Johannes Kepler University Linz - Adolf Adam Informatic Sciences Prize

Adolf Adam Informatic Sciences Prize

For an outstanding Master’s thesis in Computer Science, you will receive a cash prize of 1,500 EUR. The Department of Computer Science at the Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU) in Austria awards the prize once a year; it has been awarded since 2011. What makes it special is that the shortlisted graduates present their theses to school pupils from Upper Austria, who then vote for the best thesis at a small awards ceremony in December.

Who can apply

• Degree: You have completed the Master’s degree programme in Computer Science at JKU Linz.
• Timing: You have completed your Master’s degree in the current academic year, which runs from 1 October to 30 September.
• Grade: Your master's thesis was marked "very good" (sehr gut), the top grade in the Austrian system.
• Willingness to present: You agree to present your work to the pupils in a clear and accessible manner and to allow your slides to be published online.
• Nationality: Open to all nationalities. What counts is your JKU degree.

How to apply

You should submit your final dissertation as a PDF file (including an abstract and a CV), together with a one-page outline setting out how you would present it to the pupils. The deadline is in early October (for the 2026 round on 1 October 2026). A panel comprising JKU staff, teachers and sponsors will select three to four final projects, assessing their scientific rigour, practical relevance and the clarity with which you can explain your work. The selected graduates will each give a 10-minute presentation in December, and the pupils in the audience will choose the winner.

How realistic are your chances?

The pool of participants is strictly limited: only graduates of the Computer Science degree programme at JKU whose final dissertation received the highest mark in the same academic year are eligible to take part, meaning that only a small number of candidates enter the competition. If you can demonstrate that your final dissertation was awarded the top mark and manage to present it in a way that captures school pupils’ interest, your chances are good, as in the final assessment a clear, engaging presentation is valued just as highly as the research itself.