Wittgenstein Award

Program aims

The Programme provides both recognition and support to excellent scientists (up to 55 years of age) who have already produced exceptional scientific work and who occupy a prominent place in the international scientific community. Prizewinners should be guaranteed the maximum possible level of freedom and flexibility in the performance of their research, thereby facilitating an increase in their scientific productivity.

The Prize is associated with financial support up to a maximum of EUR 1.5 million to be spent over a period of five years. It is intended to enhance and extend the research possibilities of the Prizewinner and his or her group. The Programme is targeted at scientists of any discipline. There are no quotas regulating the distribution of awards between subject areas.

The Wittgenstein Prize is the most generously supported research programme in Austria. As such, it attracts considerable media attention and thus contributes significantly to the understanding and acceptance of scientific research by society.