In 2025, the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities will honour technological excellence for the first time with the "Pioneer Award of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities". The prize is endowed with 300,000 euros and is made possible by the Ulrich L. Rohde Foundation.

The Pioneer Award of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities honors researchers for technological excellence that has also had a broad impact on society. At 300,000 euros, it is the most highly endowed prize for technical sciences in Germany. Donated by the Ulrich L. Rohde Foundation, it promotes the transfer of groundbreaking research into practice – for innovations that have a lasting impact on our lives.
The Pioneer Award of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities covers the following eight technology areas: Electronic Communications Technology, Telecommunications, Optical Communication Technology, Satellite Communications, Quantum Mechanics, Aerospace Engineering/Technology, Autonomous Systems Engineering and Medical Technology (focus: Imaging). The annual international calls for proposals are given a thematic focus on these areas. In 2025, the prize for information and communication technology will be awarded  with a focus on the following subject areas: Electronic Communication Technology, Telecommunications, Optical Communication Technology, Satellite Communication. By hosting the Pioneer Award of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities underlines the importance of science and research in the Bavarian and international context and sets accents on topics of scientific and social relevance.

The awarding of the Pioneer Award of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities is decided by a selection committee chaired by the President of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities. Criteria for the selection of the award winners are the quality of the scientific performance according to internationally established scientific criteria as well as the social relevance, compatibility and future orientation of the research results. The successful transfer into commercial products with a high social impact is also honored. On the basis of an international call for proposals, a "shortlist" is drawn up in a multi-stage process. On this basis, the selection committee submits a proposal for suitable candidates to the Executive Board of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities. The final decision on the awarding of the prize will be made by the Board of Directors of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities.