Leopoldina Academy Honours
Leopoldina Academy Honours
The Leopoldina confers awards in the form of medals and prizes in recognition of outstanding scientific achievements. These are usually awarded in a festive atmosphere during the Biennial Assemblies (Jahresversammlungen) of the Academy. An overview is presented here:
The Leopoldina's highest honour is that of honorary membership, which is limited to only a few members.
Medals
The Cothenius Medal in gold, instituted on the basis of a foundation by the former member and Director Ephemeridum Christian Andreas von Cothenius (1708-1789). It was awarded for the first time in 1792. At the beginning, the commemorative medal was given to those who found the best solution to a prize question in the field of practical medicine. Since 1954, the Leopoldina has awarded the medal to members to honour an outstanding scientific lifework.
The Carus Medal, which was instituted as a foundation on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the professorship of the 13th Academy President, Carl Gustav Carus (1789-1869), was first awarded in 1896. Since 1961, it has been complemented by the city of Schweinfurt’s Carus Award which is endowed with 5,000 Euros. As a rule, the award goes to younger natural scientists or physicians who have distinguished themselves with pioneering research achievements.
The Schleiden Medal, named after Matthias Jacob Schleiden (1804-1881), was introduced in 1955 for “significant achievements in the field of cell research”.
The Mendel Medal, originally instituted in 1965 in honour of Gregor Mendel (1822-1884), honours “special contributions to general biology” (molecular biology and genetics).
The award of the Darwin Badge in 1959 to 18 leading geneticists and evolution researchers world-wide commemorating the 100th anniversary of the publication of Darwin's essential work The Origin of Species remains a unique event.
On special occasions, the Presidium can award Medals of Merit showing the portrait and the name of whoever is honoured for major contributions to the benefit of the Academy.
Prizes
Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker Prize - The Stifterverband Science Prize together with the Leopoldina, category “Science and Society“ is awarded to scientists or teams of researchers for their scientific contribution to socially critical questions. The Prize is endowed with 50,000 Euros donated by the Stifterverband. It will be awarded in 2009 for the first time.
Starting in 2010, the Leopoldina will award the Leopoldina Early Career Award der Commerzbank-Stiftung which will be endowed with 30,000 Euros. It will replace the Leopoldina Research Award, donated by the Commerzbank Foundation that was awarded to scientists for outstanding performance in one of the research fields of the Leopoldina. The prize was endowed with 15,000 Euros (2001-2007).
The Thieme Award of the Leopoldina for Medicine endowed with 15,000 Euro was awarded for the first time in 2007. The distinction is given to junior scientists who have made a major contribution in the fields of etiology, pathogenesis, therapy or the prevention of human diseases.
Since 1993, the Academy has awarded the Leopoldina Prize for Junior Scientists endowed with 1,000 Euros and funded with means of the Karl Lohmann Donation. The prize goes to scientists who have not reached the age of 30 years and have performed outstanding scientific work in a field represented by the Leopoldina. Since 2009 the prize has been endowed with 2,000 Euros.
Since 2001, the Georg Uschmann Award for the History of Science has gone to junior scientists who have written an outstanding doctoral thesis. The award was instituted by Eugen and Inge Seibold and is endowed with 2,000 Euros.
Selection procedure for Leopoldina Academy Honours
- Members and Senators of the Leopoldina may propose candidates for the Leopoldina Academy Honours.
- Proposals for medals and prizes must include a cover letter as well as a precise laudation, the CV with date of birth and address, and the publication list of the candidate to be honoured.
- The Presidium deliberates on the proposals. The Senate of the Academy decides on the proposals.
- The Presidium awards the Academy Honorary Membership and Medals of Merit.
- Medals and prizes are usually awarded during the Biennial Assemblies (Jahresversammlungen) of the Academy.
Contact
Academy Office
Phone: +49 - 345 - 4 72 39 - 0
Fax: +49 - 345 - 4 72 39 - 19
leopoldina@leopoldina-halle.de
