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.
Austria's largest private award for applied research
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.
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!
The Houska Prize 2026 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.
New this year: instead of five projects, only three projects per category will be nominated. As a result, the prize money for the second and third place winners has increased. The prize money will be paid exclusively to the institution, not to individuals. In the case of withholding tax (KESt) liability, this will be retained and remitted by the B&C Private Foundation to the tax authorities. Beyond the disbursement of the Houska Prize funds, the winners are not entitled to any further benefits or beneficiary rights from the B&C Private Foundation.

These categories reflect the diversity of Austria’s research landscape, which combines scientific excellence with economic impact.
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.
For more information please refer to the following documents:
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.
For more information please refer to the following documents:
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.
For more information please refer to the following documents:
E: houskapreis@bcprivatstiftung.at | T: +43 1 53101-0