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 – academics-Preis für Nachwuchswissenschaftler des Jahres (academics Award for Young Scientist of the Year)
- Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung/Foundation – Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel-Forschungspreis (Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award)
- American Chemical Society – Eli Lilly Award in Biological Chemistry
- American Physical Society – Dannie Heinemann Prize for Mathematical Physics
- American Physical Society – J.J. Sakurai Prize for Theoretical Partical Physics
- Bayer Foundations – Talent Award: Early Excellence in Science Award
- Bundeskanzler-Willy-Brandt-Stiftung (Chancellor Willy Brandt Foundation) – Willy-Brandt-Prize
- 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)
- Bundesverband Materialwirtschaft, Einkauf und Logistik (BME) (German Assiciation of Materials Management, Purchasing and Logistics (BME)) – Wissenschaftspreis (Research Award)
- Dan David Prize – Dan David Prize
- DECHEMA e.V. – Nachwuchswissenschaftler-Preis für Naturstoff-Erforschung (Young Scientists' Award for Natural Products Research)
- Deutsche Bundesgesellschaft für Theoretische Chemie (German Bunsen Society for Theoretical Chemistry) – Hans G.A Hellmann Award
- German Research Foundation (DFG) – Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize
- Deutsche Immobilien Akademie (DIA) (German Real Estate Academy (DIA)) – Forschungspreis für Immobilienwirtschaft – International (Research Prize for the Real Estate Industry – International)
- German Physical Society (DPG) – Gustav-Hertz-Prize
- German Physical Society (DPG) – Hertha-Sponer-Prize
- German Physical Society (DPG) – Walter-Schottky-Prize
- German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology (DGMK) – DGMK Sponsorship Award for Young Scientists
- Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University) – German Simulation and Gaming Award
- Eduard-Rhein-Stiftung (Eduard Rhein Foundation) – Technology Award
- Eppendorf Award for Young European Investigators
- Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology
- Ernst Haage-Stiftung (Ernst Haage Foundation) – Ernst Haage-Prize for Chemical Energy Conversion
- Freundeskreis des Forschungszentrums Karlsruhe e.V. - Otto Haxel Award
- German Chemical Society (GDCh) – Carl-Duisburg-Gedächtnispreis
- German Chemical Society (GDCh) – Carl-Roth-Förderpreis
- German Chemical Society (GDCh) – Wilhelm-Ostwald-Nachwuchspreis
- Gesellschaft für Phytotherapie e.V. (Society for Phytotherapy) – Phytotherapy Prize for the Promotion of Young Scientists
- Hanns Martin Schleyer-Stiftung/Foundation – Friedwart Bruckhaus Award
- Hans-Sauer-Stiftung /Foundation – Hans Sauer Award
- Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaft (Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities) – Academy Award
- Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaft (Heidelberger Academy of Sciences and Humanities) – Karl-Freudenberg-Preis (Karl Freundeberg Prize)
- Humboldt-Universität – Caroline von Humboldt Prize
- International Symposium on Fusion Nuclear Technology (ISFNT) – Miya-Aabdou Award for Outstanding Technical Contributions to the Field of Nuclear Technology
- Joachim Herz-Stiftung/Foundation – German Prize for Economics
- Jörg Wolff-Stiftung/Foundation – Arnold Rikli Prize for photobiological research
- Justus Liebig University of Giessen – Roentgen Prize
- KIND Hearing Foundation – Award
- Ministry of Science and the Arts (MWK) Baden-Württemberg – Award for courageous Research
- MTZ-Foundation/Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) – MTZ-Award for Systems Medicine
- Paul Ehrlich Foundation – Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Young Talent Award
- Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences – The Raymond and Beverly Sackler Prize
- Roman Herzog Research Award – Social Market Economy
- Rudolf-Kaiser Foundation – Rudolf Kaiser Prize
- Schering Stiftung – Friedmund Neumann Prize
- Schmalenbach Foundation – Schmalenbach Award
- Sigrid and Viktor Dulger-Foundation – Ecology Award
- Wissenschaftlicher Nachwuchspreis - "Statistical Science for Society"
- Foundation fiat panis – Hermann Eiselen-Science Award
- Polytechnic Foundation of Frankfurt am Main – Polytechnic Prize
- TechnologyRegion Karlsruhe – NEOInnovation Prize
- The Association for the Promotion of the Langen Science Prize – Langen Science Prize
- The Association of Baden-Würrtemberg Female Scientists – Maria Gräfin von Linde Prize
- The Association of German Engineers (VDI) and German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) – International Bionic Award
- The Royal Society – Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Award and Lecture
- Werner und Inge Grüter Foundation – Werner and Inge Grüter Prize for Science Education
- Wilhelm Lauer Foundation – To promote young talent in geo-ecological research
- Willy Hager Foundation – Willy Hager Prize
- Wolfang Ritter Foundation – Wolfgang Ritter Prize
academics – 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:
To be announced.
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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 (March and October).
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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:
May 19, 2025
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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 3, 2025
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 2, 2025
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:
Annually
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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 closes on March 31, 2025.
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:
- process innovations for climate protection
- product and service innovations for climate protection,
- environmentally friendly technologies
- environmentally friendly products and services
- climate and environmental protection technology transfer in developing and emerging countries and states in eastern Europe.
- Innovation and biological diversity
- 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:
In 2025, there will be no call for papers.
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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:
October 1, 2024.
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:
Nominations are open until fall 2025.
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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:
November 30, 2025
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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).
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:
Usually in May
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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:
Annually, on June 31
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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:
Annually
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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:
Annually
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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:
Annually in June
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology (DGMK) – Georg-Hunaeus-Preis
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.
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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:
Applications for the German Simulation And Gaming Award are possible at any time.
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).
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:
January 15, 2025
For further information visit the website of the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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, 2025
For further information visit the website of the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR) .
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:
April 30, 2025
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. If necessary, please contact your supervisors of the PhD.
Deadline:
There is no deadline.
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:
Annually
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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:
Annually
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
German Chemical Society (GDCh) – Wilhelm-Ostwald-Young Talent Award
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, 2025. Calls are made in odd years, awarding in even years.
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. Will not be announced in 2025.
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:
February 28, 2024
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:
Awarded in summer, presented in spring
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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).
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).
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:
May 18, 2025
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).
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.
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:
At the moment there is no call for applications.
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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:
The deadline for proposals and applications to be submitted to the Chairman of the Expert Committee is May 15 of each year.
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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.
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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.
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:
Award in fall 2025, award ceremony in May 2026
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:
May 5, 2025
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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:
March 15, 2024
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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).
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, 2024
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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 4, 2024
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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, 2025
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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).
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:
April 15, 2025
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 next round opens in October 2025.
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. The next call for papers ends on January 20, 2025.
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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 7, 2025
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).
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, 2025
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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).
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 will be possible starting from December 2025.
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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:
Annually
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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 20, 2025. The prize is awarded every two years.
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:
Annually in October
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).
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, 2024
Those interested please contact the ▶ KIT Research Office (FOR).