The BMW Group Scientific Award 2005 - Under the Theme 'Passion for Innovation' BMW Group Promotes Young Science Talent with Total Prize Money of 70,000 Euros

MUNICH, Germany and LOS ANGELES, July 28 -- The BMW Group is calling upon college graduates and young scientists worldwide to apply for the 8th international BMW Group Scientific Award 2005. The objective is to promote groundbreaking ideas and outstanding talent. With prize money totaling EUR 70,000 the BMW Group Scientific Award is one of the highest-paid young researchers' prizes in the world. Young academics from all areas of science can submit a summary of their bachelor's dissertation, master's or doctoral thesis via their professors. Applications must be received by January 7, 2005.

Under the motto "Passion for Innovation," the BMW Group Scientific Award 2005 addresses young scientists who want to shape the future with their trailblazing ideas and passionate curiosity. The work submitted will have to be completed between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2004. An international jury of thirteen representatives from science and business -- including two US professors -- will evaluate the entered papers based on their innovation potential, realistic chances for implementation, benefit for the environment and society as well as efficiency. The authors of the best scientific papers and their professors will be awarded at the prize-giving ceremony in September 2005.

"The spirit of invention and scientific curiosity needs to be fostered more than ever before," explains Prof. Dr. Burkhard Goschel, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG and patron of the BMW Group Scientific Award 2005. "Only those who can produce new features and products will be able to hold their ground in global competition."

With this award, the BMW Group is also creating an interdisciplinary worldwide network: prize-winners and their professors meet at alumni meetings and come into contact with kindred spirits as well as representatives from the world of science and business. In addition, the BMW Group intensifies its dialogue with universities and colleges and thus creates a basis on which experiences can be exchanged between business, science and society.

The BMW Group Scientific Award has been granted every two years since 1991 receiving an overwhelming response. There have been 39 prize-winners thus far.

Detailed Information including the application documents for the BMW Group Scientific Award 2005 is available at http://www.bmwgroup.com/scientific-award .

BMW Group In America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. ROLLS-ROYCE Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand, the MINI brand, and the ROLLS-ROYCE brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 Roadster and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 340 BMW passenger car centers, 327 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 148 BMW motorcycle retailers, 76 MINI passenger car dealers, and 25 ROLLS-ROYCE Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at:

   
http://www.bmwusa.com/
   http://www.bmwmotorradusa.com/
   http://www.miniusa.com/
   http://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Information about the BMW Group and its products is available to journalists on-line at the BMW Group PressClub at the following address: http://www.press.bmwgroup.com.