Allianz Climate Risk Award

Launched in 2017, the Allianz Climate Risk Award celebrates scientists at the start of their career whose work sheds light on the nexus between climate change and extreme weather events. In 2025, we are adding a new category, the Allianz Trade Award, focusing on how climate risk is affecting global trade.

The Allianz Climate Risk Award is a global award open to PhD candidates and post-doctoral researchers whose research focuses on:

Understanding and mitigating the risk of extreme weather events that are intensified by climate change;
Fostering resilience by applying technological solutions.
10 applicants are shortlisted by a jury of experts from industry and academia and their work is published in a Compendium on Allianz Re’s website. Out of the 10 shortlisted applicants, the top 3 finalists are invited to Munich, Germany, to present their research project at the Allianz Climate Risk Award Event. The winners of the Allianz Climate Risk Award 2025 and the Allianz Trade Award will receive a monetary award of EUR 7.000. The other finalists will receive a monetary award of EUR 3.000 each.

Discover the Allianz Climate Risk Award

Special 2025: Allianz Trade Award

In 2025, Allianz Trade is joining the Allianz Climate Risk Award, expanding the scope with a new category to include research on the relation of Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events with Global Trade.

Whether your research focuses on better predictions of extreme weather events on trade routes, the overall resilience of trade networks to climate-related disruptions, or interdisciplinary collaboration between climate science and trade economics – the experts of Allianz Trade are keen to hear from you!

Application Process

Core of your application should be a brief (max. 800 words) non-technical essay that outlines your research idea and highlights central findings. Please refer to the Compendium 2024 to find some examples.

To submit your application, please send the filled out and signed forms as well as the required supporting documents, incl. essay, CV, reference letter, to [email protected]. We're looking forward to receiving your application and wish you good luck!

The finalists of the 2024 Climate Risk Award

Holger Tewes-Kampelmann, CEO Allianz Reinsurance, Supriya Krishnan, winner of the 2024 Allianz Climate Risk Award, Zélie Stalhandske, finalist, 2024 Allianz Climate Risk Award, Prof. Dr. Ralf Ludwig, Chair of Geography and Geographical Remote Sensing, LMU Munich

“Presenting my research at the Allianz Climate Risk Award was a very special experience. It’s a memory I will take with me!”

Supriya Krishnan, winner of the 2024 Allianz Climate Risk Award

Application Details

Timeline

Call for papers – July 1, 2025
Submission deadline – August 31, 2025
Announcement of the finalists – late September 2025
Award event – December 02, 2025

Selection criteria

Innovation: Research project is focused on a compelling approach for assessing risks of natural catastrophes and how new technologies can help mitigate these risks and foster resilient societies
Impact: Research project can make a difference on the current insurance practice and/or advance current practices around societal resilience
Applicability: Research project addresses a relevant problem and is ideally connected to a practical solution
Academic excellence: Sound research approach and methodology

Selection process

A jury of experts from industry and academia assesses the applications
Only applications with comprehensive submission documents sent to [email protected] by the required deadline can be considered for the Allianz Climate Risk Award
For the Allianz Climate Risk Award, 10 applicants are shortlisted by a jury of experts. Out of the 10 shortlisted applicants, the top 3 finalists are invited to Munich, Germany, to present their research project at the Allianz Climate Risk Award Event. A jury of experts will determine the winner.
For the Allianz Trade Award, the winner will be determined by an expert jury ahead of the event. The winner will be invited to present their research in Munich.

Submission requirements

University students currently pursuing either a PhD degree or a post-doc, as well as recent PhD graduates (Graduation/defense of final research to obtain title should not be more than two years before the time of the application)
Research applicable to focus and topic of the Allianz Climate Risk Award or the Allianz Trade Award

By submitting your application, you agree to attend the Allianz Climate Risk Award event in Munich, Germany, if you are selected as a finalist or the winner of the Allianz Trade Award and present your research project in person. Allianz is covering the travel costs. You also agree to participate in internal and external communication with regards to the Allianz Climate Risk Award and Allianz Trade Award (e.g., interview about your research project). Please refer to the Terms & Conditions of the Allianz Climate Risk Award and Allianz Trade Award for further information.

Submission documents include:

A non-technical essay on the research project
A letter of recommendation from the candidate's academic mentor
Filled and signed declaration form
Completed application form for either the Allianz Climate Risk Award or the Allianz Trade Award
CV

Supporting documents (PDFs)

Declaration

Frequently Asked Questions

Application Form for Allianz Climate Risk Award

Application Form for Allianz Trade Award

Terms and Conditions