Student Water Award of the Society of Water Chemistry

- supported by the Walter Kölle Foundation -

For the first time in 2026, the Society of Water Chemistry of the German Chemical Society (GDCh) will present up to three Student Water Awards to recognize outstanding master's theses in the water chemistry subjects of environmental and water sciences, environmental and water analytics, water engineering, and related disciplines that demonstrate high innovative potential, compelling objectives, and a clear structure. Each award comes with a certificate and a cash award of 500 euros, sponsored by the Walter Kölle Foundation. The awards ceremony will take place during the annual WATER conference of the Society of Water Chemistry. The award is decided by a committee appointed by the Division Board and composed of members of the Young Water Forum (JWF).

Submission deadline: October 31, 2025

Objective
For the first time in 2026, the Society of Water Chemistry Division of the German Chemical Society (GDCh) will award prizes for up to three master's theses in the water chemistry disciplines of environmental and water sciences, environmental and water analytics, water engineering, and related disciplines. The awards recognize scientifically outstanding theses characterized by high innovative potential, compelling objectives, and clear structure.

The price
Each award comes with a certificate, a one-year free membership in the Division , and a cash award of €500 provided by the Walter Kölle Foundation. The prize will be presented at the WASSER 2026 annual conference, which will take place in Kiel from May 11-13, 2026. The awardees will be invited to present their award-winning work in the form of a short scientific presentation at the Conference . The Division covers the conference fees. The award committee is composed of members of the Young Water Forum (JWF).

nomination
Nominations are generally made by the academic supervisors, who may submit a maximum of one proposal per year. Self-nominations are not permitted. The master's thesis must have been completed within the last 12 months before the submission deadline (date of the master's degree certificate). All nominations must include the following documents:

 

• Nomination letter from the academic supervisors
• Master's thesis and separate summary (max. 2 pages, DIN A4, Arial 11 pt., single line spacing)
• Report on the master's thesis
• Master's certificate
• if applicable: list of your own publications and conference contributions (poster/ lecture) resulting from your master's thesis
• CV including contact details (email address)

submission
Please send your proposal by email and summarized in a PDF file to the GDCh Office for the attention of Maike Fries.