Joachim Herz Award

Dieses Bild zeigt eine transparente Glaskugel, die auf einem grünen, moosbedeckten Boden liegt. In der Kugel spiegelt sich die Erde, die durch Licht und Reflexionen auf subtile Weise sichtbar wird. Die Umgebung wirkt natürlich und symbolisiert Nachhaltigkeit, Umweltbewusstsein und die Verbindung zwischen Technologie und Natur. Die frischen Grüntöne und die Klarheit der Kugel vermitteln eine Botschaft von Reinheit, Innovation und globaler Verantwortung.

With the Joachim Herz Award, we are sending a strong signal of support for innovative, interdisciplinary research projects by up-and-coming talents.

In Germany, many research results do not make it into practical application despite excellent basic research. However, bold, interdisciplinary approaches are needed to tackle challenges such as climate change and resource scarcity. With the research award of 500,000 euros, we want to support creative ideas from researchers that provide impetus for a sustainable future. It is aimed at scientists who are in the early stages of their careers. The award is awarded annually, alternating between the natural sciences and economics.

Future Pioneers for Sustainable Biotechnology

The motto of the Joachim Herz Award 2025 is "Future Pioneers for Sustainable Biotechnology" and is aimed at young scientists who are developing resource-saving biotechnologies for a fossil-free future. We are looking for research projects that cross disciplinary boundaries and use developments from other fields to create new processes and applications for sustainable biotechnologies.

The award is aimed at scientists in the early stages of their careers in the natural sciences and engineering who work in an interdisciplinary and practical manner.

Funding is provided for projects that creatively integrate approaches from other disciplines in order to create pioneering solutions for sustainable biotechnology. The focus is on biotechnological innovations that master ecological and social challenges, for example microbial material conversion for the production of valuable materials and energy sources or biotechnological processes for carbon sequestration and utilization. From sustainable production methods to climate-friendly technologies and applications, many things are possible.

The Joachim Herz Award is endowed with 500,000 euros. The funding must be earmarked for the research project described in the application. Eligible expenses include personnel, material resources, infrastructure and travel expenses. Administrative costs of the institution (overhead) are excluded. The funds will be transferred to the institution at which the award winners are working at the time of the award ceremony.

Conference

In addition to the award money, part of the funding is a conference lasting several days, which is planned in consultation with the winners and will be held in Hamburg in 2026. The costs of the conference will be borne by the Joachim Herz Foundation.

Applications are possible from February 3, 2025, both independently and by nomination. Individuals or research teams working at universities or research institutions in Germany can take part - regardless of whether they are privately organized under public law or non-profit. Researchers from other European countries can also apply, provided they are working at a German research institution by the time the award is awarded in fall 2025 at the latest.

Criteria

The review criteria include at least

Pioneering character: The project outline demonstrates an innovative research approach with the aim of developing pioneering solutions for specific societal challenges.
Interdisciplinarity: The research project pursues an interdisciplinary approach that recognizes the joint potential of the various disciplines.
Potential for excellence: Despite their early career phase, applicants have outstanding knowledge and promising potential. Their previous work provides a good basis for future research.
Relevance: The research project makes a socially relevant contribution to sustainable development in the area of a fossil-free future.
Sustainability: The research project promotes sustainability by combining economic, ecological and social aspects and pursuing a long-term perspective.
Scientific transfer: The project outline should preferably have a clear strategy for the utilization of the research results in social or economic applications.

Abstract of the project
Description of the scientific project & outline of the underlying problem
References
CVs of the persons involved
Letter of motivation from the applicants
Document confirming the pre-competitive nature of the project

For download:

Nominations and self-applications are possible from February 3 to March 31, 2025 via the application form of the Joachim Herz Stiftung.

All submitted projects are reviewed by the Joachim Herz Foundation, after which a specialist jury of experienced scientists and experts selects the best project in two stages:

Written review: The jury reviews all applications and selects the most promising projects.
Pitch: The selected applicants will be invited to present their project to the jury. The presentation is expected to take place in June at the Joachim Herz Foundation.

The award ceremony will take place on September 30 in Hamburg.

Additional dates are as follows:

March 31, 2025: Application deadline
June 2025: Pitch at the Joachim Herz Foundation
July 2025: Announcement of award winners
September 30, 2025: Award ceremony
2026: Award winners' conference

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With their research project, Moritz Drupp and his team at the University of Hamburg are pursuing the goal of providing information on the effects of environmental policy via a knowledge platform with interactive, Germany-wide maps. The practical and political relevance was decisive for the jury, as the research results on the distributional effects of environmental policy should be made available to the public. Users should be able to obtain detailed information on how their place of residence or a district is affected by climate protection measures.

The innovation of Drupp's research lies in the fact that it can show the extent to which sustainability policy can have very different economic effects in different regions. For example, while one region may benefit from the shutdown of a coal-fired power plant due to less air pollution, another region could suffer from the loss of a major employer.