Wanted: excellent publications on citizen science!

Brain City Berlin

Scientists from all disciplines can still be nominated until 3 June for the “Wissen der Vielen – Forschungspreis für Citizen Science” 2024. Own and third-party nominations are possible. The award, which is endowed with a total of 35,000 euros, is being organised this year by “mit:forschen! Gemeinsam Wissen schaffen“ for the second time. It honours outstanding scientific achievements in the field of Citizen Science.

Spotlight on: The “Wissen der Vielen – Forschungspreis für Citizen Science” puts outstanding scientific achievements in the spotlight. Scientists involved in participatory research who have published research findings in the last five years are being sought. These should have been developed using a citizen science approach. Anyone can suggest suitable candidates – but researchers can also nominate themselves. It is definitely worth taking part because there is prize money totalling 35,000 euros: There is 20,000 euros for 1st place, 10,000 euros for 2nd place and 5,000 euros for 3rd place. The prize money is intended to support the winners in further expanding their Citizen Science projects.

Who is eligible for nomination?

Scientists from all disciplines can be nominated. However, they must be linked to a German research institution. In the case of third-party nominations, the person nominated must be informed about the nomination and agree to the conditions of participation. The nominated authors each represent a collaborative scientific work.

What are the evaluation criteria?

The documents submitted will be assessed by a jury (link in German only) on the basis of four criteria. These are weighted differently.

Technical quality of the research work (40 percent)
Added value of citizen science for the research (30 per cent)
Social dimension of the research (15 percent)
Quality of the research process (15 per cent)

How are the award winners selected?

When assessing the nominations, the jury is guided by the four criteria. In addition, it receives an independent external review for publications that are not peer-reviewed. The award winners are selected over two stages: First, all submissions are evaluated in an online process. The jury then selects the winner and the runners-up. The award ceremony will take place on 9 October 2024 in Hamburg as part of the Forum Citizen Science (link in German only)

The prize is awarded by “mit:forschen! Gemeinsam Wissen schaffen”, the central citizen science platform in Germany. The joint project between Wissenschaft im Dialog and the Museum of Natural History Berlin is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). (vdo)

Nominations for “Wissen der Vielen – Forschungspreis für Citizen Science” can be submitted here until 3 June 2024, 23:59.