Commerzbank prices 2026

The Commerzbank Dresden Cultural Foundation's Future Prize for Economics and the Commerzbank Dresden Cultural Foundation's dissertation prizes recognize outstanding work by young scientists and scientific institutions at Dresden University of Technology (TUD).

The “Future Prize for Economics of the Commerzbank Dresden Cultural Foundation” will be awarded for the first time in 2026, replacing the Dr. Walter Seipp Prize after 30 years. With the “Future Prize for Economics of the Commerzbank Dresden Cultural Foundation,” the Commerzbank Dresden Cultural Foundation honors an outstanding dissertation or thesis (diploma, master's) from the Faculty of Economics. The prize money is €5,000. The criterion for the works to be submitted is a grade of distinction or summa cum laude.

In addition, two dissertation prizes from the Commerzbank Dresden Cultural Foundation will be awarded, each with prize money of €1,000. The theses should have innovative potential, be socially relevant, and have been awarded summa cum laude. The deans of the faculties, the departmental spokespersons, and the directors of the scientific institutions of the TUD are eligible to submit nominations. Two dissertations may be submitted per structural unit.

Criteria
Ideally, the work should have innovative potential and be of social relevance. The work should have been defended and published in the period from November 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025.

Submission
The University Executive Board will accept proposals until Monday, April 13, 2026 by e-mail via the Office of the Rector/Academic Committees, Jenny Petermann, e-mail, tel.: 0351 463 42318. In addition to the completed Commerzbank Prize form, a copy of the thesis including the publication list, copies of the reviews, CV and doctoral certificate must be submitted.

Commerzbank Prizes
The university prizes have been awarded for 25 years. The Commerzbank Foundation and the Commerzbank Dresden Cultural Foundation thus make a contribution to promoting early-career researchers in a targeted manner and to enhancing the quality of teaching and research. The prizes are intended to create incentives that motivate academic work and innovation and thus help to prepare society for the challenges of the future. 

Further information Commerzbank Prizes