Henrik Enderlein Prize

Candidates can be nominated or self-nominate themselves. All candidates must:

• have a record of scientific excellence in the social sciences, with a particular focus on economics, political science, sociology, or related fields and disciplines
• be less than forty years old by the end of the calendar year that precedes the award ceremony (i.e. born in or after 1986 for the 2026 prize)
• hold citizenship from the European Union or work for a research institution located within the European Research Area

We are currently accepting nominations for the year 2026, and the nomination period will remain open until 23:59 CET on 30 March 2026.

Additional guidance from the selection committee

• The committee will consider on equal footing applications from candidates doing research in different fields of social sciences.
• The committee will base its assessment on the excellence, relevance and impact of a candidate’s research. To this end it will consider publications in academic journals as well as contributions to public policy and the public debate.

Application files must include:

• An application letter (max 750 words) from the candidate or a person nominating her;
• A summary presentation (max 1000 words) of the candidate’s research and policy work of relevance for the application;
• A CV;
• Three publications (maximum) for consideration by the selection committee.

Candidates may request that the age threshold be applied flexibly for justifiable reasons, such as caregiver duties and health-related reasons.

Please submit your application using this form.

The prize committee includes representatives from the two universities and the Foreign Offices, additional scholars recognised for their work in a diverse set of social science disciplines as well as a representative from both a French and German media outlet. The committee will select the prize recipient after due scrutiny and collective discussion of scientific merits and impact beyond academia.      

• Cornelia Woll, Professor of International Political Economy at the Hertie School | President of the Jury
• Thierry Mayer, Professor of Economics at Sciences Po
• Jakob Vogel, Professor of History at Sciences Po
• Paul-André Rosental, Scientific Director at Sciences Po
• Thurid Hustedt, Professor of Public Administration and Management and Dean of Graduate Programmes at the Hertie School
• Johanna Mair, Professor of Organisation, Strategy and Leadership at the Hertie School and Director of the Florence School of Transnational Governance (STG) at the European University Institute
• Caroline Soder, Deputy Commissioner for Franco-German Cooperation at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Quentin Jalla, Deputy Commissioner for Franco-German Cooperation at the German Federal Foreign Office 
• Anja Wehler-Schöck, Member of the Editorial Board at Tagesspiegel
• Elsa Conesa, German correspondent at Le Monde

1. Are the candidates in the humanities eligible to apply? Candidates in the humanities may apply as long as their research is closely related to disciplines in the social sciences.
2. Are the candidates from the EU candidate countries (negotiating status) eligible to submit applications?  Yes, you are welcome to apply.
3. Can the age limit be flexible? I am now 40 years old, but by the end of 2026, I will be 41. Am I still eligible to apply? You state that “Candidates may request that the age threshold be applied flexibly for justifiable reasons, such as caregiver duties and health-related reasons”. I can provide some medical reasons. Health-related reasons must be duly justified. Upon review of relevant proof, the jury may grant some flexibility. Yet, there is no guarantee. 
4. Questions about the three publications to send: do they have to be in English? And is it possible to send a book instead of an article? Yes, publications must be submitted in the English language so as to make sure the international jury can review them. We suggest you provide articles, but a book is fine as long as you provide an abstract.
5. Can a "pair of applicants" be nominated if two eligible young researchers have contributed jointly to a project? As the prize is awarded to an individual, it is not possible to nominate several people or projects led by several people.

For further questions, please reach out: [email protected]