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Awards and Honors

The German Ornithological Society offers several awards and funding opportunities. These are used to support ornithological projects from planning through implementation, to recognize outstanding scientific work, and to honor long-standing commitment to the field. In addition to research grants as a form of direct funding, the DOG’s awards provide important avenues for the recognition, promotion, and visibility of ornithology. Even discontinued awards, such as the former AULA Young Researchers’ Award, attest to the DOG’s long tradition of promoting young scientists and bird conservation.

News

At the 14th Meeting of European Bird Curators in Turin on 23 September 2026, DOG Vice President Sylke Frahnert and Till Töpfer, member of the Specialist Group Ornithological Collections and the prize committee, presented the Maria Koepcke Prize to Guy M. Kirwan.

Learning new methods and making international contacts: the DOG supports scientific research visits by its members with up to €5,000. The new funding programme is aimed at researchers in early to mid-career stages.

For his outstanding contributions to bird migration and movement research, his pioneering services to the further development of bird ringing, and his exceptional commitment to conservation, support for early-career researchers and international ornithology.

For his pioneering research on the ecology of bird migration, his outstanding contributions to understanding how bird populations adapt to environmental change, and his innovative work on polar ecology and the ecological consequences of global change.

For her outstanding scientific work on the Aquatic Warbler and her special services in linking ornithological research, applied bird conservation and peatland conservation.

For her pioneering long-term studies of Common Terns, her innovative contributions to understanding individual life histories and ecological change, and her special commitment to science communication, support for early-career researchers and conservation.

The DOG has updated its call for travel grants for the International Ornithological Congress (IOC) 2026. Five early-career researchers will each receive €2,000. The application deadline is 30 September 2026.

The Deutsche Ornithologische Gesellschaft awarded travel grants to several early-career scientists for the 5th EOU Fledglings Meeting 2026 in Gdańsk, where they presented their latest research results in talks and posters.

On 20 February 2026, our 2nd Vice President Sylke Frahnert presented the DOG Special Prize to twelve young researchers in biology at the Berlin state competition of Jugend forscht – together with a certificate and an ornithological book.

Study projects as part of her work as Co-Director of the Hiddensee Bird Observatory at the Zoological Institute of the University of Greifswald.

by Miriam Kott

The DOG Specialist Group "Ornithological Collections" awards this year's Maria Koepcke Prize to Dr. Renate van den Elzen from Vienna for her outstanding contributions to the development, visibility and study of bird collections.

Discontinued Grants and Awards

AULA Young Researchers Award (discontinued) 1987–2004

The AULA Young Researchers Award was established in 1987 by AULA-Verlag in collaboration with the DOG and was primarily intended to support young ornithologists. The award recognized outstanding, unpublished works with a strong focus on bird conservation. The award was discontinued in 2004.

FAQ: Awards and Recognition

Who is eligible to be nominated?

The prizes vary in nature: Some are intended for DOG members, while others are open to all ornithologists worldwide—regardless of age or nationality.

Can I apply on my own?

Yes, for many awards, self-nominations are expressly permitted. Alternatively, nominations from third parties may also be submitted—the details can be found in the respective calls for entries.

How much is the prize money?

The awards range from €400 (the Maria Koepcke Prize) to €20,000 (the Erwin Stresemann Grant). However, in addition to the financial support, recognition by the professional community is what matters most.

How often are the awards presented?

Most awards are presented every two to five years, while others are presented irregularly. The awarding of prizes also depends on the endowments of the respective foundations.

Where can I find current job postings?

All funded focus areas, specific details, and application deadlines are listed on the respective subpages for each award.

Links

  1. Erwin Stresemann Award
  2. Ornithology Prize
  3. Werner Sunkel Award
  4. Horst Wiehe Foundation Award
  5. Hans Löhrl Prize
  6. Maria Koepcke Prize