K.J. Bathe Award in computational science and engineering
The K.J. Bathe Award was re-established at the University of Cambridge in 2026 in honour of Prof Klaus-Jürgen Bathe, one of the pioneers of finite element analysis with many research and industrial contributions to the analysis of solids and structures, heat transfer, field problems, computational fluid dynamics, and fluid-structure interactions. This endowed award is administered by the Churchill College and the Digital Civil Engineering group at the University’s Department of Engineering. In addition to the honour itself, the award carries a substantial financial component, reinforcing its standing as a major distinction in the field.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the K.J. Bathe Award is to provide a continuing focus for excellence in computational science and engineering. It is awarded to an accomplished researcher who has made outstanding contributions to the development of finite element methods and, more broadly, computational science and engineering, and who is expected to continually make influential contributions.
RULES
Eligibility:
Nominees should demonstrate a sustained period of research with significant outcomes over multiple decades. Computation-related contributions in any engineering discipline or professional context are eligible for this award without restriction. There are no restrictions on age, gender, or race, but the emphasis is on the awardee having strong potential for continued influential contributions. The awardee should be of good professional standing, for example, with no forced paper withdrawal.
No more than one presentation of the award will be made in any round, unless the achievement upon which the award is based is the joint work of more than one individual. The award is open to living researchers worldwide. No individual may receive the award, or a portion thereof, more than once.
Nomination:
The University of Cambridge publishes and disseminates a call for nominations on 1 April in the year of the award, inviting potential nominators to submit nominations. They can be submitted by any established researcher holding a tenured position or equivalent; however, self-nominations are not permitted. To be considered, nominations should be complete and received on or before 1 June.
A complete nomination shall include:
- A cover letter, signed by the person making the nomination
- The nominee’s CV or biographical information
- Three letters of recommendation
Review:
Each time nominations are solicited, the University of Cambridge shall appoint an Award Panel. The panel consist of seven eminent senior researchers, no more than three of whom are from the University of Cambridge. The nominee submissions are reviewed by the Award Panel, which may seek assessments from external reviewers in selecting the recipient. The deliberations of the Award Panel are confidential, and its decision is final.
Award:
In October, the successful nominee will be invited to give the K.J. Bathe Public Lecture at the University of Cambridge and to receive the award at the conclusion of the lecture. The award comprises a plaque and a cheque for £50,000. Travel and accommodation costs for the successful nominee will be reimbursed. The public lecture will be open to all and widely publicised. The lecture will be followed by a dinner attended by the awardee, members of the Award Panel, and invited guests.