The Gottfried Wagener Prize is awarded for application-oriented innovative research in four categories, each carrying a cash value of ¥2.5 million:

Materials
Digitalization and Mobility
Energy
Life Sciences


Some suggested fields of research and examples are shown below. Some research fields appear in more than one category. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list - research into other technologies within these categories may be considered.

Materials
Bio-based materials
Functional materials (e.g. electronics, optics, semiconductors, battery materials, fuel cell materials, magnets, ceramics, catalysts, flexible electronics)
Structural materials (high-strength/lightweight)
Innovative chemical and material processes
Nanotechnology (nanomaterials 0D, 1D, 2D)
Tribology
Materials for variable/wearable devices

Digitalization and Mobility
Robotics / collaborative robots
Cyber-physical systems
Human machine interface
Internet of Things
Big data
3D printing / additive manufacturing
Clean vehicles (alternative drive systems, electric and hybrid vehicle, battery systems, fuel cell systems, new materials for weight reduction, reduced CO2 emission)
Engine efficiency and development; combustion, powertrain, new lubricants
Vehicle-related ICT (connected vehicles, intelligent transport system, infrastructure monitoring, vehicle operating system, software)
Autonomous driving
Mobile robots, drones, artificial intelligence, sensors, simulation methods
Digital and Robotics Solutions in Farming
Noise, Vibration, Harshness (NVH)

Energy
Renewable energy
Energy conversion and storage
Batteries
Hydrogen and fuel cells
Power electronics
ICT for energy management

Life Sciences
Healthcare
Medical technologies
Medical equipment and diagnostics
Consumer health / Consumer care
Agriculture
Animal health
Biotechnology


The submission may be the result of an ongoing research or work completed within the past two years. Applicants must be affiliated to a research institute or university in Japan and be under 46 years of age.