Kurt Zopf Prize – Details

Call Requirements

In memory of Mr. Kurt Zopf, a generous supporter of our institution, the University of Salzburg has been offering the Kurt Zopf Award, endowed with 10,000 euros, for members of the University since 2011. This award was intended to honor high-ranking and internationally recognized scientific publication achievements of already renowned scientists of the Salzburg University and to promote their further scientific career there.

 

Main features

SUBJECT AREAS: The prize was awarded annually, alternating between organization units of the University of Salzburg and the medium of publication.

The proposal call for the final procedure “Kurt Zopf Prize 2023/24” focused on publications from departments of the University of Salzburg covering the areas:

    • Department areas:

      humanities, cultural studies and/or social sciences, legal sciences, theology

    • Possible publishing medium: scientific journal articles respectively monographs (awarded separately)

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YEAR of PUBLICATION: The basis for the application within the call for proposals for the final procedure “Kurt Zopf Prize 2023/24” was an original scientific publication issued within the three calendar years preceding the award (i.e. 2020, 2021, 2022).

 

Jury:

To ensure a professional and objective evaluation procedure, submissions were evaluated by a jury consisting of senior, experienced, scientific experts, external to the University of Salzburg.

Jury Members for the final procedure “Kurt Zopf Prize 2023/24” have been:

  • Univ.-Prof. Dr. Melanie MALZAHN
  • Univ.-Prof. Dr. Manfred MATZKA
  • Hon.Prof. Dr. Lorenz MIKOLETZKY

 

Award Criteria:

  • Reputation of the publication media (publisher, etc.) within the research discipline
  • Originality of the publication (hypotheses, theories, models)
  • Novelty and scientific significance of the findings in the research discipline
  • Quality of the preparation of the subject (methodology, analysis and conclusions)
  • Presentation (content and style)
  • Multi-authorship: the applicant(s) contribution to the publication (explanations can be noted in the cover letter; max. 2 pages)
  • Publications written predominantly in Salzburg will be favored

 

Prize money:

  • The prize coud be shared.
  • Regarding the amount of money (e.g. € 6,000 gross): 80% (such as € 4,800 gross) of the total amount would be allotted for the recipient’s scientific work at the University of Salzburg. The remaining 20% (such as € 1,200 gross) could be used at the recipient’s discretion – after deducting the legally required tax payments. Respectively, if the awardee leaved the University of Salzburg, 20% (such as € 1,200 gross) should be considered as prize money.

 

Eligibility Criteria:

  • only habilitated members of the University of Salzburg with an active employment could apply for the Kurt Zopf Prize.
  • Scientific publication of work within the previous three calendar years (e.g. 2020/2021/2022).
  • One and the same publication could be submitted only once for the Kurt Zopf Prize.
  • Only one publication could be submitted.
  • Further award applications for the same publication had to be announced.

 

Application Procedure:

Applications had to include the following documents (preferably in electronic form):

  • Informal letter with contact information including physical and e-mail addresses and phone-numbers
  • A copy of the scientific publication;
  • Abstract of the publication
  • Reviews or other evaluations of the publication, if available (including Information about possible close relationship (e.g. coauthor, same department affiliation))

 

General Regulations:

  • All applicants were notified of the decision made.
  • Presentation of the Kurt-Zopf-Prize will take place within the “Night of Excellence”.

  • The jury’s decision is final. There is no legal recourse and no right to appeal.