© Michael Kretzschmar

Kulturstiftung Dresden der Commerzbank awards the Dissertation Prize and the Dr. Walter Seipp Prize from the Commerzbank Foundation to early-career scientists from all TU Dresden faculties who have written especially outstanding dissertations.

These prizes funded by Commerzbank AG have been awarded since 1996. Dr. Walter Seipp was Commerzbank’s Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors from 1981 until 1991 and Chairman of the Commerzbank Supervisory Board until 1999. In 1990, he established the foundation from which the Dr. Walter Seipp Prize is endowed. Commerzbank supports early-career researchers and, with these prizes, aims to create incentives to motivate innovative scientific work that prepares society for any challenges the future may bring.

The Awards
The Commerzbank Foundation’s Dr. Walter Seipp Prize recognizes the work of an early-career researcher who has written an exceptional dissertation and honors them with a total of 4,000 euros. Kulturstiftung Dresden der Commerzbank additionally awards two outstanding dissertations with the Dissertation Prize and a total of 1,000 euros each.

Selecting the Winners
The submitted dissertations must be graded summa cum laude – the highest dissertation grade possible at German universities. The work should ideally have innovative potential and should be of social relevance. The Deans of Faculties at TU Dresden are eligible to submit nominations.

The Jury
The jury for the Commerzbank prizes comprises representatives of Commerzbank AG, the Rector, and representatives of the areas from which entries have been received.

Award Ceremony
The winners will be presented their prizes at an award ceremony hosted by the Rector and Commerzbank Dresden’s Executive Board.

Winners of the 2020 Commerzbank Prizes

• Dr. Jens Bornschein, Faculty of Computer Science, Dissertation: Multimodales kollaboratives Zeichensystem für blinde Benutzer (Multimodal collaborative sign processes for blind users)
• Dr. Yuan Liu, Faculty of Physics, Dissertation: Intermolecular charge transfer systems for efficient OLEDs: charge and exciton dynamics

2020 Dr. Walter Seipp Prize Winner

• Dr. Maja Kevdzija, Faculty of Architecture, Dissertation: Mobility-Supporting Rehabilitation Clinics: Architectural design criteria for promoting stroke patients’ independent mobility and accommodating their changing spatial needs during the transition towards recovery

Applications
The call for applications can be found here:
Current call for applications