Every year, the Association of Friends awards two doctoral prizes for the best dissertation from the BNITM in the natural sciences and medicine. After an Institute-wide call for entries, the applications are commented on by the heads of the departments or working groups concerned and forwarded to members of a Scientific Advisory Board of the Friends of the BNITM, who make the selection as an independent body. The prizes, each endowed with € 1,000, are presented to the winners in person at the general meeting of the Circle of Friends on the occasion of the annual summer festival.