The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft jointly present up to three Fraunhofer-Bessel Research Awards a year. This science award honors internationally recognized academics working in applied research abroad for their outstanding scientific achievements. The award amount is €45,000. Award winners are also invited to conduct a research project of their choice at a research institution in Germany. The award enables a total stay of between six months and a full year, which can be split into multiple stays. Nominations for the Fraunhofer-Bessel Research Award may be initiated by directors or leading researchers at institutes of the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft in Germany.