Name of Prize
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize
Type of Prize
The largest award in German research.
Purpose
The programme aims to improve the working conditions of outstanding scientists and academics, expand their research opportunities, relieve them of administrative tasks, and help them employ particularly qualified young researchers.
Number and Value of Awards
Up to ten prizes are awarded annually with a maximum of €2.5 million per award.
Nominations
Prizes are awarded from a selection of nominations put forward by third parties. Nominations may be accepted from
all current and future members of the DFG
the elected spokespersons and deputy spokespersons of the DFG’s review boards
the Helmholtz Association of National Research Centres
previous Leibniz prizewinners
former members of the Leibniz Nominations Committee
It is not possible to nominate yourself.
Selection Criteria
Outstanding young researchers who are still in a phase of increasing research productivity are eligible for the award. The prizes are not limited to certain research areas; the scientific quality of the previous work is the sole criterion for nomination. The candidate’s age should be significantly lower than the average age of established researchers in the relevant field. The prize may be awarded to researchers working at German institutes both in Germany and abroad.
Selection of Prizewinners
Prizewinners are selected by the DFG’s Joint Committee on the basis of recommendations made by the Leibniz Nominations Committee.
Announcement
The prize is announced annually with submission deadlines.
Documents Required
(preferably in German and in English)
one- to two-page testimonial
academic CV
current list of publications of the proposed candidate
