Call for Applications: Josef Pleil Research Award of the Austrian Hail Insurance 2025

The Josef Pleil Research Award of the Austrian Hail Insurance supports innovative research projects in viticulture and fruit growing, carried out by master’s or bachelor’s students or PhD candidates.

Each year, one scientific project is funded, addressing current, practical issues in viticulture with innovative concepts. Research projects focusing on sustainability and quality assurance under changing environmental conditions are the focus of this call. Planned or ongoing projects supervised at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in cooperation with the Department of Viticulture and Fruit Growing can be submitted. A key evaluation criterion for the selection is the connection between basic research and applied research.
With the awarded funding of €3,000, expenses related to personnel, materials, and travel directly associated with the project can be covered.


Application Submission: Deadline March 30, 2025

Submission documents (in PDF format, in German or English):

• Project describtion (3-page dossier, A4)
• Recommendation letter from the supervising institution
• Motivation letter for conducting the project
• CV oft he applicant
• Submit digitally to researchfunds(at)boku.ac.at


Selection Process
The award decision will be made by the selection committee, which consists of two representatives from the Austrian Hail Insurance and two representatives from BOKU (the rector and the head of the Department of Viticulture and Fruit Growing).

Presentation, Publication, IPR
The award will be presented during an academic ceremony at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU). Matters related to Intellectual Property Rights will be governed by applicable legal and university regulations, as well as any additional agreements with project partners.

Application Call (PDF)


Information
Martina Ragoner +43 1 47654-33011
Johanna Stöger +43 1 47654-33017 
Forschungsservice Peter Jordan Straße 70, 1190 Wien
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien 
researchfunds(at)boku.ac.at