Until 18 November 2024, members of a research environment that is based primarily in the German science system can apply online at www.diejungeakademie.de/en/projekte/best-research-environment-award for the “Best Research Environment 2024” award. The award emphasises the significance of a good research environment for scientific performance, and support and appreciation for each individual researcher. It also honours each research community member’s contribution to scientific progress. The ten winning teams will each receive prize money of 10,000 euros, which will go to the award-winning research environment and can be used for team-building measures, retreats, coaching or further training, for example.

Presentation of the award is scheduled for 7 June, 2025 in Berlin.

“With this award, we would like to recognise special efforts to create good research environments, as the associated work often remains invisible and does not receive the necessary recognition. At Die Junge Akademie, we know how important it is for early career researchers in particular to receive guidance, support, encouragement and development opportunities in a good research environment. We would like to raise awareness of this with this award,” says Gisela Kopp, the award’s initiator and former spokesperson of Die Junge Akademie.

Antje Tepperwien, Head of Team Understanding Research, Team Funding at Volkswagen Foundation: “With this award we are looking to stimulate debate about the characteristics and qualities of a good research environment. The aim of the award is also to establish the quality of a research environment as an important attribute for scientific and research organisations and to encourage institutions to actively shape these environments.”

Selection criteria and procedure

A selection committee will draw up a shortlist of 25 research environments from all the applications. This selection committee comprises members and alumnae of Die Junge Akademie, a representative from the Volkswagen Foundation, and well-known individuals from the scientific and research community. The ten winners will be selected from the shortlist by lottery. When choosing the best research environment, the selection committee will consider aspects such as a clear concept/identity, roles and responsibilities, communication channels, networks, and future plans.

Die Junge Akademie is the world’s first academy for scientists and researchers in the early and middle stages of their careers and has become an important voice in Germany’s science system over the course of its almost 25-year history. In cooperation with the Volkswagen Foundation it is now launching the inaugural award for the best research environment. The Volkswagen Foundation provided financial support to Die Junge Akademie until 2005, thus helping to establish the organisation.

With its profile area ‘Understanding Research’, the Volkswagen Foundation opens up spaces for reflection and supports structural changes in the science system. One thematic focus is on the diversity of scientific culture(s).

You can find all relevant information about the award, selection criteria, and access to the online application process here.

Die Junge Akademie was founded in 2000 as the world’s first academy for outstanding young academics. Its members – who come from all academic disciplines as well as creative fields – explore the potential and limits of interdisciplinary work in new projects, aim to encourage dialogue between academia and society, and provide new impetus in discussions about scientific policy. Die Junge Akademie is supported by the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BBAW) and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. Its office is located in Berlin.

Contact

Die Junge Akademie
Anne Rohloff
Phone +49 30-241899-106
press@diejungeakademie.de
www.diejungeakademie.de/en