Through the “Dr. Hans Riegel-Fachpreise”, the Kaiserschild Foundation aims to foster young people’s interest in science and research. The awards are presented each year to secondary school students who have written outstanding final theses in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics and physics. On 16 September 2026, eleven prizes with a total value of 4,600 euros were awarded. In addition, vouchers worth 250 euros each were given to the winners’ schools to support the purchase of materials for science lessons.
To promote interest in topics within the humanities and cultural studies, the University of Graz annually awards the JuniorAcademic Awards and the SPRADI Prize. These awards go to Styrian secondary school-leavers for excellent final theses in history, philosophy/psychology, German, music or a foreign language subject. The SPRADI Prize recognises an outstanding final thesis written in a modern foreign language. On 29 September 2026, six award-winning students and their schools received book vouchers worth a total of 2,300 euros, of which 300 euros were sponsored by the Austrian National Union of Students (ÖH).
The KinderUniGraz, a collaboration between the universities in Graz, is responsible for organising the competition and the award ceremonies. The University of Graz offers support to secondary school students in writing their final thesis. University students pass on their experience to them. Learn more
The award winners 2026
Dr. Hans Riegel-Fachpreise
Biology
1. Sarah Aschacher, Biodiversität digital (v)ermitteln (BORG Kindberg)
2. Miriam Neukirchner, Analyse des Polleneintrags von Honigbienen am Standort der Hermann-Kaserne in Leibnitz (B(R)G Leibnitz)
3. Clara Stadler, Laktat und VO2max als Leistungsindikatoren im Triathlon (BG/BRG Lichtenfels)
Chemistry
1. Katharina Posch, Biokatalytische Herstellung von Nukleosidanaloga (Europagymnasium Leoben)
2. Konstantin Sorger, Entwicklung eines pflanzlichen Proteinpulvers (Klusemann Extern)
3. Romy Marie Schachner, Charakterisierung unterschiedlicher textiler Produkte aus dem Sport- und Freizeitbereich (Europagymnasium Leoben)
Computer science
1. Benedikt Prüller, Funktionsweise eines Deep Learning Modells am Beispiel der Erkennung handschriftlicher Zeichen (Privatgymnasium der Ursulinen Graz)
2. Sara Johary, Post-Quantum Crypto Systems (BG/BRG Pestalozzi)
Physics
1. Jan Koschier, Änderung von Luftwiderstand und Auftrieb bei verschiedenen Anstellwinkeln und Flügelprofilen (BRG Petersgasse)
2. Felix Fintl, Aerodynamik und Flügel:Welchen Einfluss hat die Flügel-Pfeilung auf den Luftwiderstand der Tragfläche? (GIBS, Graz International Bilingual School)
3. Solveig Iris Berger-Joham, Die Erschaffung des Universums – Wie der Urknall die Gottesfrage herausfordert (Stiftsgymnasium Admont)
JuniorAcademic Awards
History
Leonhard Schadler, Zwischen Flügelkämpfen und Einheit – der außerordentliche SPÖ-Bundesparteitag 2023 im Fokus (BG/BRG Gleisdorf)
Philosophy/Psychology
Clemens Handel, Der Aufstieg extremistischer und demokratiefeindlicher Ideologien im 21. Jahrhundert in Europa (BG/BRG Knittelfeld)
JuniorAcademic Recognition Awards
Natalie Gutmann, The Role of the Japanese Monarchy in the Past and Present (BG/BRG Lichtenfels)
Ece Kisa, Macht der Sprache in der Politik – Wie Vertrauen und Überzeugung entstehen (BG/BRG Gleisdorf)
Raphael Köstl, Audio Recording for Video and Filmproduction (BG/BRG Leoben 1)
SPRADI Prize
Paula Zettl, The perception and treatment of women with mental illnesses in the 19th century: An analysis based on the novel The Mad Women's Ball by Victoria Mas (BG/BRG/BORG Köflach)
