The terms of the award are that it is "to be presented for outstanding contributions to physics ". The award goes to physicists based in Germany and in the UK or Ireland in alternate years. The prize is accompanied by a silver medal "about 6 cm in diameter and 0.5 cm thick. One face carries a profile of Max Born and his name and dates. The other face carries the equation pq – qp = h/2πi and the full names of IOP and DPG. The recipient's full name and year of award is engraved around the rim." The medal is accompanied by €3000.