The National Prize of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) () was an award of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) given out in three different classes for scientific, artistic, and other meritorious achievement. With scientific achievements, it was often given to entire research groups rather than individual scientists. History The National Prize was awarded on 7 October, "Day of the Republic" () every year since 1949. It was given for "outstanding creative work in the fields of science and technology, important mathematical and scientific discoveries and technological inventions, the introduction of new working and production methods" and "outstanding works and achievements in the areas of art and literature." This coveted award could be given to East German citizens, groups, and even foreigners provided they made crucial contributions to socialist culture and science. The National Prize was awarded in three classes, with corresponding monetary awards for each class. First class was 100,000 marks, second class was 50,000 marks and third class was 25,000 marks. The medal is round, gold-plated, 26mm in diameter with a portrait of Goethe circled by the words "German Democratic Republic" () on the obverse side. On the reverse are the words "National Award" () circled by a pair of laurel wreaths. The ribbon bar consisted of the vertical bars consisting of the national colors of black, red and gold with a gold medal GDR state symbol attached to the center of the ribbon. The medal was worn on the upper right side of the chest. Notable recipients 1949: Heinrich Mann, Herbert Eulenberg, Fred Oelßner, Hermann Abendroth, Jürgen Kuczynski, Erich Engel, Friedrich Hund 1950: Hans Boegehold, Hugo Schrade, August Klemm, Hans Marchwitza, Eduard Maurer, Johannes Stroux 1951: Bertolt Brecht, Jurij Brězan, Cuno Hoffmeister, Anna Seghers, Andre Asriel, Erika Mann, Eduard Claudius 1952: Walter Arnold, Max Burghardt, Aenne Goldschmidt 1953: Eberhard Schmidt, Karl Max Schneider 1954: Friedrich Behrens, Max Burghardt, Eduard Maurer, Ehm Welk 1955: Ernst Bloch, Hans Marchwitza, Erwin Strittmatter, Ludwig Renn 1956: Theodor Brugsch, Fidelio F. Finke, Paula Hertwig 1957: Erich Engel Franz Fühmann, Friedrich Jung 1958: Bruno Apitz, Manfred von Ardenne 1959: Stefan Heym, Alfred Lemmnitz, Erwin Kramer, Walter Arnold, Kurt Barthel, Gret Palucca, Ludwig Deiters, Werner Bergmann, Anna Seghers, Robert Havemann, Will Lammert, Friedrich Eisenkolb, Wilhelm Unverzagt 1960: Karl Ewald Böhm, Werner Eggerath 1961: Helmut Baierl, Erich Brehm, Inge Keller, Ludwig Renn 1962: Edmund Collein 1963: Bruno Apitz, Horst Drinda, Gisela May, Werner Neumann 1964: