IDM - Danubius Young Scientist Award 2026

🏆 About IDM - Danubius Young Scientist Award

The Danubius Young Scientist Award is an annual initiative by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Women, Science and Research (BMFWF) and the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM). This award recognizes exceptional young researchers from countries participating in the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, promoting scientific excellence and regional engagement.

🎁 Benefits of the Award

• Each winner will receive a prize of €1,350.

📜 Eligibility Criteria

• Open to all scientific disciplines.
• Candidates must have received their highest academic degree (Master/PhD) within the last 5 years (after 1 January 2021). Submissions from candidates holding only a bachelor's degree will not be accepted.
• Self-nominations are not allowed. Candidates must be nominated by their hosting scientific institution (e.g., university, academy of sciences, research organization).
• Hosting scientific institutions can nominate up to five candidates in total. However:
  • The five candidates must come from different faculties, 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 prioritized, as it is assumed they have undergone an internal coordination process.

📅 Application Date and Process

Required Documents (submitted in English except for the degree certificate):

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

Submission Deadline:

• 10 May, 2026

🌟 Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a young researcher who:

• Has demonstrated scientific excellence in their field.
• Has contributed to the advancement of knowledge relevant to the Danube Region.
• Is actively engaged in regional scientific collaboration.

🔗 Contact Information

For further details, visit the official IDM - Danubius Young Scientist Award page.

📌 Note:

Ensure all documents are submitted in the required format and adhere to the eligibility criteria to avoid disqualification.

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