Award to support early career researchers in economics to carry out socially relevant interdisciplinary research and transfer projects in Germany. In 2026, the award focuses on the topic of ‘Smarter Use of Water’.

Joachim Herz Stiftung (Joachim Herz Foundation) is a charitable foundation dedicated to the promotion of education, science, and research in economics and the natural sciences.

The Joachim Herz Award supports early career researchers in Germany to work on socially relevant interdisciplinary research and transfer projects. The 2026 award is presented to researchers in economics, and focuses on the topic of ‘Smarter Use of Water’.

Funded projects are economic research initiatives that incorporate approaches from other fields to develop groundbreaking solutions for the smart use of water. The questions addressed may range from economic incentive systems for efficient water consumption to the development of regulatory instruments for a future-oriented circular economy. The contribution should also outline a transfer project that promotes implementation in business, society or politics.

The award is aimed at economists who hold a doctorate, are in the early stages of their careers, and are employed at a research institution in Germany. The award may go to individual researchers as well as to a group. Applications from researchers from other European countries are also accepted; however, they must have commenced their research work at a German research institution by the time of the award being granted.

Award winners receive a project grant of €500,000 to advance their research projects or develop transfer activities. The funds are available for a period of up to three years.

For the 2026 award, applications must be submitted by the deadline of 31 March 2026.