Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Dissertation Award in Physics

The Physics Department of the University of Wuppertal, together with the Scientific Institution Physics of the Heinrich Heine University, annually awards the Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Dissertation Prize, which is supported by the Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation. A competition is held to select the best dissertation in the field of physics.

The best applicants, selected by a jury, are invited to a decision colloquium where they can present their scientific work and compete for the prize. Here, too, a jury decides who can take home the prize.

Invitation to the Selection Colloquium

The selection colloquium for the 2026 WEH Dissertation Award will take place on

• Thursday 22 October 2026,
• from 2:00 pm
• in room to be confirmed

at Heinrich Heine University.

 

Information on the application process in 2026

The prize is endowed with 4,000 euros and honours outstanding doctoral achievements in physics. All doctoral candidates from both institutions who have completed their doctorate in the period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026 are eligible to participate. The decisive factor is the date of the oral doctoral examination, evidenced by a provisional doctoral certificate. Prerequisite is a degree with "Summa Cum Laude" or "Magna Cum Laude".

Application procedure

The prize is awarded in a two-stage procedure:

1. Pre-selection based on the documents submitted
2. Decision colloquium for the best candidates (probably at the beginning of the winter semester)

Documents to be submitted

Please send your complete application documents exclusively electronically in PDF format to the Chair of the Prize Committee (Prof. Dr Hartmut Löwen, hlowen@hhu.de) by 31 August 2026 at the latest. The application must include the following documents

• Cover letter
• Copy of the Master's transcript
• Copy of the doctoral certificate
• Copy of the dissertation
• If applicable, copies of publications resulting from the dissertation
• Provisional doctoral certificate with examination date

Please note that applications can only be considered if all documents are submitted on time and in full.

Further information

For details on the selection procedure and the conditions of participation, please refer to the official prize regulations.

Previous prize winners and selection panels