Vehicle Industry - Thesis award

Thesis award of the Austrian Vehicle Industry Association

You will receive one-off cash prize for an outstanding Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis on a topic relating to the automotive industry. The Austrian Automotive Industry Association, which is part of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, awards a total of 18,000 EUR each year. This sum is divided into three categories, each worth 6,000 EUR: production, logistics and automotive engineering. Within each category, a jury usually selects two theses and decides how the 6,000 EUR is to be divided between them. The prize winners also receive a certificate, and their name and the title of their thesis are published on the association’s website. The prize has been awarded annually since 1999.

Who can apply

• Degree: You have written a Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis and achieved a good mark.
• Where you study: You have completed one of the following degree programmes at the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Steyr Campus (Smart Production and Management, Operations Management, International Logistics Management, Supply Chain Management or Logistics and Engineering Management) or at the FH Joanneum Graz (Automotive Engineering).
• Topic: Your dissertation deals with an innovative, practice-oriented topic that is clearly relevant to the Austrian automotive industry.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.
• Age and income: No age limit and no means test.

How to apply

There is no separate application form. As soon as you submit your final-year dissertation for one of the listed degree programmes, it will automatically be considered. A panel comprising the programme directors will select the winning entries and put them forward to the association. The prizes will be awarded between December and April.

How realistic are your chances?

This award has very strict eligibility criteria. Only graduates of a handful of specifically named degree programmes at two universities of applied sciences, whose final-year projects are relevant to the Austrian automotive industry, are eligible for nomination. This keeps the pool of candidates small, and as a rule, two final-year projects are selected per intake. If you have studied on one of these degree programmes and your thesis has a strong, concrete link to the industry, your prospects are really good.