The “Immersive Panthers” team with students from the Institute of Logistics Engineering won the Best Video Competition at the Immersive Design Challenge 2026, sponsored by Siemens and Sony. The video was created by the OU Educational Technology at TU Graz.
The TU Graz spin-offs arterioscope (in the category “Digitalisation: Micro and Small Enterprises”) and Ecolyte (in the category “Sustainability: Micro and Small Enterprises”) received the Styrian Innovation Prize (Innovationspreis Steiermark).
The TU Graz student team LosFuzzys achieved 3rd place in the Capture the Flag (CTF) competition at the Insomni'hack cybersecurity conference in Switzerland and 1st place in the CTF competition at the CloudFest conference in Germany.
Sonja WOGRIN from the Institute of Electricity Economics and Energy Innovation is among the newly elected Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) Corresponding Members of the Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
The Institute of Urbanism won an Honorary Appreciation Award for its publication “Territorial Urbanism Now!” at the international Best Book Design from all over the World competition organised by stiftung buchkunst (German Book Art Foundation).
Anita EMMERSTORFER-AUGUSTIN from the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology was awarded a Josef Krainer Recognition Prize (Josef-Krainer-Würdigungspreis) by Steirisches Gedenkwerk. Markus FASCHING from the Institute of Vehicle Safety also received a Josef Krainer Advancement Award (Josef-Krainer-Förderungspreis).
For their doctoral theses written at the Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Eveline KUHNERT won 2nd place and Michaela ROSCHGER won 3rd place at the Woman’s Award for Digitalisation and Innovation sponsored by Infineon Austria and ORF.
Anna GALLER from the Institute of Theoretical and Computational Physics received the SPIRIT Award for Women in Science in the category “Fundamental Research Junior & Senior” of Spirit of Styria magazine. Nicole WERMUTH from the Institute of Thermodynamics and Sustainable Propulsion Systems achieved 3rd place in the category “Applied Research Senior Scientist” together with LEC GmbH (Large Engines Competence Center).
TU Graz apprentices Sanela ALIC, Emma ENDERLE, Christina RAAB and Julia WAHLHÜTTER were honoured as “Stars of Styria” by the Styrian Economic Chamber for their outstanding performance in their apprenticeship examination.
At the European Rocketry Challenge in Portugal, the TU Graz-based student team Aerospace Team Graz, consisting of members from TU Graz, the University of Graz and FH Joanneum, won the European Championship title in rocket construction and also took home the Flight Award in the H9 class.
At the Innovator of the Year 2025 awards presented by brutkasten, Johanna PIRKER, from the Institute of Human-Centred Computing won 2nd place in the category “BOLD Innovation”.
Maria EICHLSEDER, from the Institute of Information Security was awarded the 2025 Science and Research Advancement Prize (Förderungspreis für Wissenschaft und Forschung) of the State of Styria.
The TU Graz spin-off Ecolyte, led by Stefan SPIRK from the Institute of Bioproducts and Paper Technology, won the European Commission’s 2025 Innovation Radar Prize in the category “Climate, Energy & Mobility”.
Clemens ARTH from the Institute of Visual Computing was awarded the Nikola Tesla Medal of TU Graz.
TU Graz graduate Clemens BENDLER received an award at the Hans Roth Environmental Prize ceremony (Hans Roth Umweltpreis).
Gabriele BERG from the Institute of Environmental Biotechnology and Thomas POCK from the Institute of Visual Computing are among the “Highly Cited Researchers 2025”, a list compiled by the Clarivate company.
TU Graz graduate Rainer PARTL was awarded the Burgenland University Prize (Burgenländischer Hochschulpreis) for his doctoral thesis submitted at the Institute of Building Physics, Services and Construction.
Three outstanding courses received the TU Graz Prize for Excellence in Teaching 2024/2025: Molecular Biology Laboratory Course I (LU) taught by Anita EMMERSTORFER-AUGUSTIN, Robert KOURIST, Regina Maria LEBER, Christoph REISINGER, Lucija SOVIC, Jelena SPASIC and Jasmin ZUSON (all from the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology or ACIB GmbH), Strength of Materials (UE) taught by Kevin PENDL from the Institute of Strength of Materials, as well as Mechanical Engineering Basics I (VU) taught by Patrick Rene KRÖPFL and Christian LANDSCHÜTZER (both from the Institute of Logistics Engineering).
Wolfgang BAUMJOHANN from the Institute of Communication Networks and Satellite Communications was awarded the Order of Merit of the State of Styria for Science, Research and Art, First Class (Ehrenzeichen des Landes Steiermark für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst I. Klasse).
Maria EDLINGER, who has been contributing to the development of pioneering projects at TU Graz for the last 35 years in various capacities, was appointed Honorary Senator of Graz University of Technology. Peter UMUNDUM, a graduate of Graz University of Technology and member of the board of directors of the Austrian Post, was named an Honorary Citizen of Graz University of Technology. Robert TICHY of the Institute of Analysis and Number Theory was awarded the Archduke John of Austria Medal (Erzherzog-Johann-Medaille).
Fikret BASIC from the Institute of Technical Informatics was awarded the TÜV Austria Science Prize 2025 in the category “Universities – Dissertations” for his doctoral thesis.
TU Graz achieved 1st place in the category “Measures for a Lived International University Culture” with its International House and 3rd place with its Welcome Buddy Programme at the Internationalisation Award of the Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research (BMFWF) and the OeAD, Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation.
TU Graz graduate Gregor KOGLER, among others, received the 2025 Recognition Award of the Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research (BMFWF), a state prize for the best diploma and master’s theses.
In December 2025, the Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research (BMFWF) presented the Award of Excellence to, among others, Nicolas Bernard Jean ALAUX, Verena REISECKER, Hannah BRUNNER, for their doctoral theses at TU Graz.
The TU Graz “Mind_the gap” Diversity Award was presented in 2025 to Antje SENARCLENS DE GRANCY, Clara NEUHOLD and Bettina PASCHKE (Institute of Architectural Theory, History of Art and Cultural Studies and University Library and Archive, respectively) for their research and publication project; Bernhard WIESER, Anna SCHREUER, Simone KOPEINIK, Dominik KOWALD and Peter MÜLLNER (Institute of Human-Centred Computing and Know Center Research GmbH, respectively) for their research project; Lisbora LIKAJ and Maria Anastasia MANOUSOPOULOU each for their respective master’s thesis; Florian Rudolf WOHLMUTH for his bachelor’s thesis and Rose-Anne GUSH (Institute of Contemporary Art) for a course.
The Herbert Eichholzer Architecture Awards of the City of Graz is awarded to talented architecture students at TU Graz. This year Leonhard RUMP and Fabian OBENAUS (1st prize), Mara TOLPEIT and Sára Anna TÓTH (2nd prize) and Tobias MANEGOLD, Thomas SCHAUMBERGER, Bendjamin UDOMKAEWKANJANA and Jakob WEINGARTNER (3rd prize) all received prizes.
Detlef HECK from the Institute of Construction Management and Economics was appointed a member of the Executive Board of Bauer AG on 15 August 2025.
Theresa RIENMÜLLER from the Institute of Biomechanics and Robert WINKLER, from the Institute of Electron Microscopy and Nanoanalysis have each received an ERC Starting Grant from the European Research Council.
At the Ars Docendi 2025, the Austrian State Prize for Excellence in Teaching, Christina HOPFE and Robert MCLEOD from the Institute of Building Physics, Services and Construction were recognised in the category “Learning Outcome-Oriented Examination and Teaching Culture”.
The Institute for Management and Economic Research IMWF and the Kronen Zeitung newspaper named TU Graz one of the top institutions for 2025 in the field of education.
At the 3rd eFuel Young Scientists Awards, TU Graz student Luca GÜSSER received an award in the category “Bachelor’s and Master’s Thesis”. In the category “Doctoral Thesis”, Sebastian ROISER, and Marc KLAWITTER, each received an award for their doctoral theses written at TU Graz.
Sergio AMANCIO from the Institute of Materials Science, Joining and Forming was recognised by FEMS (Federation of European Materials Societies) with the prestigious FEMS Materials Innovation Medal for his research in the field of aerospace materials and manufacturing technology.
Mario KIRCHER, from the Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology received the Best PhD Oral Prize at the “3rd Symposium on Insights into Gas Diffusion Electrodes: From Fundamentals to Industrial Applications & Beyond the OER”.
Paul ZAUCHNER, Markus KETTLER and Harald UNTERWEGER (all from the Institute of Steel Structures) received a Best Paper Award for their joint contribution to the international conference SDSS (Stability and Ductility of Steel Structures).
The Institute of Urbanism was awarded the Austrian State Prize for Art and Culture (Österreichischer Staatspreis für Kunst und Kultur) in the “Austria’s Most Beautiful Books 2024” competition for their publication “Territorial Urbanism Now!” The competition is a collaboration between the Austrian Booksellers and Publishers Association and the Federal Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport (BMWKMS).
Lia GRUBER, was awarded the Austrian Energy Prize of Oesterreichs Energie and the Austrian Electrotechnical Association (OVE) for her doctoral thesis – supervised by Sonja WOGRIN, from the Institute of Electricity Economics and Energy Innovation. Maximilian MAGNES, also won the award for his master’s thesis – supervised by Uwe SCHICHLER from the Institute of High Voltage Engineering and System Performance.
Hanna Maria GLETTHOFER received the main prize for the Best Thesis in the Past Academic Year at the GAD Awards 2025 (Graz Architecture Diploma Prizes of the Faculty of Architecture). The Prize for Promotion of International Research (Reisepreis) went to Pia POLLAK, and Fabian STEINBERGER was awarded the Prize for Residential Housing (Wohnbaupreis). The Prize for Sustainability (Nachhaltigkeitspreis) was awarded to Marius BIRNBREIER, and Christian KEUSCHNIG received the Prize for Excellence in Design and Craftsmanship (Design- und Handwerkspreis).
Anita EMMERSTORFER-AUGUSTIN from the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology was awarded the Habilitation Prize (Habilitationspreis) of the Austrian Chemical Society (GÖCH) and the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW).
Michele BRUGGER-HATZL from the Institute of Electron Microscopy and Nanoanalysis received the Woman Award for a research project at ZFE Centre for Electron Microscopy Graz from the Austrian Cooperative Research (ACR).
In September, the “GuT on fire” team cycled to the top of TU Graz rankings in the Academic Bicycle Challenge, an international cycling competition for universities, with 7,994 kilometres completed. The “Bibliothek und Archiv” team followed closely behind with 7,148 kilometres and the “F&T Haus” team came in third with 1,997 kilometres cycled. In terms of kilometres cycled per team member, “Bibliothek und Archiv” achieved first place with 595 kilometres, ahead of “GuT on fire” (441 kilometres) and “F&T Haus” (249 kilometres).
At the OVE Power Engineering Awards of the Austrian Electrotechnical Association (OVE), Bernhard SCHOBER, from the Institute of High Voltage Engineering and System Performance received an award for his doctoral thesis. Maximilian Heinz BRESTAN, was recognised for his master’s thesis, written at the Institute of Electrical Power Systems.
The Austrian team KuK Hofhackerei, which also includes members of the TU Graz student team LosFuzzys (along with WE_0WN_Y0U, Sigflag, Team Austria), qualified for the prestigious DEF CON CTF hacking competition, placing 6th out of 1,300 teams and thus reaching the DEF CON CTF finals.
At the 19th Start-Up Idea Competition of Science Park Graz, TU Graz students Lukas REINISCH and Georg KURZMANN won in the category “Outer Space”.
Philipp LEITNER, Peter-Philipp PRANTER, Benedikt BRÜNNER, Martin EBNER (all from the OU Educational Technology) received the Best Paper Award 2025 at the EdMedia conference in Barcelona.
A research project from the Institute of Environmental Biotechnology was awarded the “Silver Thistle” (Silberdistel) ‒ the M. & W. Graf Biodiversity Prize of the State of Styria 2025 (category “Educational Institutions and Municipalities”).
The 18th Energy Innovation Symposium, themed “Europe’s Energy Future: Secure, Affordable, Clean?!” (Europas Energiezukunft: Sicher, leistbar, sauber?!) and organised by the Institute of Electricity Economics and Energy Innovation, received a Congress Award.
Chetna MADAN, and Sebastian ROHDE, from the Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology were selected by the Styrian Economic Chamber and the Steirische Wirtschaft magazine as one of the “Top 30 under 30” most promising young entrepreneurs of 2025 for their start-up, Duramea.
At the LIONS Dragon Boat university rowing regatta at the end of June, the TU Graz Tug-Tug-Team took 1st place, tying with a team from FH Campus 02.
For their theses written at TU Graz, Sebastian ROISER (1st prize), Peter REITHUBER, (1st prize), Severin HUEMER-KALS (2nd prize) and Julius Felix BAUMHAKEL (3rd prize) received awards by the Anniversary Foundation of the Austrian Association of the Automotive Industry (Fachverband der Fahrzeugindustrie Österreichs).
In 2025, the Science Prize of the Austrian Research Association (ÖFG) was awarded to Gabriele BERG from the Institute of Environmental Biotechnology.
Birgitta SCHULTZE-BERNHARDT from the Institute of Experimental Physics received an ERC Proof of Concept Grant.
The Styrian Economic Chamber awards annual research grants for diploma/master’s theses addressing topics of particular relevance to the Styrian economy. In the 2024/2025 academic year, Lukas EBNER (electrical engineering), Carina FIEDLER (computer science), Karin GRIESSMAIR (biomedical engineering), Enis KETAN (mechanical engineering) and Gerda LANGER (physics) received awards for their work at TU Graz.
The United States National Academy of Engineering elected Gerhard A. HOLZAPFEL from the Institute of Biomechanics as one of its international members. Furthermore, Gerhard A. Holzapfel also received a Solid Mechanics Prize from the European Mechanics Society and an Honorary Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Parma (Italy).
At the Steirerin Awards, Barbara SIMA-RUML from the Institute of Design and Building Typology was named “Die Kämpferin 2024”, an award honouring courageous and committed women.
Michael HOCHRAINER, from the Institute of Materials Science, Joining and Forming was awarded 3rd place at the 2025 StudienAWARDs of Dörrenberg Edelstahl GmbH.
Alexander BERGMANN from the Institute of Electrical Measurement and Sensor Systems received the IEEE Joseph F. Keithley Award in Instrumentation and Measurement.
Aikata AIKATA from the Institute of Information Security received the 2024 Critical Infrastructure Award from the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW).
Paul MAYR, from the Institute of Automation and Control received an Ernst Blickle Study Prize from the SEW-EURODRIVE Foundation.
TU Graz student Felix REIMÜLLER won the 2025 KNAPP coding contest in the student category.
Niklas PONTESEGGER, from the Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry was awarded the Giract European PhD in Flavor Research Award for his doctoral thesis.
Marlene KIENBERGER from the Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology was awarded a Josef Krainer Recognition Prize (Josef-Krainer-Würdigungspreis) by Steirisches Gedenkwerk. Furthermore, Alexander VENUS, from the Institute for Signal Processing and Speech Communication was also awarded a Josef Krainer Recognition Prize.
The LEAD Factory of the Institute of Innovation and Industrial Management at TU Graz is among the winners of the Factory Innovation Award by the Factory Innovation journal in the continuing education category.
Svenja HOLLSTEIN from the Institute of Design in Existing Structures and Architectural Heritage Protection and Armin STOCKER from the Institute of Construction and Design Principles were appointed to the Graz Old Town Expert Commission (Grazer Altstadtsachverständigenkommission).
Annette MÜTZE from the Institute of Electric Drives and Power Electronic Systems and her team won the 2025 Houska Prize of the B&C Private Foundation in the university research category.
At the Vienna Mathematics Competition in April, the NAWI Graz team (Benjamin ASTER, Julian FELLNER, Jakob GLIEDER, Silas MOSER, Felix REIMÜLLER) received the silver medal. In the individual competition, Benjamin Aster and Felix Reimüller also won gold, Silas Moser silver, and Julian Fellner bronze.
