Research Prizes for six outstanding researchers

The University of Cologne awards excellent researchers from the natural and life sciences, the humanities, economics and social sciences

Recipients of the Research Prizes of the University of Cologne. V.l.n.r: Professor Dr Aleksandra Trifunovic, Junior Professor Dr Ann-Marie Waldvogel, PD Dr Ansgar Hudde, Rektor Joybrato Mukherjee, Professor Dr Thomas Widlok, Junior Professor Dr Sofie Møller, Professor Dr Christopher Roth

Six researchers from the University of Cologne will receive the Research Prizes 2025 for their outstanding academic achievements. There are three different categories: the Max Delbrück Prize (natural and life sciences), the Leo Spitzer Prize (arts, humanities and human sciences) and the Hans Kelsen Prize (law and economics). In all three categories, a prize will also be awarded to excellent early-career researchers. “The University of Cologne is convinced that scientific progress is based on the scientific excellence of individual researchers, which should therefore be particularly promoted and recognized. I congratulate the award-winning researchers and would like to thank them for their outstanding work”, says Professor Dr Joybrato Mukherjee, Rector of the University of Cologne. The Research Prizes are part of the university’s Excellent Research Support Program.

The winners are:

Max Delbrück Prize

Professor Dr Aleksandra Trifunovic (Institute for Mitochondrial Diseases and Ageing, CECAD Cluster of Excellence for Aging Research & Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne)

Max Delbrück Prize for early-career researchers

Junior Professor Dr Ann-Marie Waldvogel (Institute of Zoology)

Hans Kelsen Prize

Professor Dr Christopher Roth (Professor for Economics & Management, Cluster of Excellence ECONtribute)

Hans Kelsen Prize for early-career researchers

PD Dr Ansgar Hudde (Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology)

Leo Spitzer Prize

Professor Dr Thomas Widlok (Institute for African Studies and Egyptology)

Leo Spitzer Prize for early-career researchers

Junior Professor Dr Sofie Møller (Philosophy Department).

The Research Prizes are endowed with 60,000 euros or 30,000 euros (early-career researchers) per year for a period of two years.

The Prizes will be presented to the researchers at an internal ceremony.