Festive atmosphere in the Schlossaula, beaming award winners and proud donors: Osnabrück University presented this year's Funding Awards on March 5, 2026. A total of 37 awards with a total value of €26,200 went to students, doctoral candidates and graduates who impressed with their outstanding academic work and exceptional social commitment.
Since the early 1990s, the university has awarded more than 30 Funding Awards each year. They are donated by private sponsors, associations and companies; the nominees are put forward by their lecturers. The focus is on the so-called "third mission" - the transfer of scientific knowledge to business and society as the third pillar alongside research and teaching.
The fact that it is not just grades and publications that count is also evident this year: among others, a doctoral student who is raising three children while completing her doctorate was honored. A computer science student who volunteers for a foundation for ornithology and nature conservation was also honored.
"The diversity and creativity of the award-winning achievements impress me anew every year," emphasized Prof. Dr. Jochen Oltmer, Vice President for Studies and Teaching. "They show how closely science and social responsibility are linked at our university."
The award ceremony once again brought donors into conversation with their prizewinners - it is not uncommon for these encounters to lead to further contacts and collaborations. "It is one of our most festive events and a special highlight of the year," said Daniela Räuwer, who is responsible for awarding the Funding Awards.
The prizes were donated by Felix Schoeller Holding GmbH & Co KG, the Osnabrück District Craftsmen's Association and the Herrenteichslaischaft Osnabrück, among others. In terms of content, the winning projects reflected the entire spectrum of the Osnabrück research landscape: they ranged from the use of facial expressions and gestures in the classroom to the diplomatic skills of Justus Möser and the coordination of agricultural robots or the importance of flower strips for wild bees.
"Our thanks go to the donors of the Funding Awards, who encourage and motivate the young talents at our university with their awards and give public visibility to their outstanding academic achievements and successes," said Prof. Dr. Susanne Menzel-Riedl, President of Osnabrück University, and Wolfgang Griesert, Chairman of the Board of the University Society, added: "Their dedicated commitment to our students and graduates testifies to the close and lively connection with our university and therefore also with yours - a connection that is symbolic of our commitment to Osnabrück as an academic location."
This year's donors of the Funding Awards include: Alumni Sozialwissenschaften Osnabrück University e.V.; Bistum Osnabrück; CogSci Network e.V. ; Felix Schoeller Holding GmbH & Co. KG; Förderkreis Osnabrück Peace Forum e.V.; Freunde der Osnabrücker Geographie e.V.; Gesellschaft der Freunde und Förderer des School of Business Administration and Economics der Osnabrück University e.V.; Society of Friends and Sponsors of the School of Business Administration and Economics at Osnabrück University.Hans Mühlenhoff-Stiftung; Herrenteichslaischaft Osnabrück; Internationale Juristenvereinigung Osnabrück; Intevation GmbH; jpc-Schallplatten-Versandhandelsgesellschaft mbH - Produktion cpo; Kreishandwerkerschaft Osnabrück; MLP Finanzberatung SE; Pianohaus Kemp; ROSEN Gruppe; Schulstiftung im Bistum Osnabrück; Sprengel Osnabrück der Evangelisch-lutherischen Landeskirche Hannovers; Osnabrück Student Services Osnabrück; Universitätsgesellschaft Osnabrück e.V.; Universitätsverlag Osnabrück/Brill Deutschland GmbH; Verkehrsverein Stadt und Land Osnabrück e. V.; Prof. Dr. Hartmuth Kinzler; Hon.Prof. Dr. Hans-Gert Pöttering and Prof. Dr. Oliver Vornberger.
The prizewinners are: Antje Alberts; Simone Anthes; Dr. Vera Baye; Judith Bergkemper; Tobias Martin Boosfeld; Kathleen Burrey; Annalena Martina Busch; Peer Dietzel; Thomas Dobler; Dr. Birte Kristina Friesel; Lina Gleie; Sascha Hager; Hannah Hirsch; Arne Klages; Daniel Klumpe; Kristina Kobrock; Lisa Laabs; Dr. Dominic Laniewski; Benjamin Mehring; Lukas Müller; Sophie Johanna Naber; Stella Neubert; Marc Ovelgönne; Collin Pacholke; Isabelle Pooth; Anna Charlotte Rau; Philipp Roleff; Ella Rothe; Christoph Rain Singer and Merle Weigelt; Elisa Sommer; Max Stephan; Henrike Stindt; Kim Targan; Malte Wehmeier; Annemarie Witschas and Felix Zeitner.
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Daniela Räuwer, Osnabrück University
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