Teaching Award of the Association of Friends and Sponsors of TU Dresden

The Gesellschaft von Freunden und Förderern der Technischen Universität Dresden e. V. (GFF e. V.) is once again offering a teaching award for teaching and learning formats at TU Dresden that were offered by student groups and initiatives in the 2025/2026 academic year. The total amount of prize money to be awarded is 3,000 euros.

Eligible for the prize are

• student-developed courses or joint student projects that are sustainably integrated into the TUD's course offerings
• extraordinary student commitment in the implementation of teaching formats
• particularly innovative/creative/participative teaching formats designed by students
• extraordinary student commitment in the implementation of student projects

All status groups at TU Dresden are eligible to nominate candidates. The prize can be awarded to individuals or groups of people. The prize money is to be used earmarked for the further development, consolidation or expansion of student teaching formats.

Proposals can be submitted using the web form by 31.08.2026.

The exceptionally dedicated commitment to teaching at TU Dresden in the areas of undergraduate and continuing education will once again be recognized with the Teaching Award from the Association of Friends and Sponsors of the TUD . For the 2025–2026 academic year, the award will specifically recognize outstanding teaching and learning concepts in the field of project-based studies. The goal is to support instructors who, through innovative approaches and excellent teaching methods, actively engage students in the learning process and impart practice-oriented skills.

We are looking for formats that
- Place project-based learning at the center of their courses.
- Implement practical and interdisciplinary approaches in teaching.
- Foster students’ independence and ability to work in teams.
- Use creative and innovative methods to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
- Make a significant contribution to preparing students for the job market.

Award and Recognition
The Teaching Award is endowed with 3,000 euros. The prize money is earmarked for the further development of teaching. The Teaching Award is presented during a ceremony.

Award Criteria
- Innovation of the teaching concept: How novel and creative is the approach?
- Student-centeredness: To what extent does it enable active involvement and participation?
- Practical relevance: To what extent does the concept promote the transfer between theory and practice?
- Sustainability and multiplier effects: Can the concept be applied in the long term or transferred to other areas?
- Outcomes and evaluation: What specific learning outcomes or results were achieved?

Eligible to submit nominations are students, the Deans of Studies, the department representatives, the deans, the Extended University Executive Board, the student councils, and the Student Council of TU Dresden. The awards may be given to individuals or groups. The prize money is earmarked for the further development of teaching.

Nominations can be submitted via the online form by August 31, 2026.

The Gesellschaft von Freunden und Förderern der Technischen Universität Dresden e. V. (GFF e. V.) is once again awarding a teaching prize for teaching and learning formats at TUD Dresden University of Technology that are explicitly aimed at student teachers or participants in the part-time qualification of teachers or that take special account of the requirements of the teacher training program in their orientation.

The design of teaching and learning formats for student teachers and lateral entrants is proving to be a particular challenge against the backdrop of the transformation of the educational landscape. It is constantly important to impart skills that enable effective practical transfer for schools. For this reason, creative and sustainable concepts as well as special commitment are to be recognized with a teaching award. The total amount of prize money to be awarded is 3,000 euros.

Important to know:

• All status groups at TU Dresden are eligible to nominate candidates for the teaching awards.
• The respective prize can be awarded to individuals or groups of people.
• The prize money is to be used earmarked for the further development, consolidation or expansion of student teaching formats.

Proposals can be submitted using the web form by 31.08.2026.

Once again this year, TUD is presenting the Best Practice Diversity-Sensitive Teaching Award. The goal of the teaching award is to recognize instructors and/or teaching concepts that address diversity or one or more dimensions of diversity (e.g., gender, health, background, family responsibilities, etc.) in line with TUD’s 2030 Diversity Strategy.
A total of 3,000 euros in prize money is available, sponsored by the Society of Friends and Supporters of TU Dresden e.V. (GFF). The prize money is earmarked for the further development of teaching. The teaching award will be presented during a ceremony.

We are seeking best-practice examples from the 2025 summer semester onward that meet several of the following criteria:

• Diversity-sensitive, respectful, and transparent communication: By using language that acknowledges the diversity of the TUD community and by avoiding stereotypical terms, the diversity of the students is handled sensitively. In addition, communication in the course creates transparency regarding expectations for students, including with regard to exam performance.
• Diversity-sensitive interaction: The instructor consciously counteracts stereotypes and discrimination, whether expressed intentionally or unintentionally. All students are equally encouraged to participate. The instructor is open to addressing individual concerns.
• Use of Diverse (Online) Teaching Methods: The instructor employs target-group-specific and/or diverse teaching methods in their course. For example, the instructor records their own course and uploads it to the TUD website to enable students with family responsibilities to engage with the course content asynchronously. This promotes the participation of all students and ensures that everyone can benefit from the course.
• Accessible teaching: Teaching addresses the needs of students with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses and takes these into account in the planning, design, and organization, as well as in the delivery of courses.
• Content Design: Courses address the topic of diversity—or individual or multiple dimensions of diversity—and incorporate these themes into the content at appropriate points (e.g., explicit inclusion of research findings by women, …). This supports students in developing diversity competencies.

All students, employees, and university initiatives and groups at TUD are eligible to submit proposals. Students, in particular, are encouraged to participate by submitting proposals.

Proposals can be submitted via the online form by August 31, 2026.
Please refer to the following criteria in the justification field :
1. Diversity-sensitive communication
2. Diversity-sensitive interaction
3. Use of diverse teaching methods
4. Accessibility
5. Content design

Contact
Grit Kühlborn
SG 9.3 Diversity Management

Phone: 463-39723