Klaus Johann Jacobs (3 December 1936 – 11 September 2008) was a German-born billionaire in the coffee and chocolate industry, with Swiss citizenship.

The Jacobs Foundation's goal is to contribute to Productive Youth Development by bringing together basic research, application and intervention projects and through dialogue and network building.

The prizes are given to honour outstanding achievements in research and practice that make a significant contribution to young people's success in life and development.

Additionally, research findings from the interdisciplinary projects thus honoured should be suited to active practical implementation.

The prize money for the award comes to one million Swiss Francs, which can be used for an academic project chosen by the recipient.