Science Award 2017

Announcement of the

Science Award Electrochemistry

Powering Electromobility: Challenges from Material to Production
raised by BASF and Volkswagen

Strong and efficient energy storage is essential for renewable energy as well as for electric vehicles. Thus scientific research and its application have to draw great attention to create innovation in the battery value chain to contribute to sustainable energy supply and individual mobility.

BASF and Volkswagen, two leading industrial companies, wish to fund excellent scientific research in the faculties of chemistry, physics and engineering, as well as its application in energy storage. The research activities in focus of this Science Award contest could address, but are not limited to, battery materials, cells, battery systems, production and operations as well as recycling. All aspects of the battery value chain are included in this contest. Scientific as well as applied research is welcome: The initiators encourage researchers from universities, scientific institutions and corporate research labs to participate.

The Science Award contest should give the impetus for a new generation of researchers, including, but not limited to, postdoctoral fellows intending to habilitate or assistant professors/junior professors establishing a new institute or chair.

Additionally in 2017, the initiators of the contest want to draw attention especially to the field of applied research with a Award for Applied Research. Innovation needs applied research to transfer basic research into practice. Please note that this Award for Applied Research has special terms and conditions.

The total prize money of the Science Award is 100,000 EUR with the first rank worth 40,000 EUR for the best application selected by a high-ranked jury of experts. The Award for Applied Research is endowed with a prize money of 40,000 EUR.

For detailed information particularly with regard to terms and conditions of both contests, application requirements and further application details, please refer to the contest invitations which are available on this website. The closing date for applications is August 18, 2017, midnight (Central European Time, CET).


Ludwigshafen/Wolfsburg, May 4, 2017

BASF SE            Volkswagen AG