Seniorenuniversität Bern Foundation Prize
The Seniorenuniversität Bern is committed to fostering early-career researchers. The prize honors researchers who have completed a thesis at the University of Bern related to age, aging, or intergenerational relationships. Each year, a prize of CHF 5,000 is awarded for an outstanding dissertation and a prize of CHF 5,000 for an outstanding habilitation (postdoctoral thesis).
To be eligible for the prize, researchers must have completed a dissertation or habilitation on this topic at the University of Bern within three years prior to the submission deadline. Researchers apply for the award themselves. The deadline for submissions is 15 May of the year in which the prize is awarded.
Further information and instructions for submitting an application can be found in the information flyer and application form below (submissions must be in German).
Seniorenuniversität Bern Foundation Prize
Call announcement: January 2026
Submission deadline: 15 May 2026
Award ceremony at Dies academicus: December 20256
Selection process
The selection is made in a two-stage process by the Prize Committee of the Board of the Seniorenuniversität Bern Foundation (academic assessment) and a committee consisting of members of the Seniorenuniversität Bern (lay assessment).
Academic prize committee
Prof. em. Dr. Andreas Stuck, president (Faculty of Medicine)
Prof. em. Dr. Pasqualina Perrig-Chiello (Faculty of Humanities)
Prof. Dr. Martin Sallmann (Faculty of Theology)
Prof. Dr. Maximilian von Ehrlich (Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences)
Prof. Dr. Stephan Wolf (Faculty of Law)
Jury of seniors
Dr. Peter Frey (president)
5-10 members of the Seniorenuniversität Bern
Previous prize winners
Please see the German page.
