Prof Brandl Prize at the University of Innsbruck
On the basis of an authorisation granted by the wife of the late Honorary Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. Ernst Brandl, the "Prof. Brandl Prize" is awarded at the University of Innsbruck. The prize is determined anew each year by the foundation on the basis of the proceeds. In 2025, it amounted to EUR 5,000.
The Prof. Brandl Prize is intended as recognition for particularly innovative, future-oriented achievements that contribute to overcoming the difficulties of our time and to ensuring a future worth living.
The topic should fall within the fields of biotechnology, genetic engineering, enzyme technology, or cell culture technology, but may also pertain to the natural sciences or engineering sciences, and must involve innovations aimed at improving human well-being, the environmentally friendly extraction of active ingredients, energy, and raw materials, ensuring food security for humans and animals, or solving our environmental problems.
The work must have been published no more than two years prior to submission or accepted for publication by a renowned scientific journal; the patent must have been granted no more than two years prior.
Current members (§ 94 UG) and former members of the University of Innsbruck whose submitted work or patent lists an Affiliation with the UIBK and who have not received this award in the past five calendar years.
In the case of collaborative works, only the lead author (first author or senior author/corresponding author) may submit the entry, with the consent of the co-authors.
- A high-profile paper that has been published or accepted for publication by a renowned scientific journal in the last two years (i.e. 2024 or later).
- Or a patent that was granted within the last two years (i.e., in 2024 or later).
- The work/patent must have an Affiliation with the UIBK.
- In the case of collaborative works, only the lead author (first author or senior author/corresponding author) may submit the entry, with the consent of the co-authors.
Applications must be submitted with all required documents (individually as .pdf) by
Wednesday, November 25, 2026
by e-mail to forschungsfoerderung@uibk.ac.at at the latest.
Documents to be submitted
- Application form download
- Scientific work or patent
- Abstract of the submitted scientific work or the submitted patent including the reasons why the Prof. Brandl Prize should be awarded for this scientific work / this submitted patent, maximum 2 pages in total.
- Short CV in 7-10 sentences in German as a docx document (will be used for the speech at the ceremony)
- Detailed CV for the review in pdf format; list of relevant publications of the applicant
- Declaration of consent of the co-authors (see template under further information)
The next call is expected to take place again in 2029.
According to the donor's wish, the prize will be awarded undivided every two years for the time being for works from the field of the University of Innsbruck.
A committee consisting of members from the faculties of the University of Innsbruck from which nominations are received (one vote each) and the Austrian Society for Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology (two votes) then selects the work deemed worthy of the award and submits it to the “Prof. Ernst Brandl Foundation” in Schwaz by early March for funding. The chair rotates among the faculties in alphabetical order.
If no work is deemed worthy of the award, the prize will not be awarded that year.
The research prize is expected to be awarded at a ceremony in May 2027.
The German version prevails over the English one in case of deviations.
Enquiries & advice
project.service.office
Research funding and mentoring
Dr Angelika Hintner
+43 512 507 34416
forschungsfoerderung@uibk.ac.at
Address
Technikerstr 21a, ICT-Gebäude, ZiNr. 1 W 11
A-6020 Innsbruck
Office hours
Tuesday - Thursday: 8am - 3pm
Appointments outside office hours by arrangement