"Anyone who wants to understand our country must study craftsmanship."

The German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH) will award its prize for the history of skilled crafts for the first time in 2028 as a prize for academic research. It is endowed with 10.000 euros.

In 2024 and 2026, the prize for the history of crafts was aimed at craft businesses and craft organizations, which could submit their projects. Now the Central Association of German Crafts The German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH) is awarding the prize for the first time in the field of science. Researchers, museums, archives, and historical, economic, social, or similar research institutions, networks, and their partner organizations are invited to submit their completed projects by June 16, 2027. The prize is endowed with €10.000. The prize money can be divided among several winners.

The following are eligible to participate:

Individuals, institutions and networks working with a scientific focus, including scientists, museums, archives and historical, economic, social or similar research institutions, networks and their partner organizations.

What may be submitted:

The range of projects is not limited. Projects can include:

• Research projects (Master's theses, doctoral theses, habilitations – completed but unpublished research papers or already published research papers),
• Conservation projects (securing or restoring sources, exhibits, documentation of intangible information, experimental archaeology, ethnographic fieldwork),
• Development projects (cataloging, digitization, providing access to sources or exhibits),
• Outreach projects (exhibitions, publications, digital formats with a scientific approach, projects that convey and pass on craft-related intangible cultural heritage).

Information and documents:

General information about the Prize for Crafts History and previous editions can be found on the website of the prizeThe competition announcement and application documents are available on the Underside of the 2028 Prize for Crafts History a DAK Bungalow.

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Deadlines and dates:

The application deadline is June 16, 2027. The jury meeting is planned for mid-October 2027. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place in the Master Hall at the House of German Crafts in Berlin in January 2028.

The applications should be in the form provided by the ZDH via download. Application form Applications must comply with the following requirements and should include: written information via a form, the complete academic project as a PDF or as a download link, and other supporting documents (supervisory or other expert opinions, relevant references). Applications must be submitted digitally to the following email address: geschichtspreis@zdh.de.

Alternatively, applications can be submitted by post to the following address:

Central Association of German Crafts
Prize for Crafts History 2028
Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße 20/21
10117 Berlin, Germany

Current application documentsPrize for Crafts History 2028
- Award
- Procurement guidelines
- ApplicationSource: ZDH

DHB now also digital!Simply click here and register for the digital German Crafts Journal (DHB)!