Houska Prize

Austria's largest private award for applied research

Houskapreis

Houska Prize 2027

Submissions open from 1 Sep. until 28 Oct. 2026

B&C Private Foundation’s Houska Prize

Established in 2005, the B&C Private Foundation’s Houska Prize was created to strengthen the financial foundation of innovation and research in Austria and to express the Foundation’s appreciation for the outstanding research conducted in the country.

With a total endowment of EUR 760,000, the Houska Prize is Austria’s largest privately awarded prize for application-oriented research. Alongside innovative performance, economic impact is a key criterion in the selection process. In this way, the B&C Private Foundation pursues its purpose of fostering Austrian entrepreneurship and strengthening Austria as a business location.

Call for Entries: The Houska Prize 2027

The Houska Prize enters its 22nd edition: Starting 1 September 2026, research projects can be submitted for the Houska Prize 2027. With total prize money of EUR 760,000, the Houska Prize is Austria's largest privately funded award for applied research. The B&C Private Foundation will once again present the prestigious Houska Prize trophy in three categories: University Research, Non-University Research, and Research & Development in SMEs.

Submissions are open from 1 September and 28 October 2026.

From all eligible submissions, three projects in each category are selected through a two-stage evaluation process by expert advisory boards and an internationally renowned jury comprising leading experts from academia and industry. The B&C Private Foundation awards EUR 150,000 for first place, EUR 70,000 for second place and EUR 30,000 for third place in each category. First-place winners also receive the golden Houska Prize trophy.

In addition, a student jury selects the winner of the Mariella Schurz Prize, endowed with EUR 10,000.

Call for Entries - Guidelines

Here you will find all documents for submission

Call Documents
Questions & Answers
Online submission guidelines

The Houska Prize ist awarded in three categories

These categories reflect the diversity of Austria’s research landscape, which combines scientific excellence with economic impact.

University Research category

In this category, the project is close to economic implementation (with clear potential) or already implemented, and it is based on top-level scientific research at the international state of the art.

Non-University Research category

In the category Non-University Research, the project has already been successfully implemented in practice. It is based on high-quality, science-based research at the state of the art.

Research&Development in SMEs category

In the category Research & Development in SMEs,  the project has already been economically implemented and completed, and is based on high-quality, state-of-the-art research.

Prize Money

The Houska Prize 2027 is endowed with a total of EUR 760,000.

Per category:
1st Prize EUR 150,000
2nd Prize EUR 70,000
3rd Prize EUR 30,000
Across all categories:
Mariella Schurz Prize EUR 10,000

The prize money should be used for further research.

Three research projects are nominated in each category. Their final ranking is announced at the Houska Prize award ceremony. Prize money is awarded exclusively to the respective institution, not to individuals. Where Austrian withholding tax (KESt) applies, it will be withheld and remitted by the B&C Private Foundation to the tax authorities. Beyond the payment of the prize money, winners are not entitled to any further benefits or beneficiary rights from the B&C Private Foundation.

01.09.
2026
Beginning of submission period for the Houska Prize 2027
28.10.
2026
End of submission period for the Houska Prize 2027
19.02.
2027
Completion of project evaluations by advisory boards and jury
01.03.
2026
Announcement of nominees for the Houska Prize 2027
20.04.
2027
Award Ceremony for the Houska Prize 2027

The nominees for the Houska Prize have been announced

External expert advisory boards and an internationally recognized jury evaluated the submitted research projects in a two-stage review process. The nominated projects span a broad spectrum of research, ranging from medical and biotechnology to materials, sensor and energy research, as well as AI-based applications, digital platforms, and space technologies.

All submissions share a strong application focus and demonstrate significant economic relevance for Austria as a hub of innovation. Regardless of the final ranking, all nominated projects are guaranteed a Houska Prize placement.

The B&C Private Foundation awards a total of EUR 760,000 in prize money. The first-place winners in each category receive EUR 150,000 and the golden Houska Prize trophy, while the second-place winners receive EUR 70,000 each and the third-place winners EUR 30,000 each. The festive award ceremony will take place on April 21, 2026, in Vienna.

In addition, in cooperation with the Sir Karl Popper School in Vienna, the Mariella Schurz Prize is awarded, in which students evaluate the nominated projects from their own perspective. This prize is endowed with EUR 10,000 and includes a specially designed Houska Prize trophy.

 

These are the Winners of 2026

The B&C Private Foundation honored the winners with the Houska Prize at the award ceremony on 21 April 2026.

University Research category

Project lead

TU Wien, Institute of Materials Science and Technology - Assoc. Prof. DI Dr. Helmut Riedl-Tragenreif; Dr.-Ing. Peter Polcik (Plansee); DI Klaus Böbel (Oerlikon)

Project

1st Prize: The Hotter, the Better – Micrometer-Thin Layers for Maximum Performance

Project lead

Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) - Assist. Prof. Sasha Mendjan, PhD

Project

2nd Prize: Human-Based Heart Models Reshaping Pharmaceutical Research

Project lead

Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering - DDr.in Gunpreet Coudert Oberoi, PhD, MS, BDS; Hofrat Ing. Ewald Unger

Project

3rd Prize & Mariella Schurz Prize: Smart Versatile Auto-Stop Navigation Drilling Platform (SVAN)

Non-University Research category

Project lead

AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Center for Energy - Dr. Bharath Varsh Rao, B.Eng. M.Sc.

Project

1st Prize: Voltera – AI-Powered Grid Management for Secure, Flexible Energy

Project lead

Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Institute for Sensors, Photonics and Manufacturing Technologies - DI Andreas Tschepp; Mag. Dr. Martin Zirkl; Mag. Gregor Scheipl; Mag.a Dr.in Barbara Stadlober

Project

2nd Prize: PyzoFlex – Sensor Technology of the Future

Project lead

AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Center for Technology Experience - Jakob Carl Uhl, MSc; Co-Lead: DI Helmut Schrom-Feiertag; Mag. Markus Murtinger

Project

3rd Prize: Green Manikin– AI-Supported Mixed Reality First Aid Training

Research&Development in SMEs category

Project lead

sendance GmbH - Dr. Robert Koeppe; Dr.in Daniela Wirthl; DI Thomas Stockinger, BSc; DIin Vera Pamminger, BSc

Project

1st Prize: sendance Platform

Project lead

AT Space GmbH - DI Michael Kitzmantel; DI Dr. Erich Neubauer; Ing. Emanuel Feuerstein

Project

2nd Prize: AstroLink

Project lead

Ocean Maps GmbH - DI Dr. Thomas Nemetz; Klemens Svetitsch, BSc, MA

Project

3rd Prize: Ocean Maps – Digital Twin

Presse & News

Houska Prize Contact

E: houskapreis@bcprivatstiftung.at | T: +43 1 53101-0

Emina Dovedan

Emina Dovedan

Doris Mayr

Doris Mayr

Things are moving at B&C. Get the latest on our initiatives straight to your inbox. The content ist only available in German.

Registration

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B&C Private Foundation Houska Prize

Established in 2005, the B&C Private Foundation’s Houska Prize was set up to promote commercially relevant research and innovation in Austria. By awarding the prize, B&C’s goal is to help strengthen Austria as a business location and express its appreciation for the outstanding research work that is carried out in the country. Innovation performance and economic impact are key criteria in the selection process. With a total prize fund of EUR 760,000, the Houska Prize distributes more prize money than any other privately-financed awards for application-driven research in Austria.

Visual Houskapreis 2024

TU Wien, AIT and sendance win Houska Prize 2026

Helmut Riedl-Tragenreif and his team from TU Wien received the award in the University Research category for their work on micrometer-thin high-temperature coatings that make turbine components more resistant and extend their service life. In the Non-University Research category, Bharath Varsh Rao and his team from the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) impressed the jury with Voltera, an AI-supported solution for the precise assessment and real-time control of low-voltage grids. In the Research & Development in SMEs category, sendance, a company based in Linz, Upper Austria, and led by Robert Koeppe, was honored for its platform enabling data-driven, precise customization of orthopedic aids, thereby improving patient care. The first-place winners each receive prize money of EUR 150,000. Congratulations!

Review

Submission for the Houska Prize 2026 closed

-The submission deadline for the Houska Prize 2026 was October 28, 2025, at midnight. The submission phase is now closed, and the Houska Prize enters its next stage. Expert advisory boards and an internationally renowned jury with expertise in business and science will now evaluate the submitted research projects.

In a two-stage process, the nominees in the three categories University Research, Non-University Research, and Research & Development in SMEs will be selected from all submissions. The nominees will be announced in early February 2026.

Expert Committees

The B&C Private Foundation awards a total of EUR 760,000 in prize money. The first-place winners in each category receive EUR 150,000 and the golden Houska Prize trophy, while the second-place winners receive EUR 70,000 each and the third-place winners EUR 30,000 each. The festive award ceremony will take place on April 21, 2026, in Vienna.

In addition, in cooperation with the Sir Karl Popper School in Vienna, the Mariella Schurz Prize is awarded, in which students evaluate the nominated projects from their own perspective. This prize is endowed with EUR 10,000 and includes a specially designed Houska Prize trophy.

 

Submission for the Houska Prize 2027 closed

The submission deadline for the Houska Prize 2027 was October 28, 2026, at midnight. The submission phase is now closed, and the Houska Prize enters its next stage. Expert advisory boards and an internationally renowned jury with expertise in business and science will now evaluate the submitted research projects.

In a two-stage process, the nominees in the three categories University Research, Non-University Research, and Research & Development in SMEs will be selected from all submissions. The nominees will be announced in early March 2027.

Expert Committees

The B&C Private Foundation awards a total of EUR 760,000 in prize money. The first-place winners in each category receive EUR 150,000 and the golden Houska Prize trophy, while the second-place winners receive EUR 70,000 each and the third-place winners EUR 30,000 each. The festive award ceremony will take place on April 20, 2027, in Vienna.

In addition the Mariella Schurz Prize is awarded, in which students evaluate the nominated projects from their own perspective. This prize is endowed with EUR 10,000 and includes a specially designed Houska Prize trophy.

 

Call for Entries - Guidelines

Here you will find all documents for submission

Call Documents
Questions & Answers
Online submission guidelines

Call for Entries: The Houska Prize 2026

The Houska Prize enters its 21st round: Until 28 October 2025, projects can be submitted for Austria’s largest privately funded research award.

Once again, the B&C Private Foundation will present the prize, endowed with a total of EUR 760,000, in three categories: Higher Education Research, Non-University Research, and Research & Development in SMEs.

Submit here

From all submissions, three projects per category will be nominated through a two-stage selection process conducted by expert advisory boards and an internationally renowned jury with outstanding expertise in business and science.

Each first-place winner will receive EUR 150,000 and a golden Houska Prize trophy, and will be honored at the award ceremony on 21 April 2026, together with the second- and third-place winners. In addition, a student jury will present the Mariella Schurz Prize, endowed with EUR 10,000.

Call for Entries - Guidelines

Here you will find all documents for submission

Call Documents
Questions & Answers
Online submission guidelines

Take part in our online information session:

Wednesday, 1 October 2025, 2:00 p.m.
Registration at houskapreis@bcprivatstiftung.at

Ranking Houska Prize 2025

The winners were awarded on 9 April 2025.

University Research category

Alphabetical order by university/institute

Non-University Research category

Alphabetical order by institution

Research&Development in SMEs category

Alphabetical order by SME

Mariella Schurz Prize

The Mariella Schurz Prize will be awarded for the second time as part of the Houska Prize, in honor of the late Secretary General of the B&C Private Foundation. All nominated projects will be evaluated by a high school class, which acts as the jury. The winner of the Mariella Schurz Prize 2025 will be selected by students of the HTL Braunau. In addition to the specially designed Houska Prize statue, the award also includes a prize valued at 10,000 euros.

Two-step selection process - offline

The three categories of Higher Education Research, Non-University Research and Research & Development in SMEs are evaluated independently of one another. Submissions are evaluated by a carefully selected advisory panel and subsequently by a judging panel of internationally respected experts. The advisory panel engages external experts to assist with the evaluation of submissions and ensure a robust process. It proposes an initial ranking, which is provided to the judging panel, who make the final decisions. The judging panel selects five finalists in each category. The 2025 Houska Prize winners will be announced at the awards ceremony held on 9 April 2025.

2025 Houska Prize

The Houska Prize enters its 20th round: established in 2005, the B&C Private Foundation’s Houska Prize was set up to promote business-related research and innovation. By awarding the prize, B&C’s goal is to help strengthen Austria as a business location while expressing its appreciation for the outstanding research work carried out in the country. Innovation performance and economic impact are key criteria in the selection process. With a total endowment of EUR 760,000 shared between the winners, the Houska Prize is Austria’s largest privatly-awarded prize for application-driven research. The Mariella Schurz Prize, endowed with EUR 10,000, will also be awarded as part of the Houska Prize.

15 projects nominated for the 2025 Houska Prize

The projects entered in three categories were evaluated in a two-phase process by the members of a high-level advisory committee and an internationally respected expert jury. Out of 52 submissions the best 15 projects - five projects each in the categories "University Research", "Non-University Research" and "Research & Development in SMEs" - were selected for the final. The expert jury finally decides who has a chance to win the 2025 Houska Prize with a total endowment of 760,000 euros. The award ceremony will take place on 9 April 2025.

2025 Houska Prize

The Houska Prize enters its 20th round: established in 2005, the B&C Private Foundation’s Houska Prize was set up to promote business-related research and innovation. By awarding the prize, B&C’s goal is to help strengthen Austria as a business location while expressing its appreciation for the outstanding research work carried out in the country. Innovation performance and economic impact are key criteria in the selection process. With a total endowment of EUR 760,000 shared between the winners, the Houska Prize is Austria’s largest privatly-awarded prize for application-driven research. The Mariella Schurz Prize, endowed with EUR 10,000, will also be awarded as part of the Houska Prize.

Submissions now closed

The deadline for submissions for the 2025 Houska Prize was 31 October 2024. The submitted research projects will now be evaluated in a two-step process by high-profile advisory boards and an internationally recognized expert jury. The five nominees per category will be announced by February 2025. The award ceremony will take place in Vienna on 9 April 2025.

Thank you for the numerous submissions!

If you have any questions, please contact 
B&C Private Foundation | Doris Mayr | T: +43 (0)1 531 01-502 | E: d.mayr@privat-stiftungen.at

 

2025 Houska Prize

The Houska Prize enters its 20th roundEstablished in 2005, the B&C Private Foundation’s Houska Prize was set up to promote business-related research and innovation. By awarding the prize, B&C’s goal is to help strengthen Austria as a business location while expressing its appreciation for the outstanding research work carried out in the country. In addition to the innovation performance, the economic effect is an essential criterion in the awarding of the Houska Prize. With a total endowment of EUR 760,000 shared between the winners, the Houska Prize is Austria’s largest privatly-awarded prize for application-driven research.

2025 Houska Prize: open for submissions

Austria's "Research Oscar" enters its 20th round: The 2025 Houska Prize will once again be awarded in the three categories "University Research", "Non-University Research" and "Research & Development in SMEs". In addition to innovation, the economic impact is a key criterion for the Houska Prize. Besides, the Mariella Schurz Prize, endowed with EUR 10,000, will also be awarded as part of the Houska Prize. Submissions for the 2025 Houska Prize can be made online between 1 September 2024 and 31 October 2024. Please note that the submission form is available in German only.

Submit here

If you have any questions, please contact 
B&C Private Foundation | Doris Mayr | T: +43 (0)1 531 01-502 | E: d.mayr@privat-stiftungen.at
Here are guidlines for creating and processing online submissions. 

 

2024 Houska Prize

Established in 2005, the B&C Private Foundation’s Houska Prize was set up to promote commercially relevant research and innovation in Austria. By awarding the prize, B&C’s goal is to help strengthen Austria as a business location and express its appreciation for the outstanding research work that is carried out in the country. Innovation performance and economic impact are key criteria in the selection process. With a total prize fund of EUR 760,000, the Houska Prize distributes more prize money than any other privately-financed awards for application-driven research in Austria.

Visual Houskapreis 2024

TU Graz, AIT and P+F PRODUCTS + FEATURES win Houska Prize 2025

Annette Mütze from TU Graz received the prize in the "University Research" category for her work on small electric drives in vehicles that contribute to CO2 emissions with the aim of making them more efficient and sustainable. Markus Makoschitz from the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) convinced the jury in the category "Non-University Research" with the development of a high-performance, all-electric charging infrastructure that paves the way for the mobility transition. In the category "Research & Development in SMEs", Siegfried Einhellig from the Austrian company P+F PRODUCTS + FEATURES was awarded for the development of a TricValve system - an innovative, minimally invasive transcatheter procedure to regulate venous return in tricuspid regurgitation. The first-place winners will each receive prize money of 150,000 euros. Congratulations!

The two scientists, Johannes Peham and Ivan Barisic, and their team from the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) convinced the student jury of the Mariella Schurz Prize from the HTL Braunau. The specially designed Houska Prize statue was presented for the project "Electrical cell lysis for rapid antibiotic resistance tests".

If you have any questions, please contact 
B&C Private Foundation | Doris Mayr | T: +43 (0)1 531 01-502 | E: d.mayr@privat-stiftungen.at
Here are guidlines for creating and processing online submissions. 

2025 Houska Prize

Established in 2005, the B&C Private Foundation’s Houska Prize was set up to promote commercially relevant research and innovation in Austria. By awarding the prize, B&C’s goal is to help strengthen Austria as a business location and express its appreciation for the outstanding research work that is carried out in the country. Innovation performance and economic impact are key criteria in the selection process. With a total prize fund of EUR 750,000, the Houska Prize distributes more prize money than any other privately-financed awards for application-driven research in Austria.

Visual Houskapreis 2024

Austrian Academy of Sciences, Joanneum Research and  Incus win the 2024 Houska Prize

In the University Research category, Jürgen Knoblich from the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) at the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) won the main prize for his research project "Organoid Model of Human Brain Development and Disorders". Katrin Tiffner from the Joanneum Research convinces the jury in the category Non-University Research with her research achievements on "Dermal Open Microperfusion". In the Research & Development in SMEs category, Gerald Mitteramskogler from the Viennese company Incus impressed the expert jury and the members of the advisory committee, taking away the golden Houska Prize trophy for "LMM - Metal 3D Printing with Light".

Congratulations!

If you have any questions, please contact 
B&C Private Foundation | Doris Mayr | T: +43 (0)1 531 01-502 | E: d.mayr@privat-stiftungen.at
Here are guidlines for creating and processing online submissions. 

2024 Houska Prize

Established in 2005, the B&C Private Foundation’s Houska Prize was set up to promote commercially relevant research and innovation in Austria. By awarding the prize, B&C’s goal is to help strengthen Austria as a business location and express its appreciation for the outstanding research work that is carried out in the country. Innovation performance and economic impact are key criteria in the selection process. With a total prize fund of EUR 750,000, the Houska Prize distributes more prize money than any other privately-financed awards for application-driven research in Austria.

Visual Houskapreis 2024

Submissions now closed

The deadline for submissions for the 2024 Houska Prize was 30 November 2023. A total of 73 projects were submitted, 28 of which were in the category "University Research", 25 in the area of "Non-University Research" and 20 in the category "Research & Development in SMEs". The submitted research projects will now be evaluated in a two-step process by high-profile advisory boards and an internationally recognized expert jury. The five nominees per category will be announced by the end of February 2024. The award ceremony will take place in Vienna on 25 April 2024.

Thank you for the numerous submissions!

If you have any questions, please contact 
B&C Private Foundation | Doris Mayr | T: +43 (0)1 531 01-502 | E: d.mayr@privat-stiftungen.at
Here are guidlines for creating and processing online submissions. 

2023 Houska Prize - submission nicht sichtbar

Established in 2005, the B&C Private Foundation’s Houska Prize was set up to promote business-related research and innovation. By awarding the prize, B&C’s goal is to help strengthen Austria as a business location while expressing its appreciation for the outstanding research work carried out in the country. With a total endowment of EUR 750,000 shared between the winners, the Houska Prize is Austria’s largest private award for application-driven research.

Submissions until 30 November 2022

The Austrian research Oscars will be marking its 18th iteration next year with a new development: the 2023 Houska Prize will be extended to include a third category – Non-University Research – which will complement the existing categories Higher Education Research and Research & Development in SMEs. Submissions for the 2023 Houska Prize are online only and open between 1 September and 30 November 2022. Please note that the submission form is in German only.

SUBMIT HERE

If you have any questions, please contact
B&C Private Foundation | Doris Mayr | T: +43 (0)1 531 01-502 | E: d.mayr@privat-stiftungen.at

Nominees for the 2023 Houska Prize

13 projects were nominated for the 2023 Houska Prize in a two-stage process by internationally recognised experts.

Category Higher Education Research

Alphabetical order by university

Category Non-University Research

Alphabetical order by university

Category Research & Development in SMEs

Alphabetical order by university

2022 Houska Prize All Stars - Nominees nicht sichtbar

The B&C Private Foundation has announced a special prize for 2022: the 2022 Houska Prize All Stars. This award will recognize the achievements of projects nominated for the Houska Prize between 2005 and 2020 which have gone on to achieve the greatest commercial success.

Logo Houskapreis 2022 All Stars

Five projects nominated for the 2022 Houska Prize All Stars

The deadline for submissions for the 2022 Houska Prize All Stars was 30 November 2021. The projects entered have been evaluated in a two-phase process by the members of the a high-level Advisory Commitee and an internationally respected expert jury. Out of 28 submissions the best 5 projects were selected for the final. The winners will be announced at the Houska Prize award ceremony taking place on 28 April 2022.

2022 Houska Prize All Stars - Submission open nicht sichtbar

The B&C Private Foundation has announced a special prize for 2022: the 2022 Houska Prize All Stars. This award will recognize the achievements of projects nominated for the Houska Prize between 2005 and 2020 which have gone on to achieve the greatest commercial success.

Submissions open until 30 November 2021

Submissions for the 2022 Houska Prize All Stars are online only and must be entered between 1 September 2021 and midnight on 30 November 2021 at the latest. Please note that the submission form is in German only.

Submit here

Houskapreis Preisverleihung
Houskapreis 2018: Preisverleihung

Registration for the Award Ceremony

In the 2022 Houska Prize All Stars, the B&C Private Foundation will be paying tribute to the nominated projects submitted between 2005 and 2020 which have gone on to achieve the greatest commercial success. Austria´s top researchers will be awarded with the prestigious Houska Prize at a festive award ceremony.

Thursday, 28 April 2021, 7:00 p.m. CET
Museumsquartier, Museumsplatz 1, A-1070 Vienna

Please note, that only persons who have been sent an invitation with a registration code can register to attend the award ceremony. The event will be streamed online on our website to enable anyone to see the ceremony. The event will be held in German.

register here

The event is organized according to the criteria of the Austrian Ecolabel for Green Events. Please support our green event and use public transport when you arrive.

Nominees 2022 - offline

Winners and Nominees

Submission Criteria 2022 - offline

The 2022 Houska Prize was awarded in the form of a special All Stars prize. Participation was open to all nominated projects submitted by universities and small and medium-sized businesses between 2005 and 2020. The Advisory Committees and Expert Jury nominated five projects, which were in with a chance of winning the All Stars special prize.

 

List of eligible projects:
projects nominated from 2005 to 2020

Submission and evaluation criteria:
2022 Houska Prize All Stars terms of submission

The 2022 Houska Prize All Stars was endowed with total prize money of EUR 250,000. B&C increased the prize money to EUR 340,000 to provide the  two first place winners with vouchers with a value equivalent to EUR 150,000 each.

The prize was awarded in the form of continuing education/research vouchers for training and development spendings, infrastructure investments or research services.

1st prize: voucher with a value equivalent to €150,000
2nd prize: voucher with a value eqivalent to €60,000
3rd prize: voucher with a value equivalent to €20,000
2 nominees: vouchers each with a value equivalent to €10.000

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