Körber European Science Prize
Awarded annually, the Körber European Science Prize honors a distinguished scientist conducting research in Europe, alternating between the fields of life sciences and physical sciences. With prize money totaling €1,000,000, the Körber Prize supports outstanding researchers and promotes pioneering scientific work with strong future potential.
Stephanie Wehner awarded the Körber Prize 2025
Computer scientist and quantum physicist Stephanie Wehner has been awarded the prestigious Körber European Science Prize. The €1 million award recognises her groundbreaking work on the quantum internet – an ultrafast and extremely safe network that will enable entirely new applications and computing possibilities. In the future, data could be transmitted with absolute security, while networked applications solve problems in record time far beyond the capabilities of today’s internet. The award coincides with the United Nations’ International Year of Quantum Science celebrating 100 years of quantum mechanics.
About the Körber Prize
In 1984, our founder Kurt A. Körber established the Körber European Science Prize to honor scientific excellence in Europe. Kurt Körber’s initial idea was to support scientists in the realisation of forward-looking ideas. Only projects that promised "a significant contribution to the improvement of living conditions on our planet" were to be honored. For almost forty years now, the Search Committees and the Trustee Committee have sought to live up to this claim when selecting Körber Prize winners.
„With this prize, Kurt Körber wanted to highlight and combine two particular concerns: Firstly, the role of excellent science for our society and, secondly, the quest for a united, peaceful Europe. This gives the prize a very special dignity. In the troubled times in which we find ourselves today, this dignity is more than an inspiring reminder. It is a real incentive to work for Europe – and science has much to contribute.“
Prof. Dr. Patrick Cramer
With the Körber Prize, Kurt A. Körber also pursued a political objective. When the prize was established in the 1980s, one of its aims was to use science to make the then still existing Iron Curtain between Eastern and Western Europe more permeable. In the first few years, the prize was awarded to research groups, but since 2005 it has been awarded to outstanding individuals conducting research at a European institution.
We are convinced that investing in fundamental research in Europe is more important than ever to keep up with the global competition for the best minds and ideas.
"It was important to the founder to emphasise three ideas: Germany, Europe and the future. The prize was intended to promote research in Europe."
Reimar Lüst
First Chairman of the Körber Prize Trustee Committee between 1984 - 1996
Contact
Dr. Markus Dressel
Hamburg Science Summit, Körber European Science Prize
Franziska Heese
Hamburg Science Summit, Körber European Science Prize
Thomas Nöthen
Hamburg Science Summit, Körber European Science Prize
Charlotte Worbes
Hamburg Science Summit, Körber European Science Prize
