Research Prize Awards for Young Heidelberg Researchers

The Heidelberg University Foundation recognizes young researchers by awarding Ruprecht Karl Prizes for their outstanding academic publications. The awards go to five recent doctoral candidates from different disciplines. The Fritz Grunebaum Prize will also be presented during the award ceremony in the Great Hall of the Old University. The Foundation is hosting the event with university Rector Prof. Dr Frauke Melchior on Friday 24 October 2025.

The winners of the Ruprecht Karl Prizes are Dr Nicole Sara Colaianni (history), Dr Julia Lemp (global health), Dr Letitia Parcalabescu (computer linguistics), Dr Felix Draxler (Computer Science and Mathematics) and Dr Lukas Maximilian Sigmund (chemistry). They are each to receive prize money of 3,000 euros. The Fritz Grunebaum Prize of the Heidelberg University Foundation, which likewise comes with 3,000 euros in prize money, is awarded for exceptional studies in the field of economics or business law. The winner this year is Dr Sina Allgeier (law). She is being recognized for her work on “Sustainability and Small and Medium-sized Businesses”, which addresses the status and continuation of European sustainability legislation in this context.

The first speakers at the award ceremony will be the Rector of Heidelberg University and Dr Monika Vierheilig, chair of the board of the Heidelberg University Foundation. Pharmacologist Prof. Dr Rohini Kuner, Romance scholar Prof. Dr Sybille Groß and legal scholar Prof. Dr Gerhard Dannecker – members of the jury for granting the awards – will introduce the prize-winners and pay tribute to their research.

The Heidelberg University Foundation has since 1990 awarded the two prizes to young researchers from Ruperto Carola who have accomplished outstanding research. Generally, the six best doctoral theses are recognized in this way every year. The multi-level, university-wide selection process takes into account early-stage academic work from all subjects. Over 190 people have received these awards to date.

The event in the Great Hall of the Old University to award the Ruprecht Karl Prizes and the Fritz Grunebaum Prize starts at 6pm. Media representatives are warmly invited to attend and report.