Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration (Vienna/Austria) - Stephan Koren Award

What the Stephan Koren Award gives you

For an outstanding doctoral thesis, you will receive a one-off cash prize of up to 10,000 EUR. Should several theses be of equal merit in the same year, the prize may be shared amongst the winners. The prize is awarded by the Association of Full Professors at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Vienna). It recognises early-career researchers whose work strengthens the university’s reputation for research.

Who can apply

• Degree: You completed your PhD at WU Vienna. Only graduates of WU Vienna are eligible to take part.
• Timing: You completed your studies in the calendar year preceding the year of award. For round 2026, this means during the period from 2025.
• Grade: Her doctoral thesis was awarded a ‘Very Good’, the highest mark.
• Field of study: Open to all degree programmes at WU Vienna.
• Nationality: All nationalities can apply.

How to apply

Please send your application by email to the Senate Office of the Association of Full Professors at WU Vienna. Please enclose with your application your doctoral thesis, the examination report, the examiners’ reports, your CV and a list of publications arising from your doctoral research. The deadline for applications is 30 April. The Association will then decide on the appointment.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is presented to only a very small group of people. Only those who obtained their PhD from WU Vienna in the previous year and achieved the highest mark are eligible, meaning that the pool of potential candidates is very small each year. Several prizes are awarded each year, which further improves your chances. If you have recently completed a PhD at WU Vienna with a ‘very good’ grade and a solid list of publications, your prospects are really good.