In 2005 our esteemed colleague Konrad Thaler died; one of the last holders of a university chair allowing him to teach and study the faunistics, ecology, biogeography and taxonomy of the central European arachnid fauna. In order to help continue this direction of research, the council of the ‘Arachnologische Gesellschaft’ decided in that same year to honour his memory with a prize for young arachnologists, to be named after this worthy scientist and committed teacher.

The ‘Konrad Thaler Memorial Prize’ recognises excellent thesis work in all fields of arachnology (excluding mites). The prize is awarded every three years during the general meeting of the ‘Arachnologische Gesellschaft’ and includes:

• a certificate,
• a prize of up to € 3,000.

The judging panel comprises the council of the ‘Arachnologische Gesellschaft’, plus selected referees, and the winner(s) are chosen by a majority vote from the jury members. The prize can also be divided among multiple recipients. Should none of the entries received be judged worthy then the award will not be given.

The second call covers the period 03.01.2007 to 31.12.2009.
Any type of examination thesis (PhDs*, Diploma, Master, Batchelor or ‘Stattsexaminationen’) from any European university, or similar college of higher education, will be considered; the thesis should, however, be in German or English. Nominations can be made by the project supervisor, or they can come from the thesis authors themselves. Membership of the AraGes is not a prerequisite. Registration deadline in January 4, 2010.

The 2nd Konrad Thaler Memorial Prize of the ‘Arachnologische Gesellschaft’ will be awarded during the 5th general meeting, provisionally to be held in Berlin in autumn, 2010. The award recipient(s) are encouraged to present their prize-winning work in the form of a lecture during this meeting.