EWE Foundation and university award prize for the third time

In co-operation with the University of Oldenburg, the EWE Foundation is awarding the Helene Lange Prize for outstanding young female scientists for the third time. The nationwide competition for the award, which is endowed with 10,000 euros, is aimed at young female scientists in the natural sciences, mathematics, Computing Science and technology. Applications can be submitted until 15 March 2012. The winner will be selected by a high-calibre jury. The award will be presented on 3 May 2012.

Studies show that qualified women are still significantly underrepresented in management positions in science and business. With the Helene Lange Prize, the EWE Foundation and the University of Oldenburg want to draw attention to this problem and honour the achievements of outstanding female scientists in a special way.

Last year's winners were Prof. Dr Sarah Köster (born 1979), Courant Research Centre for Physics at the University of Göttingen, Prof. Dr Hannah Markwig (born 1980), now Professor of Mathematics at Saarland University, and Dr Dai Zhang (born 1977), physicist at the University of Tübingen.

Applicants should have completed their studies with an outstanding doctorate and have decided to pursue an academic career, but not yet be appointed to a full professorship. In addition to work in pioneering research projects, relevant publications and teaching experience are also part of the profile of the 2012 Helene Lange Prize winner. The detailed requirements and the online application form can be found at www.helene-lange-preis.de.

The prize's namesake, Helene Lange, who was born in Oldenburg in 1848, was committed to improving the education system throughout her life. She is considered one of the most important pioneers of girls' and women's education in Germany.