The Paul Ehrlich Foundation annually honors an exceptional early-career scientist based in Germany for groundbreaking research in the life sciences. The prestigious
Paul Ehrlich & Ludwig Darmstaedter Early Career Award includes an endowment of €60,000, designated for advancing the recipient's research efforts.
Recent award winners and their research topics:| 2026 | Varun Venkataramani | Targeting
the neural blueprint of brain tumors |
| 2025 | Tobias Ackels | Navigating the odor landscape in mammals |
| 2024 | Johannes Karges | Remote-controlled and targeted activation of cytostatics |
| 2023 | Leif Ludwig | A pioneering method for blood stem cell diagnostics |
University professors and directors of research institutions in Germany are eligible to submit nominations. Self-applications will not be considered. Candidates should be under 40 years old at the time of the award ceremony (
exceptions according to DFG rules) and not hold a tenured professorship or equivalent position.
Proposals are requested in English as single PDF. The file should include a comprehensive justification, the candidate's three most significant papers, full copies of these three publications, as well as the candidate's
curriculum vitae.
Please email submissions by Monday, May 11, 2026 to the Chair of the Selection Committee:
Prof. Dr. Maria Vehreschild, Head of the Infectiology Department at the University Hospital Frankfurt, paul-ehrlich-nachwuchspreis@uni-frankfurt.de.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to present their research at a selection symposium in Frankfurt on September 7, 2026. Following the symposium, the award recipient will be chosen by the Scientific Council of the Paul Ehrlich Foundation, based on the Selection Committee’s recommendation. Following the symposium, the award recipient will be selected by the Scientific Council of the Paul Ehrlich Foundation based on the Selection Committee's recommendation. The award ceremony will take place in the historic Paulskirche, Frankfurt — a powerful symbol of German democracy — on March 14, 2027, in celebration of Paul Ehrlich's birthday.
For further information: paul-ehrlich-nachwuchspreis@uni-frankfurt.de
Contact: Jannen Stauch, phone: +49-69-798-12133
