Call for Nominations for the 2026 Voltaire Award

In January 2026 the University Potsdam will, for the tenth time now, award a young scholar with the the "Voltaire Prize for Tolerance, International Understanding and Respect for Difference". Each year the prize is granted to a young scholar who has made important contributions to the popular discourse in these topics or campaigned for freedom in research, and education as well as the right of free expression. The panel of judges will select a winner from the submitted nominations.

The winner of the Voltaire Award will be honored during the 2026 New Year's Reception. The prize amounts to €5,000 and is financed by the Friede Springer Foundation.

Nominations for the Voltaire Award must be submitted by third parties or organizations. Self-nominations are not possible.

Please send nomination and documents via application form given below. If you would like to include any additional information, you may do so in the upload. Should we have any further questions or need more information, we will contact you. Nominations must be submitted in German or English by 16th November 2025 using the online form.

Nomination for Voltaire Award 2026

Short presentation of the proposing institution

Institution / Organisation*

Title

Surname / First Name*

E-Mail*

Short presentation of the proposing institution*

Webseite of proposing Institution*

Adress of proposing Institution

Reasons for Nomination (Abstract)*

Description of Nominee

Institution / Organisation*

Title

Surname / First Name*

E-Mail*

Short Presentation of Institution of Nominee*

Webseite of Nominee or Nominee's Institution*

Nominee's Adress*

Nomination Letter (Longversion, but no longer than three pages)

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Details of any previously received Awards

Description of previous Awards*

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Tabular CV of Nominee

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Additional Information (i.e. Publications, Video-Links, etc.)

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Data protection declaration of nominating person (see above on the right side)

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