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.
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.
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.

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