The Sparkasse Karlsruhe has long been closely connected to its customers and, in line with its public mandate, also to the population, businesses, and institutions within its business area. For more than 200 years, this commitment has been reflected in a strong focus on the common good. For this reason, and in agreement with the then University of Fridericiana Karlsruhe, Sparkasse Karlsruhe established a foundation on October 29, 1979, to promote outstanding scientific work that serves the public good, particularly in addressing environmental protection issues. In 2024, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Sparkasse Karlsruhe Environmental Foundation will award the Sparkasse Environmental Prize for the 45th time.

The prize is awarded for outstanding work related to environmental topics in the following categories:

• Doctoral dissertations
• Master’s theses

The Sparkasse Environmental Prize is endowed with a total of €15,000.

The call for applications is conducted through the KIT Climate and Environment Center. Applications should be submitted digitally to the office of the KIT Climate and Environment Center via the respective supervisors, along with the following documents:

Digital Submission:

• Clear summary of the work (1 page)
• Letter of recommendation
• Endorsement from the faculty
• Assessment reports (first and, if applicable, second assessments)
• Curriculum vitae including academic background
• Publication list
• The work itself

Applicants should have completed their work after July 1, 2023.

Important: Please note that we ask the submitting supervisors to review two of the submitted works.

The application deadline is July 19, 2024.

In December 2024, after a preliminary selection by a selection committee, the Environmental Advisory Board of the Sparkasse Karlsruhe Environmental Foundation will decide on the awarding of the prizes. The winners will be notified at the beginning of the following year. 

The award ceremony will take place in a formal setting in the summer of 2025.