The Walter Benjamin Kolleg unites the manifold inter- and transdisciplinary research activities within the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Bern, Switzerland. It is particularly committed to the advancement of early-career researchers.
To this end, the Kolleg awards the annual prize "Young Scholars" (worth CHF 1,500) to one excellent researcher from Switzerland or abroad who vividly communicate their interdisciplinary research to a broad public.
"Young Scholars" aims to identify and promote young talent by increasing their visibility, creating networking opportunities, and boosting their scientific development. In turn, young scholars at the Kolleg benefit from the exchange with the awardees, enhancing dialogue and collaboration among peers.
The prize is awarded as part of a public event at a Bernese cultural institution. This is flexible in terms of topic, mode of presentation and venue, allowing new opportunities for collaboration to arise each time.

Selection criteria
- Outstanding interdisciplinary research in the humanities in Switzerland or abroad
- Experience in communicating one's own research to a broad public
- Ph.D. that was awarded no more than five years ago (net academic age)
- International candidates are especially welcome.

Process
- We welcome self-applications and nominations by May 5 to ariane.lorke@unibe.ch.
- Selection by the Steering Committee of the Kolleg until May 30

Applications documents (please compile all documents into a single pdf file)
- Name and institutional affiliation of the suggested person
- Curriculum vitae and evidence of experience in science communication
- Qualification according to the selection criteria and connection between the applicant's research and the interdisciplinary work of the Kolleg
- Additionally, in case of self-application: a letter of motivation and a letter of recommendation