Boosting independent careers in science.
The Boehringer Ingelheim Prize.
The Boehringer Ingelheim Prize honours outstanding scientists in the Rhine-Main region who pursue basic research in the biological, chemical or medical sciences and have already taken their first steps towards scientific independence. The award recognises both past publication achievements and future potential with the aim of providing new impetus for a successful independent career in basic academic research.
From 2026, the prize will include:
- Three finalists will receive a personal prize of 5,000 EUR each in recognition of their outstanding publication achievements.
- All finalists will be offered professional training in scientific presentation skills.
- One finalist will be awarded the main prize of 55,000 EUR in flexible funding to support an original and creative research project of up to 2 years, designed to strengthen their independent research profile.
The prize is announced annually in November. Applications may be submitted online until 15 January of the following year. The award ceremony takes place each summer in Ingelheim and highlights the achievements of advanced early-career researchers.
Selection Board of the Boehringer Ingelheim Prize
The Selection Board of the Boehringer Ingelheim Prize comprises six renowned scientists, reflecting the thematic diversity of the prize. Serving on a voluntary basis, they select the three finalists and the main prize winner from the submitted applications. In addition, they support the strategic development of the prize and contribute to the organisation of the award ceremony.
Current members of the Selection Board:
- Prof. Dr Peter Becker – Ludwig Maximilians University Munich
- Dr Traugott Gruppe – Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG
- Prof. Dr Christian Hackenberger – Leibniz Research Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP), Berlin
- Prof. Dr Matthias Schwab – Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology (IKP), Stuttgart and University Hospital Tübingen
- Prof. Dr Blanche Schwappach-Pignataro – University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
- Prof. Dr Esther von Stebut-Borschitz – University Hospital Cologne
- Prof. Dr Franziska Traube – University of Stuttgart