Every two years, the Berthold Leibinger Innovationspreis is presented to honor innovations in laser technology, irrespective of whether the innovation relates to a beam source or an application and whether it was developed by a research institution or is a product of industry.

Innovations are accepted for consideration as applications or nominations. Individuals or groups from all over the world are eligible for consideration. The application must include a description of the technology and its commercial aspects.

The jury selects a shortlist of eight finalists from among the applications and nominations. The finalists are invited to attend the jury meeting at the Berthold Leibinger Stiftung and present their work in person. An awards ceremony is held to honor the finalists and award winners.

The Berthold Leibinger Zukunftspreis is conferred for the achievement of outstanding milestones through scientific or industrial research relating to and using laser light. It is awarded every two years at the same awards ceremony as the Berthold Leibinger Innovationspreis.

Submissions for the Berthold Leibinger Zukunftspreis are by nomination only. Candidates may be nominated by former members of the jury, previous award winners, scientific organizations and professional associations from around the world that work in the field of laser technology or photonics.