Fritz Studer AG invites graduates from European universities and technical colleges to submit research for the Fritz Studer Award 2026. The CHF 10,000 prize supports developments for the machine industry. The award focuses on machine tools, grinding processes, digital solutions and advanced manufacturing technologies. It is being presented for the eighth time. The award gives young researchers a platform for work developed through student projects, university assignments or dissertations. Studer manufactures standard machines and individual system solutions for cylindrical grinding of small and medium-sized workpieces.
Applicants must submit substantiated research results or partial results. They must also show a demonstrable route to implementation. Entries will be assessed on their scientific content, clarity and accuracy. The jury will also consider the novelty of each approach and its practical feasibility in machine industry applications.
Research topics from machine design to digital grinding support
The call covers technical subjects linked to the design, operation and development of machine tools. Applicants may submit work on innovative machine concepts and machine components. Alternative materials for machine construction are also eligible. Simulation models addressing the dynamic and thermal behaviour of machine tools are within scope. Such models help examine machine behaviour under changing operating conditions. Further topics include control systems, sensor technology and monitoring concepts. These fields support the collection and use of process information during machining. Digital solutions may focus specifically on supporting grinding processes.
Studer also welcomes research on new or enhanced manufacturing technologies. The call particularly highlights high-accuracy machining. Examples include grinding and hard turning. The competition is not limited to one machine architecture or grinding application. Instead, it addresses research that can improve machine performance, process monitoring and thermal behaviour. It also includes the practical use of digital tools in manufacturing. Substantiated findings are essential. Therefore, entries must offer more than an initial concept.
Feasibility and novelty guide the jury assessment
Participation is open to graduates from European universities and technical colleges. Their academic work must address scientific subjects or applied research. Research projects, college work and dissertations are eligible. Applicants must document results or partial results. The focus on feasibility highlights whether a research outcome can be transferred to a machine industry context.
A jury will select the winner or winners. Its members are Prof. em. Dr.-Ing. Dr. h.c. Konrad Wegener of inspire-iwf Machine Tools and Manufacturing at ETH Zurich, Fred Gaegauf from the Board of Directors of Fritz Studer AG, and Dr.-Ing. Frank Fiebelkorn, Head of Research and Development at Fritz Studer AG. The selected winner or winners will receive CHF 10,000, the Fritz Studer Award and a certificate. The award ceremony is scheduled for mid-February 2027. A previous award recognised Dr. Emil Sauter of the Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Machine Tools at ETH Zurich. His research addressed the detection and avoidance of thermal damage in high-performance metal grinding processes. It used hybrid machine learning models.
