Houska Prize

Austria's largest private award for applied research

Houskapreis

Houska Prize 2026

Submissions from 1 Sep. to 28 Oct. 2025
Submit now

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 2026

The Houska Prize enters its 21st round: Starting 1 September 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

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.

For more information please refer to the following documents:

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.

For more information please refer to the following documents:

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.

For more information please refer to the following documents:

Prize Money

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.

01.09.
2025
Beginning of submission period for the Houska Prize 2026
28.10.
2025
End of submission period for the Houska Prize 2026
10.02.
2026
Completion of project evaluations by advisory boards and jury
11.02.
2026
Announcement of nominees for the Houska Prize 2026
21.04.
2026
Award Ceremony for the Houska Prize 2026

Two-Stage Selection Process

Advisory Boards and Jury from Academia and Industry

The three categories “University Research,” “Non-University Research,” and “Research & Development in SMEs” are evaluated separately. The assessment of submitted projects takes place in a two-stage process carried out by highly qualified expert advisory boards and an internationally recognized jury of experts. The advisory board makes use of external reviews to develop a well-founded basis for decision-making and proposes an initial ranking, which is then finally evaluated by the jury. Three projects are nominated in each category. The Mariella Schurz Prize is awarded in cooperation with a school, chosen by an upper-level class. The winners are honored by the B&C Private Foundation at a festive award ceremony.

Presse & News

Houska Prize Team

Nora Dvorak

Nora Dvorak

Donia Lasinger

Donia Lasinger

Doris Mayr

Doris Mayr

CONTACT

B&C Privatstiftung  |  Universitätsring 14  |  1010 Wien | houskapreis@bcprivatstiftung.at
Doris Mayr  |  T: +43 1 53101 502  |  E: d.mayr@privat-stiftungen.at
Nora Dvorak |  T: +43 1 53101 301 |  E: n.dvorak@bcholding.at

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Contact

Doris Mayr  |  +43 1 53101 502  |  d.mayr@privat-stiftungen.at
B&C Privatstiftung  |  Universitätsring 14  |  1010 Vienna, Austria

Voting abschicken

Tätig im Bereich (optional)

Ranking Houska Prize 2025

The winners were awarded on 9 April 2025.

University Research category

Alphabetical order by university/institute

Project lead

TU Graz/Electric Drives and Power Electronic Systems Institute - Univ.-Prof.in. Dr.in-Ing.in Annette Mütze

Project

1st Prize: Neglected but with Tremendous Impact: Small Automotive Drives

Project lead

TU Graz/Institute of Structural Design & Laboratory for Structural Engineering - Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stefan Peters, Assoc.-Prof. DI Dr. Andreas Trummer, Priv.-Doz. DI. Dr. Bernhard Freytag

Project

Nominated: Material Efficient Design and Use of Concrete

Project lead

TU Wien/Institute of Mechanics and Mechatronics - Assoc.-Prof. DI Dr. Christoph Hametner

Project

2nd Prize: Intelligent Operating Strategies for Fuel Cell Vehicles

Project lead

TU Wien/Institute of Powertrain and Automotive Technology - Assoc.-Prof. Dr. Peter Hofmann, Ass.Prof. Dr. Johannes Konrad

Project

FCTRAC: Fuel Cell Electric Tractor with H2-Supply

Project lead

TU Wien/Photonics Institute - Univ.-Prof. Dr. Andrius Baltuska

Project

3rd Prize: ELAN – Innovative Laser Technology für Advanced Science and Industry

Non-University Research category

Alphabetical order by institution

Project lead

AIT Austrian Institute of Technology - Univ.-Prof. Dr. Markus Makoschitz

Project

1st Prize: MEDUSA – Sustainable Multi-Megawatt Medium-Voltage Fast Charging

Project lead

AIT Austrian Institute of Technology - Dr. Johannes Peham, Dr. Ivan Barisic

Project

Nominated: Electrical Cell Lysis for Rapid Antibiotic Resistance Testing

Project lead

Joanneum Research - DI DDr. Jürgen M. Lackner

Project

2nd Prize: Electrical Conductive Wood Surfaces for Sustainable Interior Design

Project lead

Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Osteology - Assoc.-Prof. PD DDr. Roland Kocijan

Project

3rd Prize: Optimization of the Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) in Austria

Project lead

SBA Research - PD Dr. Dimitrios Simos

Project

Nominated: Combinatorial Security Testing

Research&Development in SMEs category

Alphabetical order by SME

Project lead

Insort GmbH - DI Matthias Jeindl, DI.in Judith Lammer, DI Dr. Markus Schlagbauer

Project

CIT – Real-time Food Sorting via Chemical Imaging

Project lead

Livin Farms AgriFood GmbH - Katharina Unger

Project

3rd Prize: Zero Waste Insect-Protein Factory

Project lead

Metalpine GmbH - Dr. Martin Dopler

Project

Nominated: Metalpine & High Quality Metal Powders for 3D Printing

Project lead

P+F PRODUCTS + FEATURES GmbH - Prof. Dr. Siegfried Einhellig

Project

1st Prize: TricValve – Transcatheter Bicaval Valve System

Project lead

PBX GmbH - DI Dominik Radler

Project

Nominated: ecos for Eco-friendly, Zero-emission Refrigerated Transport

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.

Contact

Doris Mayr  |  +43 1 53101 502  |  d.mayr@privat-stiftungen.at
B&C Privatstiftung  |  Universitätsring 14  |  1010 Vienna, Austria

Voting abschicken

Tätig im Bereich (optional)

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

Project lead

TU Wien - Ao. Univ.-Prof. DI Dr. Michael Harasek

Project

1st Prize: Separation and Compression of Hydrogen for Fuel Cells

Project lead

University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna - Priv.-Doz.in DI.in Dr.in Sabine Brandt

Project

3rd Prize: Immunotherapy of Papillomavirus-Induced Skin Cancer in Horses

Project lead

University of Vienna - Univ.-Prof. Dr. Mag. Robert Konrat

Project

2nd Prize: Computer-Assisted Structural Biology

Category Non-University Research

Alphabetical order by university

Project lead

AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH - Priv.-Doz.in DI.in Dr.in Angela Sessitsch

Project

2nd Prize: EndoBoost – Endophyte-based Technology Improving Crop Production

Project lead

Austrian Institute for Applied Telecommunications (OIAT) - Mag.a Louise Beltzung

Project

Nominated: Real-Time Detection of Fake-Shops through Machine Learning

Project lead

Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH I WOOD Kplus - Dr. Hendrikus van Herwijnen

Project

3rd Prize: Sustainable Adhesive for wood composite board and furniture

Project lead

RCPE Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH - Dr.in Simone Eder, MA,  Dr. Martin Spörk, MA

Project

Nominated: Personalized Pharmaceutical Inserts via 3D-Printing

Project lead

Salzburg Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH - DI.in (FH) Elisabeth Häusler

Project

1st Prize: Sensor-based feedback and mobile analysis for optimised alpine skiing

Category Research & Development in SMEs

Alphabetical order by university

Project lead

4a manufacturing GmbH, Styria - DI Dr. Patrick Hergan, DI.in Dr.in Svea Mayer, DI Michael Pichler

Project

2nd Prize: CIMERA Radome – 4a better connection

Project lead

Cube Dx GmbH - Mag. Dr. Bernhard Ronacher

Project

1st Prize: Compact Sequencing – An Early Sepsis Diagnosis

Project lead

RetInSight GmbH - Amir Sadeghipour, PhD

Project

3rd Prize: Provision of AI software for OCT images to monitor and screen chronic Age-related Macular Degeneration and other retinal diseases

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

Project lead

University of Innsbruck, Department of Mechatronics - Univ.-Prof. DI Dr. Clemens Zierhofer

Project

1st Prize: Design and Realisation of a Cochlear Implant System for Fine Structure Simulation

Project lead

Montanuniversität Leoben, Chair of Nonferrous Metallurgy - Univ.-Prof. DI Dr. Stefan Pogatscher

Project

1st Prize: Manipulation of Aluminium Tempering Kinetics for Traffic and Transport

Project lead

University of Innsbruck, Institute for Ion Physics and Applied Physics - Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Armin Hansel

Project

3rd Prize: PTR-TOF trace gas analysis

Project lead

Vienna University of Technology, Institute of Materials Science and Technology - Univ.-Prof. Jürgen Stampfl, Univ.-Prof. Robert Liska, Univ.-Prof. Aleksandr Ovsianikov

Project

Nominated: 3D-Printing – Let there be Light!

Project lead

Marinomed Biotech AG - Dr.in Eva Prieschl-Grassauer

Project

Nominated: Carragelose – Prophylaxis and Treatment of Viral Respiratory Infections

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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