The Copernicus Award is a joint initiative by the Fundacja na rzecz Nauki Polskiej (FNP) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG). It recognizes outstanding achievements in Polish-German research cooperation across all fields of science and the humanities. Nominations are now being accepted for the eleventh presentation of this prestigious award.

Purpose of the Award

The Copernicus Award aims to honor researchers actively involved in Polish-German research collaborations. It specifically targets those who have made exceptional contributions to their fields through this cooperation. The award highlights the value of combining complementary skills, expertise, and resources to tackle significant research challenges.

Successful collaborations should demonstrate significant relevance to the research community. They should also possess the potential to unlock new perspectives within the respective research field and beyond. The award emphasizes the impact and future potential of collaborative research endeavors.

The award promotes international collaboration and recognizes the synergistic benefits of combining diverse expertise. It encourages researchers to engage in joint projects that address complex problems and contribute to advancements in knowledge.

Award Details and Funding

The Copernicus Award grants €200,000 in prize money, equally shared by the DFG and the FNP. The award is divided equally between two recipients, one from Germany and one from Poland. The funds are specifically intended to further intensify Polish-German research cooperation.

The prize money should be strategically used to enhance existing collaborations or initiate new joint research projects. This funding aims to foster deeper engagement and more impactful outcomes in Polish-German research partnerships. The award supports the long-term sustainability of these collaborations.

The awardees will be announced in spring 2026, and the award ceremony will take place in Poland in June 2026. This event will celebrate the achievements of the awardees and promote the importance of international research collaboration.

Eligibility and Nomination Requirements

Eligible nominators include members of the Polish and German academic communities. Nominees must hold at least a doctoral degree and be actively employed at universities and/or research institutions in Germany and Poland. Self-nominations are also welcome, encouraging researchers to showcase their collaborative achievements.

To be eligible, candidates must work at a public university and/or research institution in Germany or any entity belonging to the higher education and science system in Poland. They must also be engaged in ongoing research projects, demonstrating their continued commitment to research. Nominations of female researchers are strongly encouraged to promote diversity and inclusion.

Nominations must include several key documents in English. These include an acknowledgement of the clearly defined, joint academic achievement of the two candidates, curricula vitae of each candidate (max. two pages each), and a list of up to ten publications based on verifiable joint research. One or two independent letters of reference are also required, depending on whether it is a third-party or self-nomination.

Nomination Submission Process

The deadline for submitting nominations is 15 July 2025. All nominations must be submitted electronically through the DFG’s submission portal, elan. Early registration on the elan portal is highly recommended, especially for first-time users.

If you are using the elan portal for the first time, please register before 1 July 2025. This applies also to nominations by third parties. For self-nominations, both cooperation partners must be registered in elan. Please also indicate your subject area and select the call “Copernicus Award 2026” during the registration.

To complete the submission process, a scan of the signed compliance form (Quittungsdokument) in PDF format must be sent to Stephanie Lass (stephanie.lass@dfg.de). Ensure all required documents are prepared and submitted before the deadline to avoid disqualification.

Evaluation Criteria

The jury evaluates nominations based on the academic excellence of joint achievements. The success of the cooperation is also a key factor, with special relevance to the respective research field. The jury comprises renowned researchers from the German and Polish academic communities.

The jury considers the impact and significance of the collaborative research outcomes. They assess the extent to which the cooperation has advanced knowledge and contributed to the field. Up to two associate jury members may be appointed to cover all fields of science and the humanities represented by the candidates.

The evaluation process is rigorous and impartial, ensuring that the most deserving collaborations are recognized. The jury's decision is based on a comprehensive assessment of the submitted materials and the overall impact of the research.