GRADE Sustain

Frankfurt Prize for Environment and Sustainability 2026

The Frankfurt Prize for Environment and Sustainability 2026 (main and sponsorship prize(“Förderpreis”)) is awarded for dissertations (Bachelor, Master, PhD) in the field of environmental and socio-ecological sustainability research. This year the award is sponsored by GRADE Sustain.

All students and doctoral candidates of Goethe University who have completed their scientific qualification theses which were submitted to Goethe-University between 01.03.2025 and 28.02.2026 (submission deadline) are eligible to apply.  Furthermore, the thesis has to have clear thematic reference to environment and sustainability. Minimum requirements for the theses are:  For Bachelor's/Master's theses, grade 1.3 and better; for doctoral theses, “magna cum laude” and better.

The following documents must be submitted online:

- A self-written motivation letter in which the environmental relevance or sustainability aspect of the thesis is convincinly presented (1-2 pages),

- a pdf version of the work, and

- filled out table for application

Jury:
An interdisciplinary committee of scientists from Frankfurt will review the submitted entries and select the winners.

Amount:
The main prize is 3,000 Euros, the sponsorship prize is 2,000 Euros.  The prizes can be shared. 
This year we are also offering the opportunity to benefit from a coaching session.

Application:

If you want to apply, please have this checklist in mind.

We look forward to receiving high-quality applications, which should be submitted by March 1, 2026 to

GRADE Center Sustain,
attn. Dr. Henrike Becker
Goethe University Frankfurt am Main

h.becker@grade.uni-frankfurt.de  

The award ceremony will take place as part of the Academic Awards Ceremony of the Department of Geosciences/Geography on Friday, May 22, 2026, from 4 p.m. c.t. on the Riedberg campus.

picture: onehundredseventyfive, pixabay.com