German Bundestag award 2027

In 2027, the German Bundestag will once again award a science prize. The prize carries a cash award of 10,000 euros. It recognizes outstanding recent academic works from all disciplines that stimulate engagement with questions regarding parliamentarism and contribute to a deeper understanding of parliamentary practice. Eligible works include studies on the election and—in particular—the working methods of representative bodies, as well as research into how parliamentarism is embedded within federal and supranational systems. Also eligible are works addressing the relationship between parliament and government; the political oversight of parliamentary systems by courts, the media, and civil society; the role and functions of political parties; and the impact of digitalization on the public sphere—provided they focus on issues related to parliamentarism. An interdisciplinary jury of experts will select the prize recipient.

Conditions of participation:

Academic works may be nominated either by the author or by third parties. Only works published between April 1, 2024, and July 10, 2026, will be considered.

For academic qualification works (doctoral theses, habilitation theses, etc.), the relevant academic procedures must have been completed.

Submissions must be monographs or comparable works (such as cumulative qualification works). Edited volumes cannot be considered. Employees of the Bundestag administration and relatives of jury members are excluded from participation.

The work must be submitted both as a printed copy and in electronic format (PDF). Towards the end of the selection process, the prize winner may be asked to submit two additional copies of the printed version.

The application must include a summary of the work (maximum of two pages), a CV, and a signed declaration of consent regarding the processing of personal data in accordance with the GDPR.

Expert assessments of academic qualification theses may also be submitted. Only applications with complete documentation will be considered.

The submitted documents will be used exclusively for the award process and will be returned or destroyed once the process has concluded.

Submission of an application constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions of participation.

Legal recourse is excluded. With the exception of the printed copy of the thesis, all documents may be submitted digitally via email. The complete application documents must be sent to the following addresses by July 10, 2026.