Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize – Criteria and Eligibility

The Jacobs Foundation invites applications for its 2025 Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize, honoring exceptional researchers, whose scientific contributions can be considered as a cornerstone for the advancement in the field, in any scholarly discipline aiming at improving learning, development, and living conditions of children and youth.

The Klaus J. Jacobs research prize is endowed with 1 million Swiss Francs to support the research endeavours of the prize recipient. Of these, 900’000 Swiss Francs are to be used in a research project and 100’000 Swiss Francs are for related costs, such as travel, networking, and dissemination.

CRITERIA & ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Applications and nominations are open to all scholarly disciplines (e.g., educational sciences, psychology, economics, sociology, family studies, media studies, political sciences, linguistics, neurosciences, computer sciences, medical sciences) dealing with or contributing to the successful development and learning of children and youth.
• The applicant or nominee’s research must have led to major, ground-breaking contributions to the field of child and youth development and learning.
• The applicant or nominee should be an active researcher and still have several years of active work life ahead.
• The applicant or nominee must be an individual researcher. Organisations or research teams cannot apply or be nominated.
• Prior application/nomination does not exclude a candidate from consideration in subsequent years.
• All applications/nominations will be reviewed for formal completeness and for the fulfilment of eligibility requirements by Jacobs Foundation Management.
• Outstanding applications and nominations that fully meet criteria and eligibility requirements will be reviewed by the Research Prize Jury, consisting of internationally renowned scientists across a range of disciplines.
• The prize recipient will be asked to participate in the prize ceremony, as well as other outreach and scientific activities related to or initiated by the Jacobs Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questionss

Application and Nomination Process

Q: How does the process work?
A: There are two ways to participate in the Research Prize process: you can either nominate someone whose work you wish to highlight, or you can apply directly for the prize yourself.

Q: Who can apply or nominate a candidate for the Research Prize?
A: Applications can be submitted by individual researchers themselves, or candidates can be nominated by someone familiar with their work, such as an academic scholar with expertise in the field, who should be able to comment on the research achievements of the nominee.

Q: How do the application and nomination process differ?

A: In the application process, researchers directly submit their materials and supporting documents. In the nomination process, a nominator completes the form on behalf of the candidate, with optional support letters. Please note that both nomination and application undergo the same process, just with different methods of entry.

Q: Should the nominator be from academia, or can they be from a non-academic institution?
A: Nominators do not need to have an academic affiliation. The quality and relevance of the nomination are more important than the nominator’s institutional background.

Eligibility for the KJJ Research Prize

Q: Who is eligible to apply or be nominated?
A: The prize is for individual researchers who have established themselves as senior researchers with a proven career and several years of active work ahead. The aim is to support the ongoing research of the prize recipient.

Q: Can individuals with no scientific background apply or be nominated?
A: No, the prize is specifically intended for researchers. The prize aims to reward and foster scientific achievements, though candidates can have additional affiliations.

Q: Should the applicant be from academia, or can they be from a non-academic institution?
A: Applicants must have an academic affiliation. 

Application and Nomination Materials

Q: What is expected from the application / nomination form? How long should the text be?
A: Whether you are applying yourself or nominating someone, the form should be completed concisely, with each section adhering to the indicated word limit.

Q: Can I submit a support letter? Is there a limit or a recommended number?
A: Support letters are optional but up to three support letters are permitted. Please ensure that each letter provides unique insights One comprehensive support letter is preferable to multiple repetitive ones. Alternatively, support letters can also be co-signed by multiple nominators.

Q: In which format should I upload the requested documents? What is the maximum file size?
A: Documentation should be uploaded in both PDF AND Microsoft Word formats with a maximum file size of 50 MB.

Q: Can previous candidates be reconsidered for this year’s Research Prize?
A: Yes, but the application or nomination for the candidate must be resubmitted using the current year’s form.

To submit an initial application or nomination, please complete the online form. The submission deadline is 31 January 2025 at 23.00 CET. As the applications are reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis, early submission is encouraged.