Current calls for nominations
Academy Prize – sponsored by the Monika Kutzner Foundation
The Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities awards this prize to young researchers in the life sciences and medicine for outstanding scientific achievements in the field of cancer research. There is no fixed age limit. The award is intended for scientists who have already distinguished themselves through significant research contributions at an early stage in their careers. Prizewinners should be regarded as ‘young’ in relation to their achievements. The prize is worth €10,000.
Deadline: 30 September 2026
Stanisław Lem European Research Prize
The international call for applications, organised by the Wrocław University of Technology, is aimed at young researchers (aged 40 or under – born in 1986 or later) who over the last three years (2023–2026) have made a significant discovery or achieved outstanding results in the broadly defined fields of natural and engineering sciences. Their achievement should be characterised by strong technological elements, interdisciplinarity, creativity and foresight. Candidates must be employed at a university or research centre in an EU member state or a country associated with the Horizon programme, as well as Switzerland. The prize is worth 100,000 PLN (approx. €23,000).
Deadline: 30 September 2026
Dissertation Prizes of the University of Münster
The University of Münster’s dissertation awards recognise outstanding doctoral theses completed at the University of Münster. The Dissertation Prizes serve to support the prizewinners' future research endeavours. All sixteen faculties of the University of Münster are invited to nominate their best dissertations from the current academic year for consideration. Each award comes with 3,000 euros in prize money which can also be used to finance a colloquium in Münster on the prizewinning research topic. Up to fifteen doctoral candidates are eligible to receive the Dissertation Prize in recognition of their outstanding dissertations. The Rectorate is responsible for selecting the finalists at the recommendation of a special jury appointed by Rectorate Committee for Academic Personnel Development (RAP).
Deadline: 9 October 2026
Hector Research Career Development Award
The Hector Fellow Academy supports the career development of W1-level assistant professors (with or without tenure track) and junior research group leaders in similar positions in the natural or engineering sciences, medicine or psychology (max. seven years into their postdoc phase). The researchers selected for this honour become members of the Hector Fellow Academy's network of top scientists for five years. They receive 25,000 euros in funding to set up a doctoral position and the opportunity to apply for further funding.
Deadline: 30 October 2026
Die Junge Akademie of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BBAW) Die Junge Akademie is seeking ten new members for 2027. In this round, self-nominations are permitted – this is the case in odd-numbered years. Die Junge Akademie was founded in 2000 as the first academy for outstanding young researchers. Its members come from all academic disciplines and the arts. They explore the potential and limits of interdisciplinary work, aim to foster dialogue between science, the arts and society, and seek to stimulate debate on science policy. By the end of the application period, candidates should generally have completed their PhD no more than three years and no longer than seven years previously; periods spent on parental leave, caregiving or sick leave are taken into account.
Deadline: 11 November 2026
Bavarian Pioneer Award The Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BAdW) awards this prize in recognition of visionary national and international technological research that is shaping our future. The successful translation of these innovations into commercial products with a significant societal impact is a key criterion for awarding the prize. In 2027, groundbreaking innovations will be recognised in the following priority areas: quantum technologies, cyber security and innovative energy systems. The prize is endowed with 300,000 euros, which the winner may use at their discretion.
Deadline: 30 November 2026
