The German Studies Excellence Award at MIT, sponsored by Global Languages and MIT-Germany / MISTI, was started in 1997 to honor students of German in each academic year who exhibit unusually strong skills and effort in the study of German language and cultures in classes at MIT. The awards are decided by a jury of German Studies faculty and instructional staff.
We solicit work from students in MIT German classes in AY 2025 (Fall 2024, IAP 2025, and Spring 2025) demonstrating original and creative excellence in German Studies. First Prize is a round trip flight to Germany. Second and Third place prizes also awarded.
Students may submit a piece of work such as a short essay, poetry, or writing assignment that was completed for a German class in the Fall, IAP, or Spring semesters of the current academic year. Submissions for AY2025 are closed. We are looking forward to your submission for AY2026! Submission details (for AY2025):
All participants are required to attend the Award Ceremony on April 29, 2025, at 5:00-6:00 PM in 4-249.
Please contact your German instructor with any questions.
For technical questions, please contact borko@mit.edu
2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 •
2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017
2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012
2011 • 2010 • 2009 • 2008 • 2007
2006 • 2005
The award ceremony in 2017 also marked the 20th anniversary of the Excellence Award for German Studies. This 2017 photo shows first prize winner Melinda Szabo, class of 2019 (center); Markus Buehler (left), McAfee Professor of Engineering and Faculty Director of MIT-Germany / MISTI; and Erin Schenck (right), Managing Director MIT-Germany at that time.