ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´

Teaching Award

Since 2008, Leibniz University has awarded a teaching prize once a year. As good teaching has many facets, three categories have been established for the teaching prize in recent years, in which professors and academic staff can receive an award: Motivation and Inspiration, Innovation and Transfer, and Teaching Culture and Professionalisation.

Each award is endowed with 2,000 euros. The prize money is to be used to fund further initiatives promoting good teaching. The decision is made by a selection panel. The winners are honoured at the subsequent Teaching Day and presented to the university community.

Prize categories

In its mission statement, ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ has set out its commitment to excellence in teaching. Excellent teaching takes many forms. Through their dedication, teaching staff contribute to the development of teaching at various levels.

  • Category 1: Motivation and inspiration

    The awards recognise lecturers who...

    • have excellent teaching evaluation results
    • deliver highly engaging and inspiring teaching
    • adopt a well-considered and reflective approach
    • create a positive environment for teaching and learning (e.g. through the effective design of input, learning tasks and collaborative work).
  • Category 2: Innovation and Transfer

    The award recognises lecturers who...

    • excel in teaching a strategically significant topic
    • are able to integrate socially relevant topics into their teaching (e.g. aspects of the sustainable development goals, diversity, internationalisation, digitalisation, linking research and teaching)
    • promote the further development of their teaching unit through their innovative teaching,
    • ensure the transfer of the topic outside the university (Service Learning, Third Mission).
  • Category 3: Teaching culture and professional development

    The award recognises lecturers who ..

    • make a significant contribution to improving teaching within the institution, in a degree programme, a faculty, across the university or even across multiple universities (curriculum and programme development, implementation of innovative teaching projects)
    • promote or support the professional development of colleagues (e.g. as a manager or mentor)
    • serve as role models in teaching for early-career researchers
    • promote interdisciplinary, collegial exchange on teaching (e.g. through active participation in ‘Lehre am Mittag, the ‘Teaching Day’ or conferences outside ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´)
    • create a collegial and cooperative educational environment for all those involved in teaching and study.

The procurement process

February to April 2026

Nomination

All members of ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ may nominate candidates for the Teaching Award until 7 April 2026. Anyone involved in teaching (current staff, mid-level academic staff and professors) is eligible for nomination. Nominations must be submitted via an online form in one of the three award categories. The process consists of two stages: in the first stage, the number of nominations is counted; in the second, their conciseness and relevance are assessed.

April – June 2026

Selection decision

The selection panel reviews all nominations and makes the decision. It comprises students, teaching staff, staff from teaching support departments, the President (who chairs the panel) and the Vice President for Education (in an advisory capacity).

June 2026

Award ceremony

The award ceremony for the 2025 winners will take place as part of the 'Teaching Day' event on 15 June 2026.

Further teaching awards

Contact us

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