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Prize Money

We are looking for innovative basic research projects from science, industry and the skilled trades in Saxony-Anhalt. Applicants must be able to demonstrate the relevance of their findings and the scientific advances they represent. Initial ideas for potential commercial applications should also be in place. In addition to individual institutions, collaborations, alliances and partnerships from science, industry and/or the skilled trades are eligible to apply.

The nominees are:

• "Rapid, highly specific diagnosis of viruses and bacteria using mass spectrometry with automated sample preparation";
  Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
• "Kinetochore manipulation and heat stress to produce haploid plants";
  Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben
• "AI-assisted metabolite fingerprinting to predict the mechanisms of action of new anticancer agents";
  Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Halle (Saale)
• "Development of a moss photobioreactor to supply propagation material for rewetted peatlands";
  Anhalt University of Applied Sciences
• "Blood beta-synuclein for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and stroke";
  Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

Prize Money

1st place: €10,000  |  2nd place: €7,000  |  3rd place: €3,000

We are looking for innovative applied research projects from science, industry and the skilled trades in Saxony-Anhalt. Representative research results must be available in the form of a prototype, a clinical study or similar evidence. The development should also have foreseeable benefits for the regional economy by enabling the creation of new products, services, business models or jobs. This should be supported by market analyses and/or concrete plans for market entry. In addition to individual institutions, collaborations, alliances and partnerships from science, industry and/or the skilled trades are eligible to apply.

The nominees are:

• "New cancer therapies through targeted inhibition of RNA-binding proteins";
  Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
• "Thermoplastic Sandwich Moulding Technology";
  Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS, Halle (Saale)
• "Cochlear implant simulations: making electrical stimulation audible";
  University Medicine Halle (Saale)
• "Scanatiq" wireless magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) coils;
  Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, STIMULATE Research Campus
• "RoboSensation" multimodal AI for recognizing speech, facial expressions, gestures and vital signs;
  Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg

Prize Money

1st place: €10,000  |  2nd place: €7,000  |  3rd place: €3,000

We are looking for creative products, innovative services and/or new business models from science, industry and the skilled trades. The entry must offer a unique customer benefit and/or demonstrably improve existing products. It must already be on the market or be due to enter the market shortly. Demand for the entry should be demonstrated through verifiable market research, such as applicants' own industry analyses or customer surveys, or representative third-party studies. In addition to individual institutions, collaborations, alliances and partnerships from science, industry and/or the skilled trades are eligible to apply.

The nominees are:

• "X-ray collimator system for cancer surgery";
  RAYDIAX GmbH, Magdeburg
• "Innovative 3D printing technology for automated sand core production in the foundry industry";
  Laempe Mössner Sinto GmbH, Meitzendorf, Barleben
• "Digital booking system for universities";
  UniNow GmbH, Magdeburg
• "Integral chopped carbon fibers for reinforcing ultra-high-performance concrete";
  newcycle GmbH, Sangerhausen
• "ScanExpress – mobile industrial CT system for non-destructive component testing";
  Microvista GmbH, Blankenburg

Prize Money

1st place: €10,000  |  2nd place: €7,000  |  3rd place: €3,000

We are looking for innovative products and services from companies and institutions whose findings, initiatives and projects put new approaches into practice to help the economy, the environment and society adapt to a changing climate in the years ahead.

The nominees are:

• "Regional production of building materials from industrial hemp";
  Hanffaser Geiseltal eG, Mücheln
• "Biodiversity-friendly agrivoltaic installation";
  Anhalt University of Applied Sciences
• "Energy-efficient, low-CO₂ contract granulation and drying from Saxony-Anhalt";
  IPT Pergande GmbH, Weißandt-Gölzau, Südliches Anhalt
• "BIOTUBES – living materials made from fungi, bacteria and algae grow directly into complex 3D structures";
  Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle
• "CoSeCats – a scalable, load-flexible catalyst–reactor system for the chemical storage of renewable energy";
  Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems

Prize Money

1st place: €10,000  |  2nd place: €7,000  |  3rd place: €3,000