Abt Jerusalem Prize for outstanding scientific work announced Searching for: Researchers who build bridges to society

The Braunschweig Abt Jerusalem Prize will be announced nationwide for the first time in 2026. Since 2009, the award has recognised outstanding scientific work that explores the dialogue between the humanities, natural sciences and technology. The prize will be awarded for the eighth time in 2026. The search is on for scientists who build bridges between different disciplines and into society through their work. The deadline for applications is 15 January 2026.

Scientific progress thrives on the ability to overcome disciplinary boundaries, integrate perspectives and create new approaches. With the Abt Jerusalem Prize, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Braunschweig, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweigische Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft and Stiftung Braunschweigischer Kulturbesitz recognise outstanding scientific achievements that realise these goals. Professor Katja Koch, Vice-President for Teacher Training at TU Braunschweig, emphasises the innovative power of this approach: “The Abt Jerusalem Prize honours researchers who are not only excellent in their field of research. We honour scientists who have the ability and courage to break through disciplinary silos and advance interdisciplinary knowledge.”

For the first time, the prize will be awarded through a call for entries. Maria-Rosa Berghahn, Director of the Braunschweig Cultural Heritage Foundation, comments: “It is very important to us as initiators to continue developing this important prize. In order to raise awareness of the event among the general public, we have decided to use a call for entries for the first time.”

Named after the Protestant theologian and Enlightenment thinker Friedrich Wilhelm Jerusalem (1709 to 1789), Abbot of Riddagshausen and co-founder of the Collegium Carolinum, the prize stands for reflective, critical and productive dialogue between disciplines on socially relevant issues. Kerstin Vogt, director of the Protestant Academy Abt Jerusalem, emphasises that the prize is particularly close to her heart because it brings the ideas of the academy’s namesake back into focus: “The church is at its most powerful when it does not retreat into itself, but seeks productive exchange with interdisciplinary research.”

Innovation, transfer and bridge-building expressly desired

Applications are open to researchers with a doctoral degree who work at universities or non-university research institutions in Germany. Scientific works (monographs, article series, research projects) that have already been published or completed can be submitted. Particular recognition will be given to contributions to the dialogue between the humanities, natural sciences and technical sciences, scientific excellence and originality, interdisciplinary innovation and bridge-building, as well as social impact and transfer potential. Purely academic theses (dissertations, master’s theses) cannot be considered.

The prize is endowed with 5,000 euros. The award ceremony will take place in September 2026 at the Evangelische Akademie Abt Jerusalem in Braunschweig. Applications (in German or English) can be submitted now, and the deadline for applications is 15 January 2026. Researchers can apply with projects and publications or be nominated by third parties. Documents to be submitted to info@sbk.niedersachsen.de are: letter of motivation, CV, list of publications.