Wittenstein Foundation cooperates with Würzburg University Friends and Patrons
14.08.2024
The new “Würzburg Award for Research and Transfer”, conferred by the Wittenstein Foundation and the JMU (Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg) Association of Friends and Patrons supports outstanding, interdisciplinary research with high potential benefits for society. The award, worth €50,000, will be presented for the first time in November 2024.
The welfare and well-being of society and future generations on a technological, social, medical, cultural, economic or political level – the first “Würzburg Award for Research and Transfer” seeks to recognize precisely these virtues. In the future, the award will be presented annually for innovative research projects undertaken at JMU. The intention is to generate significant leverage effects for high-caliber transfer projects from an early stage and assist them in gaining visibility in the battle for long-term, high-volume funding.
Award promotes innovative spirit, foresight and courage
The projects supported in this way aim to improve human life through innovative research at the highest level. “As such, they are consistent with Julius Maximilian University’s responsibility in a modern, democratic and future-oriented knowledge society – for example, by promoting health and prosperity, encouraging sustainable thinking and action, showing ways out of the climate crisis, strengthening participation in knowledge, education and democracy or helping to break down biographical and cultural barriers”, said University President Professor Paul Pauli. The award-winning projects can relate either to scientific transfer or transformation experiments or to innovative concepts, models, programs or inventions that have emerged from excellent scientific research at JMU and have applications in society – not only in the local region but also beyond.
The projects are assessed with regard to scientific innovation, social transformation and the effect of the investment: for instance, the prize money of €50,000 must be adequate to take the project to the next stage of development – in other words, to bring about a positive change in defined problem areas of current or future society.
“The idea behind this award was that science, business and society should demonstrate solidarity with, and responsibility for, each other in the interests of the region’s ongoing development”, added Dr. Manfred Wittenstein, initiator and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Wittenstein Foundation, when prompted to sum up his motivation for sponsoring the award.
Other regional foundations to be involved in the long term
The award will initially be funded solely by the Wittenstein Foundation; however, the goal for the future is to persuade other regional foundations to provide long-term co-financing. “It’s a unique award that will create visibility far beyond the local area. I’m convinced that other foundations will be happy to participate over time”, announced Dr. Gunther Schunk, who chairs the university’s Association of Friends and Patrons (Universitätsbund Würzburg).
Applications – whether from teams of several scientists or from individuals – can be submitted to the JMU Research Advancement Centre Würzburg in the form of a written exposé up until September 15, 2024; the final decision on funding will be taken by the Association of Friends and Patrons in consultation with the Wittenstein Foundation. Further information on the application procedure can be found on the JMU website.
The award ceremony will take place on November 13, 2024 as part of the Association’s annual festive concert in Würzburg University’s Neubaukirche church.
Downloads
Image source: Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg
The “New University Sanderring” (main building) at Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg.
Comments