ABC/J Research Award 2026

The object of the competition is research activity on a geoscientific or geographical topic. This can be demonstrated either by a dissertation or by one or more publications in SCI- or SCIE-listed peer-reviewed journals. If several publications are submitted as a competition entry, the connection in terms of content must be explained in a jacket document. Furthermore, in the case of co-authored publications, the applicant's own share in the research performance must be explained. Contributions that have already been submitted to a previous call for proposals are excluded from participation.

Scientists whose contribution to the competition is based at one of the institutes in the Geoverbund ABC/J or was created there are eligible to apply. The decisive factor is that the contribution is appropriately assigned. You can check whether your institution is a member of our network via the following location links: RWTH Aachen, University of Bonn, University of Cologne, Research Centre Jülich. Since 2011, the Geoverbund ABC/J has awarded this prize annually for outstanding, innovative and interdisciplinary research work in the field of geosciences. As a rule, the date of the doctorate should not be more than four years ago; proven periods of parental leave, for example, can be taken into account here. The relevant date is 31 January 2026. Proof of final submission of the dissertation is sufficient for the application.

All submitted works will first undergo a pre-selection by a jury. For the works selected in this stage, independent reviews will be obtained, assessing the submissions with regard to their research excellence, degree of innovation, and interdisciplinarity. After completion of the review process, the jury will select the prize winners, taking the reviewers’ evaluations into account. The decision will then be formally confirmed by the Directorate of Geoverbund ABC/J. The award ceremony will take place during the Geoverbund ABC/J summer festival, where the prize winners are required to personally present their work.

Important information for competition entries that are to be assigned to basic research:

The Geoverbund ABC/J Research Award for Early Career Researchers is open to all innovative and interdisciplinary research in the geosciences, including geography. Projects of pure basic research, where a direct relevance to society is not obvious and/or difficult or impossible to describe, are also explicitly invited to apply and will be recognised according to their research performance. In particular, such applications will not be disadvantaged compared to applications dealing with socially relevant topics. Therefore, please consider the information on societal relevance in the application form as optional!

Please submit all required documents until 31 January 2026 via email to:
t.finsterbusch@fz-juelich.de

• Application Form
• Competition Entry (choose one)
• Dissertation (usually not older than 4 years), OR
• One or more publications (accepted for publication within usually max. 4 years after the doctorate; deadline: 31 January 2026) published or accepted for publication in SCI- or SCIE-listed peer-reviewed journals. If submitting multiple publications, include a cover document discussing the content-related connection.
• Letter of Recommendation
• Doctoral degree certificate or proof of final submission of doctoral thesis
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of Experiences and Activities (if applicable):
• Fellowships / third-party funding
• Career-related prizes and awards
• Publications
• Oral presentations
• Poster presentations

If you have any questions, please contact:

Coordination Office Geoverbund ABC/J

Tina Finsterbusch
c/o Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
IBG-3 Agrosphere
Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße
52425 Jülich
E-mail: t.finsterbusch@fz-juelich.de

Subject to change without notice.