About the Award
The Karl H. Ditze Prize is one of the most significant awards at Hamburg University of Technology (TU Hamburg). Endowed by the Karl H. Ditze Foundation, it honours exceptional commitment and innovative ideas that contribute to the advancement of science, education, and society.
The prize is awarded annually in two categories:
Innovative Student Ideas and Initiatives – ausgezeichnet werden kreative Projekte und Aktivitäten, die über das Studium hinaus Wirkung entfalten und das Campusleben bereichern (Preishöhe bis zu 1.500 EUR).
Outstanding Final Theses – recognising creative projects and activities that have an impact beyond the degree programme and enrich campus life (award amount up to €1,500).
The Karl H. Ditze Prize ceremony is a highlight of TU Hamburg’s academic year and a strong signal of support for young talent, innovation, and social responsibility.
The call for applications is published each spring.
About the Donor and the Foundation
Karl H. Ditze (1906–1993) was a Hamburg-based businessman and partner of the rotring-Werke Riepe KG. His guiding principle, “Karitas – caring for others,” also shaped the establishment of his foundation in 1979. Ditze deliberately supported talented young people and application-oriented sciences – always with a keen sense of social responsibility.
The foundation reliably supports four Hamburg universities, including TU Hamburg, and is committed to charitable and social projects. At TU Hamburg, it endows, among others, the Karl H. Ditze Prize, which annually recognises outstanding achievements and initiatives.
Previous Award Winners for Student Initiatives
- 2024 - DuckING AG and Geerish Sahye for the integration of international students
- 2023 - Degree Programme Ambassadors of TUHH
- 2022 - Tutors of the Mechanik I Repetitorium and S.Plus Studierende stärken Schülerinnen und Schüler Mentoring e.V.
- 2021 - RuderING AG (student team) and Ingenieure ohne Grenzen e.V. / Technik ohne Grenzen e.V.
- 2019 - Indian Student Association
- 2017 - Till Rummenhohl, RobotING
- 2016 - Schahin Akbari, Tahani Alseik, Gabriele Grütter
- 2015 - ArtRoom project (international art group)
- 2014 - Jan Rädel, B.Sc., for his project “Trinkwasser in Malambo”
- 2013 - RuderING AG (student team) and “Medientechnik”: Dirk Göttsche, Hauke Nüstedt, Christian Schnabel
- 2012 - e-gnition Hamburg e.V.
- 2011 - Tutor group of the Coordination Office Infotronics/Mechatronics
- 2010 - Theatre AG
- 2009 - IEEE Student Branch Hamburg
- 2008 - African Student Organization (AStO) and Christian Schnabel
- 2007 - Engineers without borders e.V.
- 2006 - TUHH Symphony Orchestra SymphonING and Ditze Special Award to Benedikt Schetelig
- 2005 - Brewery AG
- 2004 - Sebastian Eicke and the team of the International Office (award funds for tutor training)
- 2003 - Five students for their extraordinary involvement, including contributions to the TUHH anniversary
- 2002 - Student Council Shipbuilding
- 2001 - Unifilm AG
- 2000 - Arne Seidel and Thorsten Uelzen
