Leibniz Prize

The Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (German: Förderpreis für deutsche Wissenschaftler im Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz-Programm der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft), or Leibniz Prize, is awarded by the German Research Foundation to "exceptional scientists and academics for their outstanding achievements in the field of research". Since 1986, up to ten prizes have been awarded annually to individuals or research groups working at a research institution in Germany or at a German research institution abroad. It is considered the most important research award in Germany.

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize
Förderpreis für deutsche Wissenschaftler im Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz-Programm der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft
Awarded forExceptional scientists and academics for their outstanding achievements in the field of research
LocationBerlin, Germany
Presented byGerman Research Foundation
Rewardup to €2.5 million
First award1986
Websitedfg.de

The prize is named after the German polymath and philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646–1716). It is one of the highest endowed research prizes in Germany with a maximum of €2.5 million per award. Past prize winners include Stefan Hell (2008), Gerd Faltings (1996), Peter Gruss (1994), Svante Pääbo (1992), Theodor W. Hänsch (1989), Erwin Neher (1987), Bert Sakmann (1987), Jürgen Habermas (1986), Hartmut Michel (1986), and Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard (1986).

Prizewinners

2020–2029

2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020

2025:

  • Volker Haucke, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Leibniz Research Institute for Molecular Pharmacology, Berlin
  • Hannes Leitgeb, Theoretical Philosophy, LMU Munich
  • Bettina Valeska Lotsch, Solid State and Materials Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart
  • Wolfram Pernice, Experimental Physics, University of Heidelberg
  • Ana Pombo, Genome Biology, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin
  • Daniel Rueckert, Artificial Intelligence, Technical University of Munich
  • Angkana Rüland, Applied Mathematics, University of Bonn
  • Michael Seewald [de], Catholic Theology, University of Münster
  • Maria-Elena Torres-Padilla, Epigenetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München
  • Robert Zeiser [de], Hemato-Oncology, University Hospital Freiburg

2024:

  • Dmitri Efetov [de], Experimental Solid State Physics, LMU Munich
  • Tobias J. Erb, Synthetic Microbiology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, and University of Marburg
  • Jonas Grethlein, Classical Philology, University of Heidelberg
  • Moritz Helmstaedter, Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt am Main
  • Ulrike Herzschuh [de], Geoecology, Alfred Wegener Institute, Potsdam, and University of Potsdam
  • Eike Kiltz [de], Cryptography, University of Bochum
  • Rohini Kuner, Neuropharmacology, University of Heidelberg
  • Jörn Leonhard, Modern and Contemporary History, University of Freiburg
  • Peter Schreiner, Organic Molecular Chemistry, University of Giessen
  • Eva Viehmann, Mathematics, University of Münster

2023:

  • Lars T. Angenent, Bioengineering, University of Tübingen
  • Claudia Höbartner, Biological Chemistry, Universität Würzburg
  • Achim Menges, Architecture, Universität Stuttgart
  • Sarah O'Connor, Natural Product Biosynthesis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena
  • Stefan Pfister [de], Paediatric Oncology, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) and Universität Heidelberg
  • Hartmut Rosa, Sociology, Universität Jena und Universität Erfurt
  • Georg Schett, Rheumatology, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
  • Catharina Stroppel, Pure Mathematics, University of Bonn
  • Fabian Theis [de], Bio- and Medical Informatics, Helmholtz Zentrum München und Technische Universität München
  • Anita Traninger [de], Romance Literary Studies, Freie Universität Berlin

2022:

  • Almut Arneth [de], Ecosystem Research, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
  • Marietta Auer [de], Law, Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Philosophy
  • Iain Couzin, Behavioral Biology, Konstanz
  • Eileen Furlong, Functional Genomics, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)
  • Peter Hommelhoff [de], Experimental Physics, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg
  • Stefanie Dehnen, Inorganic Molecular Chemistry, University of Marburg
  • Gabriel Martínez-Pinedo [de], Theoretical Physics, GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research und Technische Universität Darmstadt
  • Mischa Meier [de], Ancient History, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen
  • Karen Radner, Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich
  • Moritz Schularick, Economics, University of Bonn

2021:

  • Asifa Akhtar, Epigenetics, Max-Planck-Institut für Immunbiologie und Epigenetik, Freiburg
  • Elisabeth André, Computer Science, Universität Augsburg
  • Giuseppe Caire, Theoretical Communications Engineering, Technische Universität Berlin
  • Nico Eisenhauer, Biodiversity Research, Universität Leipzig
  • Veronika Eyring, Earth System Modelling, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, Standort Oberpfaffenhofen und Universität Bremen
  • Katerina Harvati, Palaeoanthropology, Universität Tübingen und Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment, Tübingen
  • Steffen Mau, Sociology, Humboldt University of Berlin
  • Rolf Müller, Pharmaceutical Biology, Helmholtz-Institut für Pharmazeutische Forschung Saarland (HIPS) and Saarland University
  • Jürgen Ruland, Immunology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München
  • Volker Springel, Astrophysics, Max-Planck-Institut für Astrophysik, Garching

2020:

  • Thorsten Bach, Chemistry, Technical University of Munich
  • Baptiste Jean Germain Gault, Materials Science, Max Planck Institute for Iron Research
  • Johannes Grave, Art History, Friedrich-Schiller University of Jena
  • Thomas Kaufmann, Evangelical Theology, Georg August University of Göttingen
  • Andrea Musacchio, Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Physiology
  • Thomas Neumann, Computer Science, Technical University of Munich
  • Marco Prinz, Neuropathology, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg
  • Markus Reichstein, Biogeochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry
  • Dagmar Schäfer, History of Science, Max Planck Institute for the History of Science
  • Juliane Vogel, Literature, University of Konstanz

2019–2010

2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010

2019:

  • Sami Haddadin, Robotics, Technical University of Munich
  • Rupert Huber, Experimental physics, University of Regensburg
  • Andreas Reckwitz, Sociology, Viadrina European University, Frankfurt (Oder)
  • Hans-Reimer Rodewald, Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg
  • Melina Schuh, cell biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry (Karl-Friedrich-Bonhoeffer-Institute), Göttingen
  • Brenda Schulman, Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (MPIB), Martinsried
  • Ayelet Shachar, Law and Political science, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity, Göttingen
  • Michèle Tertilt, Economics, University of Mannheim
  • Wolfgang Wernsdorfer, experimental Solid-state physics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
  • Matthias Wessling, Chemical reaction engineering, RWTH Aachen University and Leibniz-Institut für Interaktive Materialien (DWI), Aachen

2018:

  • Jens Beckert, Sociology, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies, Cologne
  • Alessandra Buonanno, Gravitational Physics, Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute), Potsdam
  • Nicola Fuchs-Schündeln, Wirtschaftswissenschaften, Goethe University Frankfurt
  • Veit Hornung, Immunologie, Genzentrum, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and Eicke Latz, Immunologie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
  • Heike Paul, Amerikanistik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
  • Erika L. Pearce, Immunologie, Max-Planck-Institut für Immunbiologie und Epigenetik, Freiburg/Breisgau
  • Claus Ropers [de], Experimentelle Festkörperphysik, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
  • Oliver G. Schmidt, Materialwissenschaften, Leibniz-Institut für Festkörper- und Werkstoffforschung Dresden und Fakultät für Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik, Technische Universität Chemnitz
  • Bernhard Schölkopf, Maschinelles Lernen, Max-Planck-Institut für Intelligente Systeme, Tübingen
  • László Székelyhidi, Angewandte Mathematik, Universität Leipzig

2017:

  • Lutz Ackermann, Organic Molecular Chemistry, University of Göttingen
  • Beatrice Gründler, Arabistics, Free University Berlin
  • Ralph Hertwig, Cognition Psychology, Max-Planck-Institute for Education research
  • Karl-Peter Hopfner, Structure Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
  • Frank Jülicher, Theoretical Biophysics, Max-Planck-Institute for Physics of complex systems
  • Lutz Mädler, Mechanical Process engineering, University of Bremen
  • Britta Nestler, Material science, Karlsruhe Institute for Technology
  • Joachim P. Spatz, Biophysics, Max-Planck-Institute for Intelligent Systems and Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg
  • Anne Storch, Africanistics, University of Köln
  • Jörg Vogel, Medical Microbiology, University of Würzburg

2016:

  • Frank Bradke, Neuroregeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn
  • Emmanuelle Charpentier, Infection Biology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin
  • Daniel Cremers, Computer Vision, Chair of Informatics IX: Image Understanding and Knowledge-Based Systems, Technical University of Munich
  • Daniel James Frost, Mineralogy/Experimental Petrology, University of Bayreuth
  • Dag Nikolaus Hasse, Philosophy, Institute of Philosophy, University of Würzburg
  • Benjamin List, Organic Molecular Chemistry, Department of Homogeneous Catalysis, Max Planck Institute for Coal Research, Mülheim an der Ruhr
  • Christoph Möllers, Law, Chair of Public Law and Legal Philosophy, Humboldt University of Berlin
  • Marina Rodnina, Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry (Karl Friedrich Bonhoeffer Institute), Göttingen
  • Bénédicte Savoy, History of Modern Art, Center for Metropolitan Studies, Technische Universität Berlin
  • Peter Scholze, Arithmetic Algebraic Geometry, Mathematical Institute, University of Bonn

2015:

2014:

  • Artemis Alexiadou, Linguistics, University of Stuttgart
  • Armin von Bogdandy, Foreign public law and international law, Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law, Heidelberg
  • Andreas Dreizler, Combustion research, Technische Universität Darmstadt
  • Christof Schulz, Combustion and gas dynamics, Universität Duisburg-Essen
  • Nicole Dubilier, Marine ecology, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, and Universität Bremen
  • Leif Kobbelt, Informatics and computer graphics, RWTH Aachen
  • Laurens Molenkamp, Experimental solid-state physics, Universität Würzburg
  • Brigitte Röder, Biological psychology/neuro-psychology, Universität Hamburg
  • Irmgard Sinning, Structural biology, Universität Heidelberg
  • Rainer Waser, Nanoelectronics/Materials science, RWTH Aachen and Peter Grünberg Institute, Research Center Jülich
  • Lars Zender, Hepatology/oncology, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen

2013:

  • Thomas Bauer, Islamic studies, Universität Münster
  • Ivan Đikić, Biochemistry/cell biology, Universität Frankfurt am Main
  • Frank Glorius, Molecular chemistry, Universität Münster
  • Onur Güntürkün, Biological psychology, Universität Bochum
  • Peter Hegemann, Biophysics, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
  • Marion Merklein, Metal forming technology/manufacturing engineering, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
  • Roderich Moessner, Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden, together with Achim Rosch, Theoretical solid-state physics, Universität zu Köln
  • Erika von Mutius, Paediatrics, Allergology, Epidemiology, Klinikum der Universität München
  • Vasilis Ntziachristos, Bio-imaging with optical techniques, Technische Universität München
  • Lutz Raphael, Modern and recent history, Universität Trier

2012:

  • Michael Brecht – Neurophysiology/cellular neuroscience (Bernstein Zentrum für Computational Neuroscience Berlin und Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)
  • Rainer Forst – political philosophy/theory (Goethe University Frankfurt)
  • Gunther Hartmann – Clinical pharmacology/natural immunity (Universitätsklinikum Bonn)
    Christian Kurts – Immunology/Nephrology (Universitätsklinikum Bonn)
  • Matthias Mann – Biochemistry (Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried)
  • Friederike Pannewick – Islamic studies/literature, theater, history of ideas (Philipps-Universität Marburg)
  • Nikolaus Rajewsky – System biology (Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin)
  • Ulf Riebesell – Oceanography (Leibniz-Institut für Meereswissenschaften (IFM-Geomar) an der University of Kiel)
  • Peter Sanders – Theoretical computer science and algorithms (Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, KIT)
  • Barbara Wohlmuth – Numerical analysis (Technische Universität München)
  • Jörg Wrachtrup – Experimental physics (Universität Stuttgart)

2011:

  • Michael Brecht, Neuroscience (Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin)
  • Ulla Bonas, Microbiology / Molecular phytopathology (Universität Halle-Wittenberg)
  • Christian Büchel [de], Cognitive neuroscience (Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf)
  • Anja Feldmann, Computer science / Computer networks / Internet (Technische Universität Berlin, T-Labs)
  • Kai-Uwe Hinrichs, Organic geochemistry (Universität Bremen)
  • Anthony A. Hyman, Cell biology / Microtubuli and cleavage (Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden)
  • Bernhard Keimer, Experimental solid-state physics (Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart)
  • Franz Pfeiffer, X-ray physics (Technische Universität München)
  • Joachim Friedrich Quack, Egyptology (Universität Heidelberg)
  • Gabriele Sadowski, Thermodynamics (Technische Universität Dortmund)
  • Christine Silberhorn, Quantum optics (Universität Paderborn)

2010:

  • Jan Born, Neuroendocrinology / Sleep research (University of Lübeck)
  • Peter Fratzl, Biomaterials (Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam)
  • Roman Inderst, Macroeconomics (University Frankfurt/Main)
  • Christoph Klein, Pediatrics / Oncology (Hannover Medical School)
  • Ulman Lindenberger, Lifespan psychology (Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin)
  • Frank Neese, Theoretical chemistry (University of Bonn)
  • Jürgen Osterhammel, Recent and modern history (University of Konstanz)
  • Petra Schwille, Biophysics (Dresden University of Technology)
  • Stefan Treue, Cognitive Neurosciences (German Primate Center, Göttingen)
  • Joachim Weickert, Digital image processing (Saarland University)

2009–2000

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

2009:

  • Antje Boetius, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen
  • Holger Braunschweig, Inorganic chemistry, University of Würzburg
  • Wolfram Burgard, Computer science, University of Freiburg
  • Heinrich Detering, University of Göttingen
  • Jürgen Eckert, IFW Dresden, and Dresden University of Technology
  • Armin Falk, Economist, University of Bonn
  • Frank Kirchhoff, University of Ulm
  • Jürgen Rödel, Materials scientist, Technische Universität Darmstadt
  • Karl Lenhard Rudolph, University of Ulm
  • Burkhard Wilking, University of Münster
  • Martin R. Zirnbauer, University of Cologne

2008:

  • Susanne Albers – theoretical computer science, University of Freiburg
  • Martin Beneke – theoretical particle physics, RWTH Aachen
  • Holger Boche – telecommunications engineering and information theory, Technische Universität Berlin
  • Martin Carrier philosophy, Bielefeld University
  • Elena Conti – structural biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried
  • Elisa Izaurralde – cell biology, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen
  • Holger Fleischer – economic law, University of Bonn
  • Stefan W. Hell – biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen
  • Klaus Kern – physical solid state chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart
  • Wolfgang Lück – algebraic topology, University of Münster;
  • Jochen Mannhart – experimental solid state physics, University of Augsburg

2007:

  • Jens Claus Brüning [de] – molecular diabetes research, endocrinology (University of Cologne)
  • Patrick Bruno – theoretical solid-state physics (MPI of Microstructure Physics, Halle/Saale)
  • Magdalena Götz – neurology (GSF – Forschungszentrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich)
  • Peter Gumbsch – material science (Universität Karlsruhe (TH) and Fraunhofer-Institut für Werkstoffmechanik, Freiburg i. Br. and Halle/Saale)
  • Gerald Haug – paleoclimatology (GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam and University of Potsdam)
  • Bernhard Jussen – mediaeval history (Bielefeld University)
  • Guinevere Kauffmann – astrophysics (MPI for Astrophysics, Garching)
  • Falko Langenhorst – mineralogy and petrology (Friedrich Schiller University of Jena)
  • Oliver Primavesi – classical philology (Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich)
  • Detlef Weigel – plant biology (MPI for Developmental Biology, Tübingen)

2006:

2005:

  • Peter Becker – cell biology/biochemistry (Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich)
  • Immanuel Bloch – quantum optics (Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz)
  • Stefanie Dimmeler – molecular cardiology (Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt am Main)
  • Jürgen Gauß – theoretical chemistry (Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz)
  • Günther Hasinger – astrophysics (Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, Garching)
  • Christian Jung – plant breeding (University of Kiel)
  • Axel Ockenfels – experimental economics (University of Cologne)
  • Wolfgang Peukert – mechanical process engineering (Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg)
  • Barbara Stollberg-Rilinger – History of early modern Europe (University of Münster)
  • Andreas Tünnermann – microsystems technology (Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering, Jena)

2004:

2003:

2002:

2001:

2000:

1999–1990

1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 | 1990

1999:

  • Ekkard Brinksmeier – manufacturing engineering (University of Bremen)
  • Bernd Bukau – cellular biology (Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg)
  • Joachim Cuntz – mathematics (University of Münster)
  • Alois Fürstner – organometalic chemistry (Max Planck Institute für Kohlenforschung (Coal Research) (rechtsfähige Stiftung), Mülheim/Ruhr)
  • Friedrich Wilhelm Graf – Evangelical theology (University of Augsburg)
  • Ulrich Herbert – modern and contemporary history (Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg)
  • Martin Johannes Lohse – pharmacology (University of Würzburg)
  • Volker Mosbrugger – paleontology (University of Tübingen)
  • Hans-Christian Pape – neurophysiology (Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg)
  • Joachim Ullrich – experimental physics (Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg)

1998:

1997:

1996:

1995:

1994:

1993:

1992:

1991:

1990:

1989–1986

1989 | 1988 | 1987 | 1986

1989:

1988:

1987:

1986:

See also

  • List of general science and technology awards
  • List of physics awards

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