Climate change continues to reshape economies, societies, and ecosystems around the world, making innovative research on climate resilience more important than ever. To recognize and promote groundbreaking scientific research in this field, Allianz Re has officially launched applications for the Allianz Climate Risk Award 2026.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Allianz Climate Risk Award continues its mission of connecting emerging climate scientists with the global insurance industry, helping translate scientific discoveries into practical solutions that strengthen resilience against climate-related risks.

Researchers whose work focuses on climate change, extreme weather events, technological innovation, and resilience are encouraged to apply for this prestigious international award.

Application Deadline

Deadline: Applications should be submitted before the official closing date specified by Allianz for the 2026 Award cycle. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible.

About the Allianz Climate Risk Award

Established in 2017, the Allianz Climate Risk Award is Allianz Re’s flagship annual scientific award dedicated to supporting early-career researchers investigating climate-related risks.

The award recognizes outstanding scientific work that helps answer important questions such as:

• How is climate change intensifying extreme weather events?
• How can societies better prepare for future climate risks?
• Which innovative technologies can improve resilience?
• How can scientific research help governments, insurers, businesses, and communities reduce disaster risks?

The award serves as an important bridge between academic research and practical implementation by connecting promising researchers with experts from the insurance and risk management sectors.

Celebrating 10 Years of Climate Research Excellence

The 2026 edition marks a major milestone—the 10th anniversary of the Allianz Climate Risk Award.

Over the past decade, the programme has supported numerous young researchers whose work has contributed significantly to improving understanding of climate risks and resilience worldwide.

To expand its impact, the programme now operates across three award tracks:

1. Global Award
2. Thematic Spotlight: Allianz Trade
3. Regional Spotlight: Asia (new for 2026)

These tracks allow the programme to recognize excellence across different geographical and thematic areas while maintaining its commitment to advancing climate science.

Research Areas Supported

Applicants should be conducting research related to one or both of the following areas:

1. Understanding and Mitigating Climate Risks

Research that investigates:

• Climate change impacts
• Extreme weather events
• Floods
• Droughts
• Hurricanes
• Heatwaves
• Wildfires
• Climate modelling
• Disaster risk reduction
• Adaptation strategies
• Risk assessment

2. Building Climate Resilience Through Technology

Research involving:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Remote sensing
• Climate modelling technologies
• Early warning systems
• Digital resilience tools
• Predictive analytics
• Climate data science
• Infrastructure resilience
• Nature-based technological solutions
• Innovative adaptation technologies

Projects that combine scientific excellence with practical application are especially encouraged.

Who Can Apply?

The Allianz Climate Risk Award welcomes applications from:

• PhD candidates
• Postdoctoral researchers

Applicants should be conducting research focused on climate risks, climate adaptation, resilience, or technological innovations that address climate-related challenges.

The programme is international, welcoming applications from researchers around the world.

Why Apply?

Successful applicants gain numerous professional advantages, including:

• International recognition
• Visibility within the global scientific community
• Exposure to leading experts in insurance and climate risk
• Networking opportunities
• Career advancement
• Opportunity to showcase innovative research
• Stronger connections between academia and industry
• Contribution to global climate resilience efforts

Application Requirements

Applicants must prepare several documents as part of their submission.

These include:

• Completed application forms
• Signed documentation
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Reference letter
• Supporting documents
• Non-technical research essay

Non-Technical Research Essay

The central part of the application is a concise non-technical essay.

Requirements include:

• Maximum 800 words
• Clearly explain your research
• Describe your research objectives
• Highlight key findings
• Explain the real-world significance of your work
• Use language understandable to non-specialists

Applicants are encouraged to review previous winning essays published in earlier Allianz Climate Risk Award Compendiums for inspiration.

Previous Award Compendiums

Applicants can explore previous award-winning research through Allianz’s published compendiums, including:

• Pathways to Resilience: Mitigation and Adaptation in a Changing Climate (2024)
• Resilience in Action (2023)
• The Era of Resilience (2022)
• Confronting Climate Change (2021)
• A Glimpse of Tomorrow (2020)
• The End of Normal (2019)
• Weathering the Storms (2018)
• The Allianz Climate Risk Research Award (2017)

These publications showcase high-quality research and offer valuable guidance for prospective applicants.

How to Apply

Interested researchers should submit the following by email:

• Completed application forms
• Signed documents
• Non-technical essay
• CV
• Reference letter
• Required supporting documents

Applications should be sent to:

climaterisk-award@allianz.com

Applicants should carefully review the official application guidelines before submitting.

Why This Award Matters

Climate change remains one of the defining global challenges of the 21st century. Scientific research plays a critical role in helping governments, insurers, businesses, and communities better understand and respond to increasing climate risks.

The Allianz Climate Risk Award recognizes researchers who are developing innovative knowledge and practical solutions capable of improving resilience against increasingly frequent and severe weather events.

For early-career scientists, it offers an exceptional platform to gain international recognition, engage with leading experts, and contribute to shaping a more resilient future.

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