KIT Internal Call: Bertha Benz Prize 2025

The Daimler and Benz Foundation awards annually the ▶ Bertha Benz Prize to commemorate the achievements of Bertha Benz. In the spirit of its name-giver, it honors young female engineers with outstanding dissertations. Young female engineers who have added value for society with the findings of their dissertations may be nominated for the Bertha Benz Prize by their scientific institutions.

The prize, which is endowed with EUR 15,000 and acknowledges – in the recognition of Bertha Benz – pioneering spirit, courage and visionary character.

Selection Criteria

The doctorate (Dr.-Ing.) was awarded no more than one year ago by the date of nomination (March 1, 2025); the date of the doctoral certificate applies. The dissertation has been graded either “magna cum laude” or “summa cum laude”. The call for applications of the Daimler and Benz Foundation is available for ▶ download (German only). It is not possible for doctoral researchers to apply directly to the Daimler and Benz Foundation.

Selection Process at KIT

The Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS) receives the applications and coordinates the internal nomination process at KIT. The selection of nominations forwarded to the Daimler and Benz Foundation is made by the ▶ Council for Research and Promotion of Young Scientists (CRYS). The final decision is made by the KIT Executive Board.

KIT is allowed to nominate a maximum of three outstanding female young scientists.

Required Documents

The following documents have to be submitted exclusively in digital form as single documents to KHYS in German or English:

• Doctoral certificate (or a preliminary document as confirmation)
• Summary with the main results of the research work (maximum 3 pages)
• Tabular curriculum vitae
• List of publications
• Copies of the examination certificates (intermediate diploma/bachelor's degree, diploma/master's degree)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Doctoral thesis (ideally as a download link)
• Completed ▶ Excel spreadsheet

Please note that the Excel spreadsheet serves as an overview and will also be made available to the selection committee. This means that this overview should summarize the most important information contained in your CV and your list of publications.

Please submit the documents individually, named as Family name_Document name_Bertha-Benz Prize-2025, by Monday, January 20, 2025, by e-mail to ▶ auszeichnungen∂khys.kit.edu.

Final Information on Applying

• Only complete applications submitted on time and in proper condition will be considered for selection.
• A preliminary document instead of the doctoral certificate can be handed in first, but the doctoral certificate is needed in case of a nomination not later than February 28, 2025.
• The Excel sheet must be submitted in English. All other documents can also be submitted in German. In principle, English is the preferred language, as the selection commission communicates mainly in English.