The aim of this science award is to raise awareness of projects, strengthen the transfer of knowledge between science and society, and encourage other researchers to adopt Open Innovation in Science (OIS) methods.

The Ludwig Boltzmann Society (LBG) is a pioneer in the development and implementation of OIS strategies. Through the LBG OIS Center, which has been active for over ten years, it pools its expertise and supports open and participatory research in Austria in collaboration with national and international partners from academia, industry, and civil society.

This year, three science awards will again be presented, each to a single recipient:

• Open Innovation in Science Award (2,000 EUR) – For a project that implements OIS methods in an innovative and effective manner.
• WKÖ Foundation Award for Knowledge Transfer & Commercialization (2,000 EUR) – This award is sponsored by the Austrian Economic Chambers (WKÖ) and recognizes a project that, in addition to OIS, places a special focus on the transfer and/or commercialization of research results.
• Support Package for an OIS Project with Development Potential – A support grant is awarded to a project whose OIS approach is still under development. The project receives targeted consulting and mentoring on the implementation of OIS methods from experts at the OIS Center.

Submission & Evaluation

Who can submit? Individual LBI and KFG early-career researchers in the following career stages: doctoral studies, immediate postdoctoral phase, or transition to independent research.

Submission format: An innovatively designed, high-quality poster draft that clearly and comprehensively presents the research project (including OIS aspects).

Evaluation criteria: Quality of the research project, including OIS methodology, methodological implementation, stakeholder engagement and societal impact, knowledge transfer aspects, and potential applications.

In addition to the prize money, the winners will receive professional support with communication (e.g., video, social media) to help widely disseminate their research. The winning posters will be presented at the OIS zam: Forum (November 4–5, 2026) in Vienna.

Please send the following attachments to nqvf.frevsbivp@yot.np.ng:

• CV of the applicant (as a PDF, max. 3 MB)
• Poster draft: We do not require a finished poster, but rather a developed draft featuring an OIS component, text, and a visualization (as a PDF; A0 format, max. 10 MB)

  Submission deadline: 31. Juli 2026