Danubius Young Scientist Award

The Danubius Young Scientist Award is now open for nominations!

The Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) and the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM) annually grant 14 young scientists with the Danubius Young Scientist Award (one for each country that is part of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania and Ukraine)[*].

Introduced in 2014, the Award seeks to highlight the scientific work and talent of young researchers and enhance the visibility of the scientific community in the region. Moreover, the award encourages young scientists to engage in the scientific examination of the multifaceted issues and questions specifically related to the Danube Region.

The Danubius Young Scientist Award is open to all scientific disciplines.

There is no formal age limit BUT the candidate must have received their highest academic degree (Master/PhD) within the last 5 years (= after 1 January 2020). Submissions of candidates holding only a bachelor’s degree will not be accepted.

The candidate cannot nominate himself/herself. He or she must be nominated by their hosting scientific institution (university, academy of sciences, research organization, etc.).

The hosting scientific institution can nominate up to a maximum of five candidates in total. However, the five candidates must come from different faculties or departments, institutes or research groups within the organization. If more than five applications are submitted, those from the rectorate or management of the organization will be given preference, as it will be assumed that they have gone through an internal coordination process.

Please submit all documents in English (exception: degree certificate) and as three PDF files:

1. Letter of recommendation from the institution (max. 1 page)
2. One single document about the candidate containing the following information:
   1. Summary of the scientific work (e.g. thesis, dissertation, journal article, scientific publication, etc.) and its specific relevance for the Danube Region
   2. Curriculum vitae including publication list of the candidate (CV and publication list max. 3 pages)
3. Certificate of the candidate’s highest academic degree

Please submit nominations to dysa@idm.at by Friday, 9 May 2025 at 23:59 CEST.

For any technical issues or questions, please contact r.thorne@idm.at

An international expert jury will assess all incoming nominations based on the following criteria:

• Scientific excellence and innovative approach to the academic work
• Thematic relevance of the scientific work to the issues/problems of the Danube Region
• Relevance of the scientific work beyond national borders
• Potential of the candidate (for example: integration in international networks, participation in scientific projects, publication history, experience in teaching, etc.)

The jury will determine a final ranking list. Candidates with the highest ranking will be recommended to receive the Award.

Each winner will receive a prize of 1,350 Euro.

An award ceremony will take place on 13 November 2025 in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the details of which will be announced in due course. Moreover, thanks to the ongoing kind support by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), it is envisaged that the winners will have the opportunity to visit one of their facilities in Ispra, Italy, in 2026.

[*] Please note: The country of the nominating institution is the determining factor, not the country of the candidate’s citizenship. The Award is thereby open to all young researchers within each institution, regardless of background.