Andreas Tünnermann receives Fraunhofer Coin

Jena/ München/ 16. Dezember 2025 

The Fraunhofer Society honors Andreas Tünnermann, Director of Fraunhofer IOF and the Institute of Applied Physics at the University of Jena, with the Fraunhofer Coin. The award was presented by Fraunhofer President Holger Hanselka at the annual meeting of the Fraunhofer Society's institute directors in Munich. It honors the Jena-based institute director for his outstanding services to the Fraunhofer Society.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Tünnermann, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF and the Institute of Applied Physics at Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, was awarded the Fraunhofer Coin during the annual meeting of the directors of the Fraunhofer Society in Munich. Fraunhofer president Prof. Dr. Holger Hanselka presented the award during a ceremony at the conference.

For Andreas Tünnermann, receiving the Fraunhofer Coin is a special honor: "I would like to thank the Fraunhofer Society for this extraordinary recognition. It stands for excellent contributions in research, networking, and transfer. This is only possible as a team, and I would like to express my sincere thanks to my colleagues for their trust and cooperation."

The Fraunhofer Coin honors Tünnermann for his outstanding services to the Fraunhofer Society, in particular for his many years of commitment to networking research, industry, and academia. His roles as Chairman of the Main Commission of the Scientific and Technical Council and his many years as Chairman of the Light & Surfaces Group were highlighted. In these roles, he initiated and helped shape numerous initiatives and strategic processes, thereby making a decisive contribution to securing the future viability of organization and research within the Fraunhofer Society in challenging times.

Distinguished scientist and driver of innovation

In 1998, Andreas Tünnermann took up a professorship in applied physics and the directorship of the Institute of Applied Physics at Friedrich Schiller University in Jena. In 2003, he became director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF. Under his leadership, numerous projects were launched with a clear focus on specific applications in medicine, communications, and industry. Tünnermann has thus had a significant impact on Jena as a center of research and technology and has raised the profile of photonics as a key technology far beyond the region.

He was awarded the Fraunhofer Medal in 2022, followed by the Federal Cross of Merit in 2024. With the award of the Fraunhofer Coin, the Fraunhofer Society is once again honoring a personality who has been combining applied research, scientific excellence, and innovative strength in a special way for many years.