2026 Henrik Enderlein Prize awarded to Olivier Schmitt

The international security expert was chosen for his sustained engagement bridging research and policymaking practice. Zachary Parolin received an honourable mention.

Berlin/Paris, 28 May 2026. Olivier Schmitt, international security scholar at the Institute for Military Operations at the Royal Danish Defence College, has been awarded the 2026 Franco-German Henrik Enderlein Prize. Now in its fifth year, the €10,000 research prize honours outstanding social scientists aged 40 or younger whose work contributes to the future of Europe.

The jury selected Schmitt as this year’s winner for his unique combination of rigorous research, practical engagement, and his thoroughly transnational perspective on one of the most pressing issues for the future of Europe. The jury also recognised Oxford Professor Zachary Parolin with an honourable mention for his outstanding contributions to the understanding of poverty, inequality and social mobility.

The Henrik Enderlein Prize was presented today in a joint ceremony hosted by the German Federal Foreign Office, in cooperation with the Hertie School, Sciences Po, and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The award commemorates the late President of the Hertie School, Henrik Enderlein, a passionate advocate of European integration.

Schmitt continues Enderlein’s legacy by informing public debate on European security

“Olivier Schmitt is an incredibly prolific scholar whose commitment to bringing research into public debate on European security clearly embodies Henrik Enderlein’s ideals. We are especially pleased to present him as the laureate of this year’s Henrik Enderlein Prize,” said Cornelia Woll, Professor of International Political Economy at the Hertie School and Chair of the Henrik Enderlein Prize Jury.

Gunther Krichbaum, Minister of State for European Affairs 

"In memory of Hendrik Enderlein’s European commitment, the Hendrik Enderlein Prize reflects the values of Franco-German cooperation in the service of a strong, resilient, and capable European Union. In times of great challenges, the commitment to our European and democratic values is more needed than ever. We honour Olivier Schmitt as a dedicated European whose research addresses the current challenges of our time and provides excellent impetus for a forward-looking and active European Union in times of geopolitical upheaval. It is our common duty to advance the security, freedom and prosperity of our continent."

Benjamin Haddad, French Minister Delegate for European Affairs

“In honouring the work of scholars such as Olivier Schmitt, the Henrik Enderlein Prize is an expression of France’s and Germany’s shared commitment to intellectual excellence, democratic dialogue and the strengthening of a more united and resilient Europe. At a time of profound uncertainty, research and critical thinking on security, defence and international cooperation are more essential than ever to renew and deepen the European public debate.” 

Luis Vassy, Director of Sciences Po

“I am particularly delighted that the Henrik Enderlein Prize has been awarded to a researcher whose work is considered the gold standard on the contemporary transformations of warfare – a highly topical subject, if ever there was one, and one that lies at the heart of the security challenges that Europe faces since the return of war to the continent. By helping us to better understand how alliances are formed, how norms shape strategic behaviour, and how democracies conceive and organise their defence, Olivier Schmitt equips us with the intellectual tools essential for responding with clarity to a world in which military power has regained its central role.”

Scholars contribute to policymaking on European security and inequality

Olivier Schmitt is Professor and Head of Research at the Institute for Military Operations at the Royal Danish Defence College. His work examines how states produce, sustain, and transform military power, with a particular focus on military adaptation, alliance politics, European security, and the security challenges posed by Russia. Combining theoretical innovation with extensive empirical research and direct engagement with policymakers, his scholarship has contributed significantly to debates on NATO, European defence, coalition warfare, and contemporary security threats.

Zachary Parolin is Professor of Social Policy, Inequality, and Opportunity at the University of Oxford, where he also directs the Economics, Inequality, and Opportunity Programme at INET Oxford and is Professorial Fellow at Nuffield College. His research combines innovative data infrastructures with policy-relevant analysis, shaping debates on poverty measurement, intergenerational mobility, labour market inequality, and welfare state reform across Europe and the United States. His work has informed the European Commission’s Anti-Poverty Strategy and Minimum Wage Directive, as well as major policy discussions in the United States, including the expansion of child benefits.

About the Henrik Enderlein Prize

The Henrik Enderlein Prize is worth €10,000 and is awarded to young social science researchers aged 40 or younger. The prize-winners' work demonstrates scientific excellence and makes a concrete contribution to public debates on the future of Europe. The Henrik Enderlein Prize is named in honour of the former president of the Hertie School and alumnus of Sciences Po, who was a fervent defender of Europe. The prize is awarded jointly by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the German Federal Foreign Office, and coordinated by the Hertie School in Berlin and Sciences Po in Paris. 

The members of the jury are: the Chair of the Jury, Professor of International Political Economy Cornelia Woll; Johanna Mair, Professor of Organisation, Strategy and Leadership at the Hertie School and Director of the Florence School of Transnational Governance (STG) at the European University Institute; Professor Thurid Hustedt, Professor of Public Administration and Management and Dean of Graduate Programmes at the Hertie School; Thierry Mayer, Professor of Economics at Sciences Po; Jakob Vogel, Professor of History at Sciences Po; Paul-André Rosental, Scientific Director at Sciences Po; Caroline Soder, Deputy Commissioner for Franco-German Cooperation at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Quentin Jalla, Deputy Commissioner for Franco-German Cooperation at the German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Anja Wehler-Schöck, Member of the Editorial Board at Tagesspiegel; and Elsa Conesa, German correspondent at Le Monde.