Innovation Award of the Division of Patent Law

The Innovation Award of the Division of Patent Law recognizes innovations from universities and research institutes in the fields of chemistry or pharmacy that are patentable and economically relevant. The prize includes a medal, prize money of €3,000, and innovation consulting.

The prize is usually awarded every two years and presented at a pre-determined event.

call for proposals 2027

The Division of Patent Law is announcing the FG patent law Innovation Award for 2027. The prize recognizes innovations originating from universities and research institutes that are patentable and economically relevant. Nominations must clearly identify a patent or patent application and the inventors, and should specify the economic significance of the innovation.

When selecting the prize-winning invention, the jury will consider the following criteria:

 

• The invention was made with the significant participation of inventors affiliated with a German university or research institute and has been patented or is pending patenting.
• The invention falls within the field of chemistry or pharmacy (in case of doubt, the patent classification is taken into account).
• The invention leads to an innovation that results in significant technological progress. This can be illustrated, for example, through products, the commercialization of the invention within the framework of a company start-up/spin-off, or the granting of a license.

Suggestions from other people are welcome at any time; self-applications are expressly encouraged.

The selection is made by a jury consisting of at least one university professor and the board members of the Division of Patent Law . The university professors are selected anew for each award by the Board of the Division after receiving the nominations.

The prize includes a certificate, a medal, prize money of €3,000, and innovation consulting. Up to three selected representatives of the innovation team will be invited to the award ceremony. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place at the 2027 Division conference . The location and time will be announced later.

Proposals should include the following documents:

 

• Brief description of the invention,
• Information about the inventors, including contact details,
• Listing of patents/patent applications as well as
• Information that enables the jury to assess the economic significance of the innovation.

Proposals and applications will be accepted exclusively in electronic form until September 30, 2026 by the GDCh Office, Dipl.-Biol. Nicole Bürger, n.buerger@gdch.de.

awardee