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Research in the field of hearing impairment, especially children

Terms of application:
The Foundation Prize can be awarded to an individual, a group of researchers or, exceptionally, to two prize winners in equal parts. The prize is awarded for a current, individual scientific achievement in German on the topic in question. Both self-nominations as well as proposals are admissible.

Prize money:
EUR 15,000

Deadline:
At the moment there is no call for applications. The prize is awarded every two years. The next call for applications will be in the end of 2024 for the prize of 2025.

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Max Buchner Research Foundation – DECHEMA Prize

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Technical chemistry, process engineering, biotechnology, apparatus engineering

Terms of application:
The DECHEMA Prize is awarded in recognition of outstanding scientific achievements in DECHEMA’s sphere of  interest which are of fundamental importance and serve as an impetus for innovative developments. Preference is given to the work of younger, early career scientists who, for instance, do not yet hold a permanent professorship or a comparable position in a research institution or industry. Anyone may submit a nomination. Self-nominations are not accepted.

Prize money:
EUR 20,000

Deadline:
There were no calls for applications since 2020.

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Ministry of Science and the Arts (MWK) Baden-Württemberg – Award for courageous Research

Target group:
Young, excellent researchers from universities and research institutions in Baden-Württemberg

Area of studies:
All

Terms of application:

The prize is awarded to young, excellent researchers from universities and research institutions in Baden-Württemberg,

  • who have achieved success contrary to the expectations of their peers,
  • who have prevailed on their path against resistance,
  • who have built on preliminary work, who have productively "failed" and thus made new insights possible

Prize money:
EUR 30,000

Deadline:
The next awarding is planned in 2024.

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MTZ-Foundation/Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) – MTZ-Award for Systems Medicine

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Systems Biology/Systems Medicine

Terms of application:
The MTZ® Award for Systems Medicine is the national award for young scientists for outstanding dissertations written by young scientists in the field of systems-oriented health research. Only doctoral theses funded by the BMBF in the field of systems biology/systems medicine will be considered.

Prize money:
EUR 10,000. This sum is dividable and will be awarded to the three best doctoral theses.

Deadline:
The prize is awarded every two years. The next prize will be in 2024.

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Paul Ehrlich Foundation – Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Young Talent Award

Target group:
Postdocs younger than 40 years, who are not a permanently appointed professor or in an equivalent position

Area of studies:
Biomedicine

Terms of application:
Self-nominations are not possible. Nominations may be made by members of faculty and senior scientists from research institutions in Germany.

Prize money:
EUR 60,000 for research-related use only

Deadline:
The prize is awarded annually. The deadline for 2024 has not been announced yet. Last Deadline: May 22, 2023

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences – The Raymond and Beverly Sackler Prize

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Biophysics, Chemistry, Physics

Terms of application:
The prize is awarded in three categories. Please check the application requirements for your category. 

Prize:
Prices differ depending on the category

Deadline:
The deadline for 2023 has not been announced yet.

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Roman Herzog Research Award – Social Market Economy

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
All dealing with the theme of "Social Market Economy".
Interdisciplinary contributions are most welcome.

Terms of application:
The Roman Herzog research award recognizes three outstanding dissertations or habilitations, which provide essential scientific approaches to the further development of the successful model "social market economy". The submitted research should include a sound analysis of the current relevant regulatory issues. At the time of application, applicants should be no older than 40 years and the research no older than three years. Self-nominations as well as proposals by the faculties and institutes are possible.

Prize money:
EUR 20,000, EUR 10,000 and EUR 5,000

Deadline:
December 31 annually

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Rudolf-Kaiser Foundation – Rudolf Kaiser Prize

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Experimental physics

Terms of application:
The prize is awarded a young scientist, who can already show scientific achievements, but has not yet been offered a German professorship. The age of the applicants should not exceed 40 years. The application can be submitted as a proposal by a university lecturer or as a self-application. 

Prize money:
EUR 30,000

Deadline:
April 30, 2023

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Schering Stiftung – Friedmund Neumann Prize

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Human biology, organic chemistry and human medicine

Terms of application:
The prize is directed at young scientists who have completed their dissertation and have already developed a distinctive scientific profile. The award aims to make visible excellent scientific achievement and thus help the prize winners establish themselves in their field of research. The nominees have to be active in Germany. Self-nominations are not possible.

Prize money:
EUR 10,000

Deadline:
February 05, 2023

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Schmalenbach Foundation – Schmalenbach Award

Target group:
Postdocs in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Area of studies:
Business administration

Terms of application:
In addition to scientific excellence, the proposed dissertation must be of high practical relevance. This requires a thesis that has been conclusively evaluated with the grade 'summa cum laude' and, in the estimation of the proposer, makes a significant contribution to practice-oriented business administration. The completion of the doctoral process must not have occurred more than twelve months ago at the time of the submission deadline.

Prize money:
EUR 10,000

Deadline:
May 31, 2024

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Sigrid and Viktor Dulger-Foundation – Ecology Award

Target group:
Postdocs not older than 35 years of age

Area of studies:
Humanities, social and natural sciences and engineering disciplines that deal with environmental issues and solutions

Terms of application:
The prize is awarded to a young researcher for an outstanding scientific paper. The proposed work should have been accepted as a scientific achievement by a university or research institute in the state of Baden-Württemberg and should have been published or submitted for publication in the respective past two years.

The persons proposed for the award should not be older than 35 years. If several candidates are significantly involved in equal parts, then the prize can be awarded to these in equal parts. Self-nominations are not possible.

Prize money:
EUR 10,000

Deadline:
Calls are open from March 1 - June 30, every year

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Wissenschaftlicher Nachwuchspreis - "Statistical Science for the Society"

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Statistics

Terms of application:
The Federal Statistical Office awards a science prize in the categories dissertations and master's or bachelor's theses (including diploma and master's theses). 

The prize is awarded for outstanding theses that

  • deal with theoretical topics closely related to the range of tasks of official statistics or
  • investigate empirical questions with intensive use of official statistics data.

German- or English-language theses deemed worthy of an award can only be nominated for an award by the supervising researchers. In the selection process, only papers in the categories dissertation and master's or bachelor's theses, including diploma and master's theses, that have received a final grade of at least "good" or "magna cum laude" by 15 May 2023 will be considered.

Prize money:
Dissertation Award: EUR 5,000
Prize for Master's or Bachelor's thesis: EUR 2,500

Deadline:
May 15, 2023

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Foundation fiat panis – Hermann Eiselen-Science Award

Target group:
Postdocs who graduated from a European university, not older than 40 years

Area of studies:
All

Terms of application:
The objective of the award is to reward young researchers who are working intensively on possible solutions to fight hunger in countries with food deficits.

Prize money:
EUR 30,000

Deadline:
The announcement and awarding takes place in even years. The next tender will take place in October 2023.

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Polytechnic Foundation of Frankfurt am Main – Polytechnic Prize

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Didactics of mathematics, computer science, science and technology

Terms of application:
The prize is awarded for the development of innovative concepts to teach mathematics, science and technical content in school education.

Prize money:
EUR 75,000

Deadline:
The prize is awarded every two years.

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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TechnologyRegion Karlsruhe – NEOInnovation Prize

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
The topic changes annually. For 2023 the topic is "innovative materials with smart and/or sustainable characteristics"

Terms of application:
Any company, organisation, public administration or scientific institution in Germany or Alsace in France is eligible to enter.

Prize money:
EUR 20,000

Deadline:
July 10, 2023

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The Association for the Promotion of the Langen Science Prize – Langen Science Prize 

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Infectiology in human and veterinary medicine, hematology, allergology, Gene and cell therapy and tissue engineering, Research into innovative biomedical approaches to prevention and therapy, drug safety and pharmaco-epidemiology, related technological processes.

Terms of application:
Both individual and group applications may be submitted, preferably by younger scientists but there is not an explicit age limit.

Prize money:
EUR 15,000

Deadline:
May 31, 2023

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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The Association of Baden-Würrtemberg Female Scientists – Maria Gräfin von Linde Prize

Target group:
Female postdocs

Area of studies:
Life sciences and humanities and social studies

Terms of application:
Professors and scientists from all universities in Baden-Württemberg are eligible to submit proposals.

Prize money:
Two prizes with EUR 1,000 each

Deadline:
August 31, 2023

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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The Association of German Engineers (VDI) and German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) – International Bionic Award

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Bionic product development

Terms of application:
Awards go to an outstanding work, e.g. of a bionic product development or a doctoral dissertation / habilitation, which was completed in the last two years prior to the filing date. Participation is open to both individuals and teams. The call is international. Young scientists can submit their work in English to the VDI Society Technologies of Life Sciences (TLS).

Prize money:
EUR 5,000

Deadline:
The prize is awarded anually. The last time the prize was awarded 2023.

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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The Royal Society – Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Award and Lecture

Target group:
Female postdocs who have been resident in the UK for three or more years

Area of studies:
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics 

Terms of application:
Nominees should have completed their PhD no more than 20 years ago. The award should support a research project in the STEM field by a woman.

Prize money:
GBP 40,000 (ca. EUR 45,000), a silver medal and a gift of GBP 1000.

Deadline:
Nominations for this award will open in November 2023. 

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Werner und Inge Grüter Foundation – Werner and Inge Grüter Prize for Science Education

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Natural sciences

Terms of application:
Self-nominations are possible as well as nominations by third parties. Applications by younger scientists are especially welcome. Purely scientific publications are not eligible.

Prize money:
EUR 10,000

Deadline:
Currently, there is no deadline for 2023.

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Wilhelm Lauer Foundation – To promote young talent in geo-ecological research

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Geography, landscape ecology and high altitude mountain research

Terms of application:
Nominations may be made by professors competent in the respective fields. Self-nominations are not possible; but the foundation specifically encourages potential candidates to motivate their supervisors to submit a nomination.

Prize money:
EUR 5,000

Deadline:
June 04, 2023. The prize is awarded every two years.

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Willy Hager Foundation – Willy Hager Prize

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Water and wastewater treatment

Terms of application:
As a rule, the work’s focus should be on solving process engineering problems. It is also possible to submit joint works by several scientists. The work is to have been carried out no more than three years ago at a German university.

Prize money:
EUR 6,000

Deadline:
October every year

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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Wolfang Ritter Foundation – Wolfgang Ritter Prize 

Target group:
Postdocs

Area of studies:
Business administration and economics

Terms of application:
Eligible are authors from science and research of all nationalities. Dissertations and post-doctoral theses as well as other monographs are eligible, but not cumulative works. Admissible languages are German or English. Papers must be published and must not have been published for more than two years by the closing date. 

We award papers that deal with entrepreneurship in a market economy. This includes in particular:

  • value-based management and corporate responsibility
  • ecological, social and economic sustainability
  • globalisation and international business
  • Areas of business function theory

Prize money:
EUR 20,000

Deadline:
October 4, 2023

Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).

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