The National Latsis Prize is one of Switzerland's most prestigious scientific awards. It is awarded annually on behalf of the Geneva-based Latsis Foundation by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). The CHF 100,000 award honours the outstanding scientific achievements of a research scientist under age 40 working in Switzerland.
The Latsis Foundation, a charitable organisation, was established in 1975 by the Greek Latsis family in Geneva. The Foundation currently sponsors six awards: four university prizes, worth CHF 25,000 each, the National Latsis Prize and the European Latsis Prize, of CHF 100,000 each
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Picture: Karl Gademann, Winner of the National Latsis Prize 2011
© Derek Li Wan Po/SNSF
Karl Gademann receives the National Latsis Prize 2011
The crossroads of chemistry and biology inspires the research of organic chemist Karl Gademann. By isolating and synthesising natural materials he discovers surprising relationships which open up new research fields. He receives the National Latsis Prize 2011 in recognition of his achieve-ments in the total synthesis of natural products of biological interest. Worth 100,000 Swiss francs, the National Latsis Prize is awarded once a year by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) on behalf of the Latsis Foundation of Geneva.
Award Ceremony for Karl Gademann, 12.1.2012
On 12 January 2012, Karl Gademann, professor at the chemistry department of the University of Basel, was presented with the National Latsis Prize (see article above). Around hundred guests from science and politics attended the ceremony at the Rathaus in Berne, where they heard a speech honouring the prize winner’s achievements and speeches on other scientific topics.
Speech in honour of the prize winner by Prof. Hans-Ulrich Blaser, president of the Mathematics, Natural and Engineering Sciences division of the National Research Council of the SNSF.
Presentation by award winner Prof. Karl Gademann, Department of Chemistry, University of Basel
Keynote Address by Prof. Thomas Stocker, Climate and Environmental Physics, Physics Institute, University of Berne; former recipient of the National Latsis Price (1993)
Keynote Address by Bernhard Pulver, president of the Bernese Cantonal Government
Keynote Address by Prof. Dieter Imboden, president of the National Research Council of the SNSF: Scientific Research, Scientific Innovation and the Role of Research Funders
List of Latsis Prize Winners since 1984 (German/ French)
The National Latsis Prize has been in existence since 1984. The prize is not open to public nomination; candidates are selected by the National Research Council of the SNSF.
25 Years National Latsis Prize
For the past 5 years, the Geneva Latsis Foundation has been making this award to young scientists for outstanding achievements. The December 2008 edition of the Swiss research magazine Horizonte is devoted to this anniversary:
Awarded (German / French)
Investment with risk (German / French)
The prize for research (German / French)