JUST! Award 2026: Calling for Future-Focused Projects

Until December 31, 2025, students from grade 8 onward, upper-level school teams from grade 11 and university students can submit their projects for the JUST! Award 2026. The competition is open to projects from the fields of technology and the natural sciences, as well as business, social, and cultural studies. A total of up to 25,000 euros in funding will be awarded during the prize ceremony in May.

This year’s special theme focuses on the “Contradiction between resource availability and prosperity” – in short: How can prosperity thrive within the limits of our planet? The foundation is looking for ideas that conserve resources, close material loops, and promote fairness – for example, through new materials and recycling methods, circular economy models, or social and cultural approaches to responsible consumption.

“The JUST! Award inspires young people to tackle real future challenges with curiosity, teamwork, and enthusiasm – exactly what our world needs today,” says Alexandra Mebus, Chairwoman of the Zeppelin Youth Foundation JUST! and CHRO of the Zeppelin Group. “We support ideas that promise real impact – technically, economically, and socially. This time, I’m especially looking forward to submissions that show how smart ideas can unite prosperity and resource protection.”

The Zeppelin Youth Foundation was established in 1990 by the Zeppelin Group and Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH. Since then, both companies have continuously supported the advancement of young talents. Among past JUST! projects is a bio-based algae coating for paper developed by a student team – a fat- and water-repellent material that could serve as the basis for sustainable packaging. Another award-winning project was a mobile rescue robot developed by several students, capable of autonomously navigating confined spaces and detecting people. Both examples illustrate how the JUST! Award turns scientific curiosity into practical solutions. More information about the JUST! Award and how to apply is available at www.just-zeppelin.com.

Team spirit in action: This JUST! Award project developed a system that enables the goalkeeper in table soccer to automatically block and return shots — with a 93 percent save rate!

E-inspection for silos: Acoustic wall measurements in a model silo determine fill levels and flow profiles — an exceptionally innovative concept with strong industrial potential.The JUST! Award is presented every two years to student and university projects in technical and natural sciences as well as in business, social, and cultural studies.

About the Zeppelin Youth Foundation JUST!

The Zeppelin Youth Foundation JUST! was founded in 1990 by Zeppelin GmbH and Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH. Its mission is to promote the education and development of young talents in the Friedrichshafen and Ravensburg-Weingarten region. Individuals and teams are invited to submit their projects in the fields of natural sciences, technology, business, and the social or cultural sciences. The best entries receive funding awards totaling up to 25,000 euros and are honored with the JUST! Award. For more information, visit www.just-zeppelin.com.

About the Zeppelin Group

The Zeppelin Group offers integrated solutions in the fields of construction and mining, agriculture and recycling, power and energy as well as industry – ranging from the distribution and service of construction equipment and drive systems to rental and project solutions, plant engineering as well as digital services. Zeppelin operates in 29 countries worldwide and employs more than 12,000 people. In fiscal year 2024, the company generated revenue of 3.8 billion euros; following an acquisition completed in 2025, consolidated revenue increased to more than 5 billion euros. The Group’s business activities are organized into four Strategic Business Units: Construction Industry & Mining, Rental, Power Systems and Plant Engineering. The holding company is Zeppelin GmbH, with its legal domicile in Friedrichshafen and headquarters in Garching near Munich. Shareholders are the Zeppelin Foundation and Zeppelin Luftschiffbau GmbH. As a foundation-owned company, Zeppelin combines commercial success with social responsibility. For more information, visit www.zeppelin.com.

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