Competition Terms and Conditions

FOREWORD

Innovation is the foundation of all progress and is therefore essential to the sustained success of businesses in Saxony-Anhalt. For more than 30 years, the State of Saxony-Anhalt has presented the Hugo Junkers Award for pioneering innovations in science, industry and the skilled trades. Individuals, entrepreneurs and researchers at the state's universities and research institutions are invited to apply for the Hugo Junkers Award for Research and Innovation from Saxony-Anhalt with their outstanding inventions, scientific achievements or product developments.

The Hugo Junkers Award for Research and Innovation from Saxony-Anhalt supports visionaries and forward thinkers who turn new, creative ideas into innovative processes, products, services or business models, or who initiate partnerships. This year's special award focuses on the most innovative initiatives and projects for adapting to climate change.

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 – Investitions- und Marketinggesellschaft Sachsen-Anhalt mbH in cooperation with Impetuum GmbH (formerly Univations GmbH).

## The current application period closed on June 30, 2025. The award ceremony will take place on June 11, 2026. ##

Your Questions – Our Answers

WHICH CATEGORIES RECEIVE AWARDS? WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?

The Hugo Junkers Award for Research and Innovation from Saxony-Anhalt is presented in the following four equally weighted categories.

Most Innovative Projects in Basic Research
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.
Most Innovative Projects in Applied Research
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.
Most Innovative Products, Services and Business Models
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.
Special Category: Most Innovative Initiatives and Projects for Climate Change Adaptation
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.

WHICH CATEGORY IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Applicants select their category, but the jury may change this classification where appropriate.

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

The State of Saxony-Anhalt provides a total of €80,000 for the Hugo Junkers Award for Research and Innovation from Saxony-Anhalt across four equally weighted categories. The allocation and distribution of the prize money are fixed.

The following prizes are available in each category:
1st place: €10,000 | 2nd place: €7,000 | 3rd place: €3,000

In addition to the financial award and trophy, the prize includes marketing services such as the production of promotional photographs, video material and texts, as well as a certificate presented to the company, individual or institution. The winning applicants and their entries are featured on the website and in an applicant brochure, and all competition participants are named.
The public announcement of the winners and presentation of the Hugo Junkers Award for Research and Innovation from Saxony-Anhalt will take place at a ceremony, currently scheduled for June 4, 2026.
Winners are also entitled to identify their award-winning entry using the official Hugo Junkers Award for Research and Innovation from Saxony-Anhalt logo. This entitlement continues for as long as the entry is marketed without changes.

IS THE PRIZE MONEY TAXABLE?

The Hugo Junkers Award prize money is not subject to an audit of how it is used, so it can also be paid to a private individual. Depending on whether it is paid to an institution or a private individual, the prize money is subject to VAT or income tax legislation and must be declared on the recipient's tax return. Unfortunately, we cannot recommend a standard procedure. We therefore advise you to consult a tax advisor in advance to clarify the position in your individual case.

WHO CAN TAKE PART?

Individuals, founders, entrepreneurs and researchers at universities and research institutions with a registered office or place of business in Saxony-Anhalt are eligible to participate if they can demonstrate that they have developed innovative products, processes, services and/or business models. The research and development work must have been carried out predominantly in Saxony-Anhalt.

In all categories, collaboration partners from outside the state may have been or may still be involved in the innovation process. However, the majority of the innovation, research and/or commercial exploitation must take place within Saxony-Anhalt.

I have entered the Hugo Junkers Award before. Can I apply again?
Yes. Applicants from previous years may enter again with a new submission or if they can demonstrate new findings relating to an innovation submitted in an earlier year.
Can I take part as a student?
Yes. Students may also enter the Hugo Junkers Award if their submission meets the eligibility requirements. Please contact us if you are unsure.
Can I take part with partners from other regions or countries?
Yes. If you have developed your entry in cooperation or partnership with institutions from elsewhere, you are welcome to apply jointly with those partners. However, most of the development of your entry must have taken place in Saxony-Anhalt. You must be able to demonstrate this in your application.
I no longer live in Saxony-Anhalt, but I developed my entry there. Can I still apply?
Yes. You can enter the competition even if you do not or no longer live in Saxony-Anhalt. What matters is that the research and development work, or another significant part of the value creation, was or is carried out predominantly in Saxony-Anhalt.

HOW DO I APPLY?

Submit your complete application documents online.

Can I submit several applications in different categories?
Yes. You may enter several innovative projects, products or services in the competition. You must complete a separate application form and submit the required attachments for each development.
Can I submit my application confidentially?
Yes. You can submit a confidential application. Your application form and all other documents will be shared only with the jury for assessment. All material intended for publication will be agreed with you in advance and released only with your approval.
What if I cannot answer every question on the application form?
As a rule, you should of course submit a fully completed application form. Depending on the category you choose, however, you may not be able to answer every question, as the form is designed for all categories. For example, in basic research you may not yet be able to provide revenue figures for your project.
Please contact us so that we can discuss the question in relation to your entry and give you a specific answer.
Which attachments must I include?
In addition to the application form, you may include images, videos or graphics that explain your entry. Videos must be no longer than one minute. An upload facility is provided in section 9 of the application form.

WHAT DOES A COMPLETE APPLICATION INCLUDE?

An application for the Hugo Junkers Award for Research and Innovation from Saxony-Anhalt must include the following documents:

A completed application form, either the online form at www.hugo-junkers-preis.de or the downloadable PDF form;
Optionally, photographs or PDF presentations suitable for presenting the entry to the public. Please ensure that the necessary rights to use the material have been secured. Files can be made available through the form or via a download or transfer link;
For the assessment of design aspects, you may submit a physical example or provide details of opportunities to view the entry.

HOW DOES THE COMPETITION WORK?

The competition consists of:

Submission of the complete application documents;
Applications must be submitted online, by email or by post (date of postmark) no later than June 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. to:
IMG Investitions- und Marketinggesellschaft Sachsen-Anhalt mbH
Nicole Krüger
Am Alten Theater 6
39104 Magdeburg
Tel.: +49 391 568 99 14
info@hugo-junkers-preis.de
www.hugo-junkers-preis.de
Your application is complete once IMG has received the documents correctly, on time and in accordance with the call for entries. Every participant will then receive an acknowledgment of receipt. Submitted documents cannot be returned. Physical items submitted in support of an application may be collected from IMG after the award ceremony.
Assessment of the applications by our independent expert jury;
Selection of finalists at a jury meeting (September 4, 2025, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., internal meeting);
Presentation of the entries by the finalists to the jury (November 11, 2025, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Leopoldina, Halle (Saale));
Announcement of the winners and award ceremony (June 4, 2026, 5:00–11:00 p.m., Magdeburg).

IS THERE A FEE TO ENTER?

No. Participation is entirely free. There is no entry or processing fee for the Hugo Junkers Award for Research and Innovation from Saxony-Anhalt 2025.

HOW, WHEN AND BY WHOM WILL I BE NOTIFIED OF MY NOMINATION?

You will receive an email directly at the primary contact address given in your application. The email will be sent by Investitions- und Marketinggesellschaft Sachsen-Anhalt mbH and/or Impetuum GmbH.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE JURY PITCH?

Impetuum GmbH offers nominees optional pitch training and preparatory coaching free of charge. Details, dates and available options will be provided in personal emails announcing the nominations for the Hugo Junkers Award.

WHO ASSESSES THE ENTRIES?

An independent jury of experts from science, industry and the skilled trades decides on nominations and the allocation of the Hugo Junkers Award for Research and Innovation from Saxony-Anhalt in four categories. To inform their decisions, jury members may consult additional independent experts. These experts serve only in an advisory capacity and have no voting rights. The jury's decisions are binding and cannot be challenged. No reasons will be given for applications that are not selected for an award or nomination.

WHAT ARE THE ASSESSMENT CRITERIA?

Competition entries are assessed against the following criteria, applied differently according to the category:

Originality and degree of innovation;
Overall concept and design of the value creation system, including production and distribution, combined product-and-service offerings and, where applicable, networks and a new business model;
Design and technical quality, including innovative design solutions, functionality, workmanship and the use of new materials and technologies;
Energy and resource efficiency, including environmental compatibility during manufacture, use and disposal;
Entrepreneurial achievement, including willingness to take risks, marketing strategy, focus on target groups and markets, and identification of market niches;
Practical value and commercial success, including benefits to users compared with competing products, marketing strategy and market success, and both addressed and untapped potential;
Contribution to solving current societal challenges, including practical relevance and innovation potential;
Potential for widespread use and exploitation of the results in business, science and education;
Scientific, technical and socioeconomic quality of the work.

DOES MY ENTRY HAVE TO BE ON THE MARKET?

No. In principle, your entry does not need to be established on the market yet. However, the expected stage of development differs by category:

In the Basic Research category, you only need to be able to demonstrate your project's technical feasibility and commercial potential.
In the Applied Research category, you should be able to demonstrate the effects of your development through studies and identify initial target groups.
In the Most Innovative Products, Services and Business Models category and the Special Award category, your entry should at least be close to a successful market launch, with evidence supporting its successful establishment on the market.

Detailed criteria for each category can be found in the call for entries and in the FAQ Which category is most suitable for my application?

APPLICANTS' CONSENT

Competition participants agree to public reporting, including the publication of images and presentation of their entries in a brochure for the Hugo Junkers Award for Research and Innovation from Saxony-Anhalt and in other publications, including the website and social media (X, Instagram and LinkedIn), as well as at relevant events organized by the State of Saxony-Anhalt. Participants warrant that publishing their entries in documentation and exhibitions will not infringe third-party rights. They shall accordingly indemnify the responsible organizer against third-party claims (see the notice on the application form). False information will result in exclusion from the competition.

Legal recourse is excluded in relation to all activities concerning the Hugo Junkers Award for Research and Innovation from Saxony-Anhalt.

CALL FOR ENTRIES

The call for entries is published at www.hugo-junkers-preis.de.

WHO IS BEHIND THE AWARD?
The Hugo Junkers Award for Research and Innovation from Saxony-Anhalt 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 – Investitions- und Marketinggesellschaft Sachsen-Anhalt mbH in cooperation with Impetuum GmbH (formerly Univations GmbH).