IU Innovation Award 2026: Apply now and shape the future of the real estate industry
Award for students from all universities in the field of housing and real estate management
Award for students of housing and real estate management. Application deadline is 15 May.
Hanover, 7 January 2026. This year, the IU Innovation Award will once again honour forward-looking ideas for the housing and real estate industry. The award is initiated by IU International University of Applied Sciences, Germany's largest university with over 130,000 students, in cooperation with the meravis real estate group, which is providing the prize money totalling €5,000. Students from all universities are invited to submit their final theses.
Creative solutions sought for an industry in transition
The real estate industry is facing a complex polycrisis in the face of climate change, the energy crisis, regulatory consolidation, volatile markets and social change. Traditional approaches are becoming less and less effective. Sustainable solutions emerge where sustainability, digitalisation, social innovation and new business models are consistently considered together.
The goal of climate neutrality by 2045 reinforces this pressure for transformation. Holistic concepts are needed – from decarbonisation and energy-efficient renovation of existing buildings to intelligent energy and neighbourhood solutions to digital service and platform models that combine ecological responsibility, social impact and economic viability.
The award focuses on the students' wealth of ideas and creative drive and shows the contribution that young talent can make to the sustainable, digital and resilient development of the real estate industry.
Platform for thought leaders
The IU Innovation Award recognises outstanding theses that impress with creative problem-solving and a strong connection between theory and practice. The evaluation focuses in particular on theses that focus on sustainability, digitalisation, social innovation and new business models.
The award ceremony will take place on 10 June at Real Estate Arena 2026 in Hanover, one of the industry's most important real estate trade fairs and future conferences. This gives the winners an ideal platform to present their concepts to leading experts and make important contacts for their professional future.
Apply now!
Students of the housing and real estate industry who completed their bachelor's or master's thesis with a grade of 1.7 or better in the past year are cordially invited to apply by 15 May 2026.
All information about the application and the prizes is available at:
https://www.iu.de/lp/iu-innovationspreis/
All information about the 2025 winners:
https://www.iu.de/news/en/iu-innovation-award-2025-these-are-the-winners/
Florian Ebrecht, professor at IU, COO/CFO at meravis real estate group and initiator of the innovation award, emphasises:
“Last year's submissions already showed how diverse and relevant our students' research in Germany is and how much we need new approaches and food for thought. We are very excited about this year's submissions.”
ABOUT THE MERAVIS REAL ESTATE GROUP
The meravis Real Estate Group is a nationwide real estate service provider based in Hanover and Hamburg. For over 75 years, it has managed approximately 12,650 of its own residential and commercial units and has developed over 23,500 residential units. Its portfolio includes residential buildings, student apartments, hotels, retirement homes, and commercial properties. The company, with approximately 220 employees, is managed by Matthias Herter and Prof. Dr. Florian Ebrecht. Its future goals include sustainable, digital residential neighbourhoods, including through its own PropTech platform Spiri, as well as through initiatives in New Work, sustainability, and digitalisation.
With nearly 130,000 students, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is the largest university in Germany. The private, state-recognised educational institution, based in Erfurt, began teaching in 2000 and now has 37 campuses. IU stands for maximum flexibility in study: whether through dual study, distance learning or on campus – students from over 160 nations tailor their educational path to suit their individual circumstances. With more than 200 degree programmes at bachelor’s, master’s and MBA level, IU imparts practical skills. Innovative learning concepts foster targeted, future-proof skills for an increasingly AI-driven world of work. A modern, digitally supported learning environment and the use of artificial intelligence enable effective, personalised learning. As a pioneer in this field, IU has developed its own digital learning companion, ‘Syntea’, which has been in use since 2023. A network of over 15,000 companies – including Motel One, Vodafone, AWO and Deutsche Bahn – makes IU a strong partner in the training of skilled workers and consistently links academic teaching with practical experience. Further information at: iu.org
Contact
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IU International University of Applied Sciences Press Department |