The Chica and Heinz Schaller Foundation is a charitable foundation in Heidelberg, Germany. Established by the scientists Chica Schaller and Heinz Schaller (co-founder of Biogen), its main objective is to support young scientists within the Heidelberg Science Community
With its 100,000≠prize money this yearly award is one of the highest awards for junior scientists in Germany. If more than one awardee is selected, each laureate receives the full sum.
Since 2012 the Foundation funds Schaller Junior Research groups at the University of Heidelberg and DKFZ. Initially five groups were funded for a period of five years with the possibility of a two-year extension.
In Fall 2017 four new group leaders were selected by the interdisciplinary committee.
Between 2002 and 2012 the Foundation Ralf Bartenschlager held the chair for Molecular Virology before being appointed full professor at the University of Heidelberg