Internationally, the awarding of an ERC grant is regarded as the highest honour for top-level research in the European Union. Funding from the European Research Council supports ground-breaking and visionary projects by outstanding scientists in the field of basic research. The ERC is one of the pillars of "Horizon Europe", the European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

Further information on funding through the ERC Grant

ERC Starting Grant

2022 Jun.-Prof. Dr Tim Bartley, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics

2022 Professor Dr Klaus Jöns, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics

2018 Prof. Dr Tibor Jager, Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, Department of Computer Science (now: University of Wuppertal)

2016 Professor Dr Thomas Kühne, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry

ERC Consolidator Grants

2016 Prof. Dr Dr rer. nat. Christine Silberhorn, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics

2016 Prof. Dr Thomas Zentgraf, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics

The German Research Foundation (DFG) has been awarding the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize to young researchers in recognition of outstanding achievements since 1977. The prizes are endowed with 20,000 euros and are intended to support young researchers in pursuing their scientific careers.

Further information on the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize of the DFG

2015 Dr Thomas Niendorf, until 2014 at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (now: University of Kassel)

2014 Professor Dr Eric Bodden, since 2016 at the Heinz Nixdorf Institute, Software Engineering Group

2008 Professor Dr Christine Silberhorn, since 2010 at the Faculty of Science, Department of Physics

2004 Professor Dr Friedrich Eisenbrand, from 2006 to 2008 at the Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, Department of Mathematics (now: École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne)

2003 Prof. Dr Ralf B. Wehrspohn, from April 2003 to May 2006 at the Faculty of Science, Department of Physics (today: Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg)

The Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, currently worth up to 2.5 million euros, is the most highly endowed German research prize. It has been awarded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) since 1986 and is considered the "German Nobel Prize".

Further information on the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize of the DFG

2011 Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Christine Silberhorn, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics

2002 Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Vollertsen, then Faculty 10, Department: Mechanical Engineering

1992 Prof. Dr. math. Friedhelm Meyer auf der Heide, then Faculty 17, subject: Computer Science

1992 Prof. Dr rer. nat. Burkhard Monien, then Department 17, subject: Computer Science

The German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina is the oldest scientific and medical learned society in Germany. It was founded in Schweinfurt in 1652 and has been based in Halle/Saale since 1878. Outstanding scientists from all over the world are elected as members. The Leopoldina has been the National Academy of Sciences since 2008.

• Prof. Dr rer. nat. Christine Silberhorn, member since 2012, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics
• Prof. Dr maths. Friedhelm Meyer auf der Heide, member since 2007, Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, Department of Computer Science

The North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences, Humanities and the Arts is one of the scientific academies in Germany. Based in Düsseldorf, the academy fosters the exchange of scientific ideas among its members and with representatives of the state's political and economic life, as well as relations with scientific institutions and scholars in Germany and abroad. It can stimulate scientific research and advises the state government on research funding. The North Rhine-Westphalian Academy is divided into three scientific classes and one class of the arts.

More information about the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences, Humanities and the Arts

• Prof. Dr rer. nat. Christine Silberhorn, member since 2020, Faculty of Science
• Prof. Dr maths. Friedhelm Meyer auf der Heide, member since 2013, Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, Institute of Computer Science
• Professor Caren Sureth-Sloane, member since 2013, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Chair of Business Administration, in particular Business Taxation
• Prof. Dr rer. nat. Franz J. Rammig, member since 2003, Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, Institute of Computer Science
• Prof. Dr phil. Hartmut Steinecke, member since 2002, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Institute of German Literature and Comparative Literature
• Prof. Dr rer. nat. Burkhard Monien, member since 1996, then Faculty 17, subject: Computer Science

The "Junge Kolleg" of the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Science and the Arts is funded by the Mercator Foundation. It is one of the largest funding programmes of a private foundation for the promotion of early-career researchers in North Rhine-Westphalia.

The programme aims to provide young academics with professional, financial and non-material support. Members receive an annual scholarship of 10,000 euros for up to four years as well as intensive professional support. In addition to a doctorate, membership of the Young Academy requires outstanding academic achievements at a university or research organisation in North Rhine-Westphalia. New members may not be older than 36 years of age at the time of their admission to the Kolleg and may not yet hold a permanent university teaching position.

The following academics are or were members of the Young Academy during their academic career at Paderborn University:

• Jun.-Prof. Dr Hans-Georg Steinrück, member since 2022, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry
• Dr Oliver Wallscheid, member since 2022, Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, Department of Electrical Engineering and Mathematics
• Jun.-Prof. Dr Claudia Alfes-Neumann, member since 2020, Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, Department of Mathematics
• Jun.-Prof. Dr Stefan Hohloch, member since 2019, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry
• Dr. Moritz Schulze Darup, member since 2019, Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, Department of Mathematics
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Heiko Hamann, member from 2016 to 2017, Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, Department of Computer Science
• Prof. Dr Michaela Geierhos, member from 2015 to 2017, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Business Informatics
• Dr Stefan Schumacher, member from 2013 to 2015, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics
• Professor Dr Klaus von Stosch, member from 2007 to 2008, now associate member, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Department of Catholic Theology
• Prof. Dr rer. nat. Cedrik Meier, member from 2007 to 2008, now associate member, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics
• Prof. Dr Sina Ober-Blöbaum, member from 2011 to 2014, Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, Department of Mathematics
• Dr Sonja Herres-Pawlis, member from 2011 to 2012, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry

acatech - National Academy of Science and Engineering is Germany's first national science academy. The non-profit organisation, whose name acatech stands for the combination of academia and technology, represents the interests of the technological sciences in Germany and abroad and advises politics and society on technology-related issues of the future. In addition, acatech has set itself the goal of supporting knowledge transfer between science and industry and promoting early-career researchers in technology.

• Professor Dr Friedhelm Meyer auf der Heide, member since 2017
• Professor Dr Ansgar Trächtler, member since 2015
• Professor Dr Artur Zrenner, member since 2015
• Dr Dr rer. nat. Wilhelm Schäfer, member since 2012
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Wilhelm Dangelmaier, member since 2008, involved in the thematic networks "Fundamental Questions of Engineering Sciences" and "Mobility".
• Prof. Dr rer. nat. Franz J. Rammig, member since 2004, involved in the thematic networks "Fundamental Issues in Engineering Sciences" and "Information and Communication Technology".
• Jürgen Gausemeier, member since 2003, member of the acatech Executive Board and involved in the "Product Creation" thematic network.
• Prof. Dr rer. nat. Burkhard Monien, member since 2002, involved in the thematic network "Mobility".

Since 2011, the Stifterverband and the DATEV-Stiftung Zukunft have awarded annual "Fellowships for Innovation in Junior Professors and Professors". Teaching staff from all disciplines at public and private universities in Germany can submit applications.The fellowships are individual, personal grants that provide the fellows with the freedom and resources to implement the planned teaching innovations. The aim of the programme is to create incentives for the development and testing of new teaching and examination formats or the redesign of modules and study sections and to promote exchange on junior professors and professors.

2019

• Prof. Dr Tobias Jenert, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Paderborn University, together with Prof. Dr Taiga Brahm, University of Tübingen, "How do we teach economics? Which economics do we teach?"

2016

• Prof. Dr Dr Oliver Reis, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Paderborn University, together with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stefan Wiesemann, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, "Enabling the acquisition of skills"

2013

• Dr Marc Sacher, Faculty of Science, Paderborn University, "The competence-oriented practical course in physics"

Fellowships for innovations in digital junior professors and professors

Since 2016, the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia(MKW) and the Stifterverband have awarded annual "Fellowships for Innovations in Digital University Teaching". They are intended for junior professors and professors working at state-run or state-funded universities in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. This is an individual, personalised grant that provides the fellows with the freedom and resources to implement teaching innovations. A fellowship is endowed with up to 50,000 euros, a tandem fellowship with up to 100,000 euros.

2019

• Prof. Dr Christian Plessl, Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, Paderborn University, together with Prof. Dr Heiner Giefers, South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, "Digital Teaching Letters with Jupyter Notebooks"
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Katrin Temmen, Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, Paderborn University, together with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Kersten, Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, "Design & use of smart, interactive scripts in STEM basic subjects (smartiS)"

2018

• Dr Marc Sacher, Faculty of Science, Paderborn University, "Diffle-Tool"

2017

• Dr Thomas John, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Paderborn University, "Reinforcing students' motivation to learn through gamification"
• Dr Ilka Mindt, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Paderborn University, "Bridging - foreign language and subject-specific science, heterogeneity in the inverted classroom and digital and social learning in English Linguistics"

2016

• Dr Ruth Hagengruber, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Paderborn University, "Philosophy goes MOOC"
• Prof. Dr Rebekka Schmidt, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Paderborn University, "Innovation through combination. Promoting creativity through the inverted classroom method and tablets in art didactic seminars"