Dr. Walter Kölle, born in 1936, was the first scientist to be granted the expert group award of the Water Chemistry Society in 1971. Until 1996, he was the head of the Institute for Water Research at the Hanover water works and authored about 100 technical publications. In December 2010, Dr. Walter Kölle set up a foundation at the German Chemical Society (GDCh) to support young scientists in water chemistry. The purpose of the foundation is to promote scientific work in the field of water chemistry and to reward outstanding results obtained by young scientists in this field.
Award of the Water Chemistry Society – sponsored by the Walter-Kölle-Stiftung
This award of the Water Chemistry Society was first introduced in 1970 with the aim to support young researchers. Bearing the designation “Expert group award” until 2010, the award was renamed «Award of the Water Chemistry Society – sponsored by the Walter-Kölle-Stiftung» in the context of setting up the foundation in 2010. Endowed with EUR 3,000.00, the award is presented as part of the annual Water Conference for special scientific accomplishments achieved in a field represented by the Water Chemistry Society.
Doctoral thesis award in the field of water chemistry – sponsored by the Walter-Kölle-Stiftung
The “Doctoral thesis award” is also sponsored by the Walter-Kölle-Stiftung. It is granted for outstanding doctoral theses in the scientific fields represented in the specialist group which had received the total grade of “very good” or better. Endowed with EUR 1,500.00, the award is presented during the annual Water Conference.
To date, numerous young scientists have been granted this award for their excellent work: