Europe Prize of the State of Carinthia

The Europe Prize of the State of Carinthia annually honors outstanding academic theses (bachelor’s, diploma/master’s, and doctoral dissertations) on Europe-related topics, with a special focus on their impact and significance for Carinthia. As a direct grant, the State of Carinthia thus supports research projects in the fields of education, research & innovation, as well as initial and continuing education. Eligible to apply are private individuals with EU citizenship who are enrolled at an Austrian higher education institution (university, university of applied sciences, or teacher training college) and can demonstrate a strong connection to Carinthia – for example, through main residence, place of study, or school graduation. Since 2013, the prize has been offered indefinitely, with submissions accepted at any time; the annual deadline is May 31st.

A prerequisite for application is a content-wise qualified thesis with a grade better than “sufficient,” which examines European topics from Carinthia’s perspective and pursues innovative research approaches. The award is granted by an expert jury that evaluates all submitted documents: curriculum vitae, fully completed application form, the entire thesis, as well as a concise executive summary (maximum 5 pages). Additionally, the supervisor’s report and – for bachelor’s theses – the final certificate must be included. The Europe Prize not only offers financial recognition for promising early-career researchers but also contributes to strengthening European awareness in Carinthia and fostering impulses for cross-border cooperation.