Austrian Microbiome Research Awards 2025

The FWF Cluster of Excellence MICROPLANET is welcoming applications for the Austrian Microbiome Research Awards 2025.

The goal of the awards is to highlight outstanding microbiome research by researchers in Austria from any microbiome field (environmental, medical, etc.).

Three Research Awards will be given:

• – Best MSc thesis
• – Best PhD thesis
• – Best paper

Applications are accepted for papers published (available online, no preprints) or theses submitted and defended in the 12 months prior to the submission deadline.

Applications will be accepted from applicants who did the work while affiliated with a university or research institute in Austria. Applicants should be the first author of the publication, or the author of the thesis.

The application should indicate which award you are applying for and include:

• – CV of the applicant
• – A short (maximum one page) outline of why this paper or thesis should win the Austrian Microbiome Research Award
• – A pdf of the publication or thesis

Send your application as a single pdf to coe.cemess@univie.ac.at by June 7th, 2025. Winners will be informed by mid-June 2025.

For further questions see the FAQs or contact the CoE Office (coe.cemess@univie.ac.at).

Application FAQs

• Can I apply for multiple prizes?
  • Yes, you can apply for multiple prizes (e.g., best PhD thesis award and best paper award), however, it is unlikely that both prizes will be awarded to the same applicant.
• Can I apply for a paper where I am co-first author with other individuals?
  • Yes
• Can I apply if I’m not working at the University of Vienna, or if I’m not affiliated with the Cluster of Excellence Microplanet?
  • Yes, these awards are for microbiome research from anywhere in Austria.
• What if my paper has been accepted by the journal but is not yet available online?
  • We only accept applications for papers that are available online (however, no preprints), but we expect to put out a call for award applications every year, so try applying next year!
• Who selects the winners?
  • The selection committee will be made up of key researchers from the CoE Microplanet.
• What do the winners receive?
  • Winners will be awarded their prize at the Annual Microbiome Day (details to be provided), and will be invited to present their research at the Annual Meeting of the Cluster of Excellence (October 19-21, 2025) with travel and accommodation costs within Europe covered.
• What if I have moved to another continent to take up a position at the time of the Microbiome Day or Annual Meeting?
  • Costs can be covered for travel within Europe only. Winners based on other continents would be welcome to present online.