The DGM Prize is awarded to an excellent mid-career scientist for outstanding scientific or scientific-technical achievements, that represent a breakthrough in materials science and engineering, documented by publications, or that have opened up a new field of research. The dissertation should generally date back at least 10 years and be excluded from the award.
The DGM Prize consists of a certificate stating that the prize has been awarded, specifying the special achievements marked by the prize, and a special sculpture appropriate to the significance of the prize. The DGM Prize is awarded a maximum of once a year. The awarding of the prize may be suspended if no research personality is recognized as worthy of the prize. A division of the prize is not permissible. The prize is awarded on the basis of a proposal by the Award Committee and a decision by the Board of Directors of the DGM. The award is announced publicly on the occasion of a central event of the DGM of the corresponding year (e.g. DGM Day). The announcement of the awarded prize is also made in the central presentation media of the DGM.