Celebrating solutions & pioneers

Science is the foundation of everything we do at Forschungszentrum Jülich. But impact does not happen by default. It happens when researchers take responsibility beyond the lab — when results become solutions, technologies, collaborations, or start-ups.

The Endeavours Award celebrates this transformation. It's not about measuring efforts or volume of work. It's about celebrating what research becomes when teams take it further.

What the Endeavours Award stands for

The Endeavours Award is for those who refuse to let great science sit on a shelf. We recognize the researchers, teams, and pioneers at Forschungszentrum Jülich who bridge the gap between discovery and application — often beyond formal responsibilities, job descriptions or clinical metrics.

We recognise those who

  • Turn research into usable solutions
  • Enable use in society and industry
  • Build spin-offs and lay the foundations for long-term partnerships
  • Share technology and move research beyond the lab

Recently nominated

Discover the people and endeavours behind the latest nominations

Nominated by

Prof. Hans-Georg Steinrück

7Ex Technologies

Extract lithium sustainably

Institute for a sustainable Hydrogen Economy

Nominated by

Dr. Ann-Katrin Beuel

Drought Analytics

Protect Crop Yields

Insitute of Bio- & Geosciences

Nominated by

Dr. Marck Lumeij

Hyca Heat

Decarbonize industrial heat

Institute for a sustainable Hydrogen Economy

Pioneers, ventures and their endeavours 2026
→ Explore all nominees

Three categories. One mindset.

Don't worry about the boxes. Focus on the achievement — we’ll handle the classification.

Pioneers

For teams and individuals who have successfully made research usable — through partnerships, licensing, funding or societal impact.

Focus: tangible results and visible transfer.

Ventures

For those who take research beyond the institute and actively build new ventures, spin-offs or entrepreneurial pathways.

Focus: initiative, responsibility and the courage to become an entrepreneur.

Best Innovator

Our highest recognition for long-term, visible contributions in innovation.

This category is curated by the Innovation Division and highlights contributions of extraordinary relevance and impact.

Everything you need to know

Get in touch with us

Feel free to reach out anytime to the Innovation Division (I). Everything you need to know, all in one place → Explore our quick guide, detailed FAQ and the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Vanessa Leffler

Innovationsmanagerin

    Building 15.3 /
    Room 3007
    +49 2461/61-6905
    E-Mail

    Last Modified: 24.03.2026