RWTH Innovation Award

From Idea to Impact

Excellent research is the foundation of innovation. Yet true value for society only emerges when research results are transformed into market-ready applications. This is precisely where the RWTH Innovation Award comes in.

Purpose of the Award

The RWTH Innovation Award represents RWTH Aachen University’s mission to apply knowledge and make it accessible in order to enable sustainable progress. The prize is therefore awarded to people who develop compelling solutions on the path from idea to innovation that have the potential to become viable innovations. These may include a technology, a process, a product, an invention, or software.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible to apply are individuals or teams who have developed their idea as part of their employment at RWTH Aachen University, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, or Forschungszentrum Jülich.

Selection Criteria

The evaluation takes place in a two-stage process based on the following criteria:

• Innovation level of the technology
• Social relevance
• Technological readiness level
• Market readiness level
• Market potential

The three most convincing ideas will be honored at an award ceremony and receive cash prizes.

The award-winning teams from recent years showcase the diversity of innovation at RWTH. A complete overview of past winners can be found here: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014.

Why Apply?

As an award for an excellent university, the RWTH Innovation Award offers researchers the opportunity to showcase their scientific work and make it known beyond the professional community. The award ceremony regularly attracts media interest and underscores the relevance of the award-winning ideas far beyond the university. Many of the award-winning technologies are now on the market and demonstrate how excellent research can lead to innovation.

Apply now for the RWTH Innovation Award 2025!

Submission Deadline: 01 December 2025