Apply now for the prize for sustainable action

Where in research, teaching, technology or administration are there projects, initiatives or procedures that improve the sustainable use of resources at the University of Würzburg? The JMU Sustainability Commission would like to find out: It is calling for applications for the Albrecht-Fürst-zu-Castell-Castell Prize for Sustainable Action at the University of Würzburg.

The prize is awarded every year by JMU and the Universitätsbund Würzburg. As of this year, it is endowed with 4,000 euros (previously 3,000 euros) and is donated by the Fürstlich Castell'sche Bank. The prize money can be used freely.

Application modalities

Researchers and teaching staff as well as students and administrative or technical staff are invited to apply. An individual or group achievement can be honoured. Self-applications are just as possible as proposals from third parties. Applicants or nominees must be members of the University of Würzburg at the time of application or nomination.

From the applications received, the Sustainability Commission draws up a list of nominees for the Executive Board of the Universitätsbund, which decides on the awarding of the prize.

For the application, a single pdf file containing all documents must be submitted by e-mail :

• Description of the sustainability-relevant measures realised by the applying or proposed person/group (max. 2 Din A4 pages),
• Application of individuals: CV and list of publications or activity profile,
• Group application: description of the group activity/responsibility,
• If applicable, other documents categorised as relevant to the application.

The pdf file with the application documents must be received by the University Sustainability Commission by 30 June 2026 by e-mail: kommission.nachhaltigkeit@uni-wuerzburg.de

The Universitätsbund

Founded in 1921, the Universitätsbund Würzburg - Unibund for short - is an association of friends and supporters of JMU. The main aim of the Unibund is to provide financial support for the diversity of research and teaching at the university, especially for projects and initiatives for which no state funding is available. The Unibund also aims to "publicise" the university. One of the ways it does this is by organising public lectures by JMU researchers in the region around Würzburg.

Albrecht Fürst zu Castell-Castell

The award's namesake, the entrepreneur and private banker Albrecht Fürst zu Castell-Castell (1925-2016), was Chairman of the Universitätsbund for 27 years and most recently its Honorary Chairman. JMU made him an honorary senator in 1984. This is the highest honour awarded by the university.