The Werner and Erika Messmer Foundation was established in 2010 and is based in Radolfzell on Lake Constance. It supports charitable projects in science and research, education and training, culture and art, youth welfare, care for the elderly, sport and the idea of homeland.
Messmer Foundation Research Awards
As part of its efforts to promote science and research, the foundation has been supporting the University of Konstanz since 2020 by awarding three research awards worth 30,000 euros per year to young researchers. The awards enable future-oriented research ideas.
Target group are postdocs from all faculties at the University of Konstanz. Applicants must have completed their doctorate and not be full professors, so junior professors, too, may apply.
Selection criteria
- Innovation potential and perspective of the research idea (to what extent does it contribute to the scientific and social relevance of a research area?)
- Research excellence of the project and of the researcher
- Feasibility of the plans
- Ideas to involve schools and school students in the research project are especially welcome (optional criterion)
The selection process includes representatives from the Committee on Research (AFF), the faculties and the Rectorate as well as the managing board of the Werner and Erika Messmer Foundation select the award winners. Award winners have to submit interim reports and a final report as well as present their work in person (where applicable). The application deadline for 2024 has expired. A new call for applications will be issued in spring 2025.
Here you can find out more about the previous research award winners (in German).
Konstanz scholarship fund
Since 2019, the Werner and Erika Messmer Foundation has been the sponsor of the Konstanz Scholarship Fund scholarship at the University of Konstanz. The scholarship supports talented students with outstanding academic achievements. The selection committee also takes into account voluntary work and the overcoming of educational hurdles. The scholarship thus makes a valuable contribution to greater equality in education and to the future viability of our business and science location.
Thanks to the Werner and Erika Messmer Foundation's annual commitment of 5,400 euros, three students can be supported with a scholarship each year.