Call for nominations

The German Astronomical Society awards the following prizes. Detailed information on eligibility and the structure of the awards is laid down in the statutes:

Ludwig Biermann Promotion Prize 2026

The German Astronomical Society awards the Ludwig Biermann Promotion Prize to an outstanding astronomer whose doctoral degree was obtained no more than six years ago. The prize consists of a certificate and a monetary award of €3,000, intended to enable the recipient to undertake a research stay at an institute of their choice.

Doctoral Thesis Prize 2026

The German Astronomical Society awards the Doctoral Thesis Prize to a young astronomer for the best doctoral dissertation of the previous calendar year. The prize consists of a certificate and a monetary award of €1,000.

Prize for Astrophysical Software 2026

The German Astronomical Society awards the Prize for Astrophysical Software for the design and development of astrophysical computer programs that have led to significant advances in astrophysical knowledge. The prize consists of a certificate and a monetary award of €3,000.

The Prize for Astrophysical Software is awarded every two years, alternating with the Prize for Instrument Development.

Bruno H. Bürgel Prize 2026

Also to be awarded at the 2026 annual meeting is the Bruno H. Bürgel Prize, announced by the Executive Committee. This prize recognizes outstanding popular presentations of recent astronomical results in the German language across various media. The prize consists of a certificate and a monetary award of €2,000. It may be awarded every two years.

Hans Ludwig Neumann Prize 2026

The German Astronomical Society awards the Hans Ludwig Neumann Prize for an outstanding subject-didactic work related to the teaching of astronomy in schools. The prize consists of a certificate and a monetary award of €2,000. It may be awarded every two years.

We ask members of the German Astronomical Society to submit nominations in writing to the President by 31 January 2026, including a compelling justification, a list of publications, and a scientific CV of the nominee. For all prizes, we explicitly encourage the nomination of women (praesidentin@astronomische-gesellschaft.de).

The Executive Committee also gladly accepts suggestions for individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the interests and objectives of the German Astronomical Society and should be appointed honorary members.