Student Water Award of the Society of Water Chemistry

- funded by the Walter Kölle Foundation -

Since 2026, the Society of Water Chemistry of the German Chemical Society (GDCh) has awarded up to three Student Water Awards to recognize outstanding master's theses in the water chemistry fields of environmental and water sciences, environmental and water analysis, water engineering, and related disciplines. These theses are distinguished by their high potential for innovation, compelling objectives, and clear structure. Each award includes a certificate, €500 in prize money sponsored by the Walter Kölle Foundation, and a one-year complimentary membership in the Society of Water Chemistry. The awards ceremony takes place during the annual conference , WASSER. The award committee comprises members of the Young Water Forum (JWF); the final decision regarding the award recipients is made by the Board of the Society of Water Chemistry .

Criteria for evaluating submitted work: (1) Abstract & Introduction, (2) Research hypotheses, (3) Method selection, methodological diversity & implementation, (4) Clarity of discussion & conclusion, (5) Potential impact on water research, (6) Originality & discussion of literature, (7) Language & presentation, (8) Time spent & research depth, (9) Grading, (10) Justification of recommendation

Submission deadline: October 31, 2026

Objective
The Society of Water Chemistry Division of the German Chemical Society (GDCh) has been awarding prizes since 2026 for up to three master's theses in the water chemistry fields of environmental and water sciences, environmental and water analysis, water engineering, and related disciplines. The prizes recognize scientifically outstanding theses that demonstrate high innovative potential, a compelling objective, and a clear structure.

The price
Each award includes a certificate, a one-year free membership in the Division , and prize money of €500 provided by the Walter Kölle Foundation. The prize is awarded at the annual conference WATER 2027. awardees are invited to present their award-winning work in the form of a short scientific presentation at the Conference . The conference fees are covered by the Division. The prize committee consists of members of the Young Water Forum (JWF); the final decision regarding the award is made by the impartial members of the specialist group's board.

nomination
Nominations are generally made by the academic supervisors, who may submit a maximum of one nomination per year. Self-nominations are not permitted. The master's thesis must have been completed within the 12 months prior to the submission deadline (date of the master's 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)
• Expert opinion on the master's thesis
• Master's degree
• If applicable: List of publications and conference contributions (posters/ lecture) resulting from the 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, addressed to Maike Fries.

On May 11, 2026, the Student Water Award 2026 was presented for the first time to Emily Lichtenwald, Anita Lopes Souto and Jennifer Schmidt at the Water 2026 Conference .

Emily Lichtenwald: "...in recognition of her outstanding master's thesis entitled "Biotransformation of selected PFAS – comparison between bacteria and fungi". The work was carried out in the working group of Dr. Daniel Zahn at the University of Leipzig and at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research."

Anita Lopes Souto: "... in recognition of her outstanding master's thesis entitled "Identification of Ozone-induced Transformation Pathways of Cyanobacterial Toxins". The work was carried out in the working group of PD Dr. Elisabeth Janssen at the University of Zurich and Eawag."

Jennifer Schmidt: "... in recognition of her outstanding master's thesis entitled "In vitro toxicity of road runoff from different road types using reporter-gene assays". The work was completed in the working group of Dr. Sabrina Schiwy at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main."