16th Balg-Mächler Student Award 2026

The Ilse Balg Foundation announces the 16th Balg-Mächler Student Prize 2026, an annual competition for upper secondary school students from Berlin and Brandenburg. Under the motto “City and Countryside in Transition,” scientifically grounded, creative works are sought that address future questions of urban and rural development. Eligible to participate are individuals or groups whose projects were completed either as a Special Learning Achievement, in the “Jugend forscht” competition, or as part of an upper secondary course (semester or annual project). Submissions must be at least 20 pages long and relevant to the topic. The jury evaluates the entries based on scientific foundation, creativity, and concrete relevance to the competition theme. Winners will receive prize money of €1,000 (1st prize), €600 (2nd prize), and €300 (3rd prize), as well as an official certificate and an invitation to a formal award ceremony in Berlin in July 2026.

Applications must be submitted by postal mail by April 30, 2026 (postmark date). Required are a printed copy of the work, a digital copy (PDF or Word), and one author form with a teacher’s recommendation each. Participation in the competition offers the opportunity to present results before an expert jury and gain recognition in the field of urban research. The Ilse Balg Foundation, Honorary Professor Ilse Balg Foundation in the field of urban research, supports this prize to encourage the commitment of young talents to future-oriented urban and regional development in the Berlin-Brandenburg region.