The Wöhler-BASF Young Scientist Award honours young scientists with a doctorate for outstanding, independent scientific work in the field of inorganic molecular chemistry. This work should have been completed within the first six years since the start of independent research.
The prize is endowed with 5000 euros and is supported by BASF. It is announced every two years and is usually awarded during the lecture conference for inorganic chemistryThe Wöhler Association for Inorganic Chemistry in the Society of German Chemists is organising the Wöhler-BASF Young Investigator Award. The prize is supported by BASF and will be awarded on the occasion of the GDCh Lecture Conference for Inorganic Chemistry 2026, which will take place from 7 to 9 September in Jena.
The prize is awarded to young scientists for outstanding, independent scientific work in the field of inorganic molecular chemistry. This work should have been completed within the first six years since the start of independent research. We expressly ask qualified female scientists to submit their applications.
All university lecturers and industry representatives with a related area of responsibility are eligible to nominate candidates. Self-applications are expressly encouraged. A jury appointed by the board of the Wöhler Association, which includes representatives from academia and industry, will decide on the selection. The prize includes an award certificate and prize money of € 5,000.00.
The informal application must be accompanied by a detailed justification of the prize worthiness and an expert opinion from at least one university lecturer. Furthermore, a detailed curriculum vitae and a list of independent scientific publications must be enclosed.
Applications and proposals will only be accepted in electronic form until 30 March 2026 by the GDCh office, n.buerger@gdch.de.
2024
Dr Moritz Malischewski, Berlin
in recognition of his outstanding research on metal complexes with highly fluorinated cyclopentadienyl ligands and the preparation of unusual and highly reactive coordination compounds under superacidic or strongly oxidising conditions.
2022
Dr Terrance J. Hadlington, Munich
in recognition of his outstanding research on novel catalysts for bond activation of small molecules at the interface between low-valent main group fragments and transition metals using novel single-centre ambiphilic ligands.
2020
Dr Lutz Greb, Heidelberg
In recognition of his outstanding research on substituent influences on the reactive and structural nature of silicon(lV)-aluminium(lll)- and germanium(lV)-compounds and their detailed investigation using experimental and quantum chemical methods.
Dr Wolfgang Zeier, Giessen
In recognition of his outstanding research on the influence of lattice dynamics on ionic conductivity in solids and the associated contribution to the understanding and optimisation of transport processes in solid electrolytes.
2018
Dr Fabian Dielmann, Münster
in recognition of his outstanding research on the topic of "Extremely electron-rich phosphanes for the activation of strong bonds and small molecules".
2016
Dr Ulf-Peter Apfel, Bochum
In recognition of his outstanding work in the field of bioinorganic chemistry, in particular on model systems for CO dehydrogenase and hydrogen-producing enzymes.
2014
Dr Marc Walter, Braunschweig
In recognition of his outstanding work on iron and manganese half-sandwich compounds and their use in the activation of small molecules.
Wöhler Prize for Young Scientists
2012
PD Dr Florian Kraus, Munich
In recognition of his outstanding experimental work on the synthesis of the amine complexes of beryllium and uranium fluorides and on the function of beryllium dication as a fluoride ion acceptor.
2010
Dr Jan J. Weigand, Münster,
in recognition of his work on the chemistry of novel, cationic phosphorus compounds, which exhibit interesting binding ratios and great synthetic potential for activating small molecules
2008
Dr David Scheschkewitz, London,
in recognition of his work on the chemistry of phenylene-bridged disilenes, showing the way from laboratory curiosity to optically interesting material
2006
PD Dr Thomas Braun, Bielefeld,
in recognition of his work on hydroperoxo, silylperoxo and methylperoxo complexes of rhodium and their targeted decomposition
2004
Dr Stefanie Dehnen, Karlsruhe,
in recognition of her work on the synthesis and DFT calculation of the first ternary metal selenide cluster anions of the p- and d-block metals as a new generation of molecular materials for optoelectronic and magentic applications
Dr Kai Carsten Hultzsch, Erlangen,
In recognition of his work on the development of the first chiral lanthanide complexes with biphenolate and binaphtholate ligands and their use as highly efficient catalysts for asymmetric hydroamination
The locations refer to the facility at the time of the award ceremony.