Foreword
Innovation is the foundation of all progress – and a key driver of sustainable and successful business development in Saxony-Anhalt. For over 30 years, the State of Saxony-Anhalt has presented the Hugo Junkers Award to honor groundbreaking innovations from science, industry, and skilled trades.
Individuals, entrepreneurs, and researchers from universities and research institutions across the state are invited to apply with their outstanding inventions, scientific achievements, or product developments for the Hugo Junkers Award for Research and Innovation from Saxony-Anhalt.
The award supports visionaries and pioneers who transform bold ideas into innovative processes, products, services, or business models – or who spark new alliances. This year’s special prize shines a spotlight on the most innovative projects addressing climate change adaptation.
The award is presented by the Ministry of Science, Energy, Climate Protection and the Environment of the State of Saxony-Anhalt. The competition is organized by IMG – Investment and Marketing Corporation of Saxony-Anhalt, in cooperation with Impetuum GmbH (formerly Univations GmbH).
Your Questions – Our Answers
WHICH CATEGORIES ARE AWARDED? WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS?
The Hugo Junkers Award for Research and Innovation from Saxony-Anhalt is presented in the following four equally ranked categories:
1.Most Innovative Basic Research Projects
This category targets innovative basic research projects from science, industry, and the skilled trades based in Saxony-Anhalt. Applicants must demonstrate the topical relevance and scientific advancement of their findings. Initial ideas for possible commercial application should already be in place. Eligible to apply are individual institutions as well as collaborations, alliances, and consortia from academia, industry, and/or the skilled trades.
2.Most Innovative Applied Research Projects
This category seeks applied research projects from science, industry, and the skilled trades in Saxony-Anhalt. Applicants must present representative research results — such as a prototype, clinical study, or similar.
Projects should demonstrate a clear potential for regional economic impact by contributing to the development of new products, services, business models, or jobs. This must be supported by market analysis and/or concrete plans for market introduction. Applications are open to individual institutions as well as to collaborations, alliances, and consortia from academia, industry, and/or the skilled trades.
3.Most Innovative Products, Services, or Business Models
This category is aimed at creative products, innovative services, and/or new business models from science, industry, and the skilled trades. The project must offer unique customer value and/or demonstrably improve existing solutions. It must already be on the market or be close to market launch. Market demand should be supported by verifiable market research, such as industry analyses, customer surveys, or representative third-party studies. Eligible applicants include individual institutions as well as collaborations, alliances, and consortia from academia, industry, and/or the skilled trades.
4.Special Award: Most Innovative Projects for Climate Change Adaptation
This special category recognizes innovative products and services developed by companies and institutions that implement forward-looking approaches to help the economy, the environment, and society adapt to climate change in the years ahead.
WHICH CATEGORY IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Applicants choose the category themselves. However, the jury reserves the right to reassign applications to a more appropriate category if necessary.
WHAT CAN YOU WIN?
The State of Saxony-Anhalt provides a total of €80,000 in prize money for the Hugo Junkers Award for Research and Innovation, distributed equally across the four award categories. The allocation of prize money is predefined as follows:
1st place: €10,000 | 2nd place: €7,000 | 3rd place: €3,000
In addition to the monetary award and trophy, winners also receive a comprehensive marketing package, including professional image photography, video coverage, promotional texts, and a certificate.
Award-winning projects and individuals will be featured on the official website and in a dedicated award brochure. All participants will be listed by name.
The public announcement and presentation of the Hugo Junkers Award will take place during a festive award ceremony, currently scheduled for June 4, 2026.
Furthermore, winners are granted the right to label their awarded project or product with the official Hugo Junkers Award emblem — as long as the project remains unchanged and continues to be marketed.
IS THE PRIZE MONEY SUBJECT TO TAXATION?
The prize money awarded as part of the Hugo Junkers Award is not tied to any specific use or reporting obligations, and may therefore be paid out to private individuals.
Depending on whether the funds are awarded to an institution or a private individual, the prize money may be subject to value-added tax (VAT) or income tax, and must be declared in the respective tax return.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide a standardized tax recommendation. We therefore strongly advise consulting a tax advisor in advance to assess your individual case.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Eligible to apply are individuals, founders, entrepreneurs, and researchers from universities and research institutions based in Saxony-Anhalt, who have demonstrably developed innovative products, processes, services, and/or business models. The majority of the research and development work must have been carried out in Saxony-Anhalt.
Participation is also allowed if cooperation partners from outside the state were or are involved in the innovation process. However, the core innovation, research, and/or economic utilization must primarily take place in Saxony-Anhalt.
I’ve participated in the Hugo Junkers Award before. Can I apply again?
Yes. Previous applicants may reapply if they submit new contributions or can demonstrate new findings related to a previously submitted innovation.
Can students apply?
Yes. Students are also welcome to participate in the Hugo Junkers Award, provided their project meets the stated eligibility requirements. If you are unsure, feel free to reach out to us for clarification.
Can I apply with partners from other countries?
Yes. Joint applications with institutions from outside Germany are possible. However, the majority of the development work must have taken place in Saxony-Anhalt and must be documented accordingly in the application.
I no longer live in Saxony-Anhalt, but the project was developed there. Can I still apply?
Yes. You may still participate if you no longer live in Saxony-Anhalt, as long as the core research and development work, or another significant part of the value creation, took place (or continues to take place) in Saxony-Anhalt.
HOW DO I APPLY?
By submitting your complete application documents online via the official platform.
Can I submit multiple applications in different categories?
Yes, you may participate with multiple innovative projects, products, or services. Please note that you must complete a separate application form and submit the required attachments for each entry.
Can I submit my application confidentially?
Yes, you may choose to submit your application confidentially. Your application form and all additional materials will be shared exclusively with the jury for evaluation purposes. Any public communications will be coordinated with you in advance and require your explicit approval before publication.
What if I can't answer all the questions in the application form?
Ideally, the application form should be filled out completely. However, since the form applies to all categories, not every question may be relevant in your specific case. For example, applicants in the basic research category may not be able to provide revenue figures yet. If you're uncertain about any specific item, please don't hesitate to contact us – we’re happy to discuss how the question applies to your project.
What attachments are required for the application?
In addition to the completed application form, you may optionally include supporting image, video, or graphic material (video max. 1 minute in length). An upload option is available in Section 9 of the application form.
WHAT CONSTITUTES A COMPLETE APPLICATION?
To apply for the Hugo Junkers Award for Research and Innovation from Saxony-Anhalt, your application must include the following:
- A completed application form (available as an online form at www.hugo-junkers-preis.de or as a downloadable PDF)
- Optional: Photos or PDF presentation files that allow for the public presentation of the project. Please ensure that any submitted materials are legally cleared for publication. (Upload options are provided within the form or via a file transfer link)If applicable: Physical submission of the innovation or information on how the project can be viewed in person, especially for the assessment of design-related aspects.
HOW DOES THE COMPETITION WORK?
The competition process consists of the following steps:
Submission of complete application documents
Applications must be submitted no later than June 30, 2025 (11:59 PM CEST)
via online form, email, or postal mail (postmarked by the deadline) to:IMG – Investment and Marketing Corporation of Saxony-Anhalt
Attn: Nicole Krüger
Am Alten Theater 6
39104 Magdeburg, Germany
Phone: +49 391 568 99 14
Email: info@hugo-junkers-preis.de
Web: www.hugo-junkers-preis.deYour application is considered complete once all documents have been received in accordance with the official guidelines and within the specified deadline. Each applicant will receive a confirmation of receipt. Submitted documents will not be returned. Physical items submitted in support of an application may be collected from IMG after the award ceremony.
- Evaluation of applications by the independent expert jury
- Selection of finalists
Jury meeting (internal):
September 4, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM - Finalists' presentations before the jury
November 11, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Leopoldina, Halle (Saale) - Announcement and award ceremony
June 4, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Magdeburg
IS THERE A FEE TO PARTICIPATE?
No. Participation is completely free of charge. There are no entry or processing fees for the Hugo Junkers Award for Research and Innovation from Saxony-Anhalt 2025.
HOW AND WHEN WILL I KNOW IF I’VE BEEN NOMINATED?
You will be notified directly via the primary contact email address you provided in your application.
Notifications are sent by the Investment and Marketing Corporation of Saxony-Anhalt (IMG) and/or Impetuum GmbH.
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR THE JURY PITCH?
Impetuum GmbH offers all nominees non-binding and free pitch training and coaching sessions.
Details, dates, and options will be provided in the nomination notification email.
WHO EVALUATES THE APPLICATIONS?
An independent jury consisting of qualified experts from science, industry, and skilled trades is responsible for evaluating submissions and selecting winners in the four award categories.
The jury may consult additional external experts, who serve solely in an advisory role and have no voting rights.
The jury’s decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
No feedback will be provided on non-selected or non-awarded applications.
WHAT ARE THE EVALUATION CRITERIA?
Submissions will be assessed based on the following criteria, applied differently depending on the category:
- Originality and degree of innovation
- Overall concept and value creation (e.g. production, distribution, networks, business models)
- Design and technical quality (functionality, materials, technologies, execution)
- Energy and resource efficiency (eco-friendliness in production, use, and disposal)
- Entrepreneurial performance (risk-taking, market strategy, customer focus)
- Practical value and market potential (competitiveness, scalability, user benefit)
- Contribution to solving current societal challenges
- Potential for broad utilization and transfer to business, science, and education
- Scientific-technical and socio-economic quality of the work
DOES MY ENTRY HAVE TO BE ON THE MARKET?
Not necessarily. Market readiness depends on the category:
- Basic Research: Proof of technical feasibility and economic potential is sufficient.
- Applied Research: Evidence of the impact and first identified target groups is expected.
- Products, Services & Business Models / Special Award: Your submission should be close to market entry or already successfully launched.
Detailed criteria by category can be found in the official call for applications and in the FAQ section “Which category best fits my application?”
APPLICANT CONSENT
By entering the competition, applicants agree to the public reporting and presentation of their submitted project – including the use of images and descriptions – in the Hugo Junkers Award brochure, on the official website, on social media platforms (X, Instagram, LinkedIn), and at related events hosted by the State of Saxony-Anhalt.
Applicants confirm that publication does not infringe the rights of third parties. The organizers are indemnified against any such claims (as outlined in the application form).
False information may lead to disqualification from the competition.
LEGAL NOTICE
The Hugo Junkers Award for Research and Innovation from Saxony-Anhalt is not subject to legal recourse.
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
The official call for applications is published at: www.hugo-junkers-preis.de
WHO IS BEHIND THE AWARD?
The award is presented by the Ministry of Science, Energy, Climate Protection and the Environment of the State of Saxony-Anhalt.
The competition is organized by the Investment and Marketing Corporation of Saxony-Anhalt (IMG) in collaboration with Impetuum GmbH (formerly Univations GmbH).