NEWS The Vice-Chancellor has decided to establish a scientific prize and scholarships in memory of Professor Dieter K. Müller, who passed away unexpectedly in November 2025. Through this initiative, Umeå University wishes to recognise his outstanding contributions as a researcher and academic leader, and his significant impact on the University’s activities and development.
University Director Hans Wiklund is the initiator of the scientific prize and the scholarships. He worked together with Dieter Müller during the period when Müller was Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research.
Hans Wiklund, University director at Umeå University.
ImageMattias Pettersson“I cannot think of a better colleague or representative of Umeå University. It truly feels right to honour his memory with a scientific prize and scholarships for international student exchange. I would also like to extend my warm thanks to the funders who have made this possible,” says University Director Hans Wiklund.
The scientific prize aims to recognise individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development, communication or application of scientific knowledge with a clear societal impact. Particular importance is attached to efforts that contribute to sustainable development and strengthen trust in science-based knowledge.
The prize amount is SEK 100,000 and is intended to be awarded annually in connection with the University’s academic ceremony. A lecture by the prize winner will also be organised in conjunction with the award ceremony.
The scholarships are aimed at students participating in international exchanges, both outgoing students from Umeå University and international students coming to the University. The purpose is to recognise motivated and talented students and to strengthen international mobility.
The funding of the prize and the scholarships is provided through an agreement between Umeå University, Skellefteå Municipality, Örnsköldsvik Municipality and Umeå Kommunföretag AB.
A prize committee with representatives from the funders and the University will appoint the prize winner, while scholarship recipients are appointed by the University in accordance with established criteria. Umeå University’s representatives on the prize committee are University Director Hans Wiklund and Deputy Dean Xavier de Luna, Faculty of Social Sciences.