The 2026 Josef Krainer Science Prizes (Josef Krainer Recognition Prizes and Josef Krainer Development Prizes) were presented yesterday during a ceremony at the Meerscheinschlössl at the University of Graz. In his welcoming address, the Rector of the University of Graz, Peter Riedler, expressed his delight that the Josef Krainer Science Prizes, which are now presented in cooperation with all Styrian universities (following 2026 at the University of Graz, 2027 at Graz University of Technology, 2028 at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, 2029 at the Montanuniversität Leoben and 2030 at the Medical University of Graz), “are being awarded where they belong”.
The 2026 Josef Krainer Recognition Awards went to young scientists at an advanced stage of their careers who have already demonstrated their calibre through research achievements (e.g. habilitation). This recognition for their outstanding achievements was awarded to: Anita Emmerstorfer-Augustin (Molecular Biotechnology); Eva Gerold (Metallurgy); Georg Jäger (Environmental Systems Sciences) and Lisa Paleczek (Educational Science).
The 2026 Josef Krainer Promotion Awards were presented to young talents to encourage them to further advance their academic careers. The following early-career researchers received this award for their excellent achievements: Charlotte Cui (Materials Science); Johanna Dabernig-Heinz (Molecular Microbiology); Markus Fasching (Engineering Sciences); Andreas Joham (Law); Eva Krisper (Jazz and Popular Music Research); Claudia Laštro (Political Science); Stefan Purkhart (Physics) and Malina Seyffertitz (Materials Science).
The awards honour outstanding academics who, through their work, embody the values championed by Governor Josef Krainer senior (Governor from 1948 until his death in 1971): cosmopolitanism, responsibility, creative courage and deep roots in their Styrian homeland. In his laudatory speech, Gerald Schöpfer, Chairman of the “Josef Krainer – Styrian Memorial Foundation”, also highlighted these values in the breadth and diversity of the laureates’ careers and emphasised that research is becoming increasingly “feminised”, as evidenced by the fact that eight of the twelve prizes went to women this time.
About the Josef Krainer Prizes
The Josef Krainer Science Prizes are awarded around the time of the Styrian public holiday in memory of the work of the great Styrian Governor Josef Krainer senior, with the aim of promoting and perpetuating the creative and independent spirit – inextricably linked to him – in our province by honouring outstanding research achievements.
The Josef Krainer Science Prizes are awarded following a public call for applications by the board of the association “Josef Krainer – Styrian Memorial Foundation” on the recommendation of an independent scientific advisory board, which is composed of renowned scientists from all Styrian universities across various disciplines and subjects the submitted applications to a rigorous evaluation process in line with international standards.
The 2026 Josef Krainer Academic Awards were presented by the Chairman of the Memorial Foundation, Gerald Schöpfer, together with Rector Peter Riedler (University of Graz) and Dorli Jaufer, the daughter of Josef Krainer senior.
The Memorial Foundation would also like to extend special thanks to GRAWE and Steiermärkische Sparkasse for sponsoring the prize money for the 2026 Josef Krainer Science Prize.