Young Academics Award 2026
The award that promotes young and innovative research on Alpine topics
Research and innovation are key elements for promoting sustainable development in the Alps. Young researchers play a crucial role in this, helping to shape the future of the Alpine region. The aim of the Young Academics Award is to recognize this key role by honoring outstanding master's theses on relevant Alpine topics. The award is presented every two years and is an initiative of the Presidency and the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention in collaboration with the International Scientific Committee on Research in the Alps (ISCAR), whose office is managed by FoLAP.
This edition of the Young Academics Award will focus on ‘The Alpine water cycle and cryosphere in a changing climate: dynamics, impacts, and responses’. Submissions on the following related sub-themes are welcome:
- Dynamics of the water cycle and the cryosphere
- Impacts on natural hazards, nature, and ecosystems
- Responses through technical measures and in the social dimension.
Successful applicants can win one of the twelve available prizes worth up to €1.000; in addition to the three main prizes there are also nine prizes from Alpine Convention partners.
Applications must be submitted by 31 July 2026. Early-bird applicants (until 31 March 2026) are also eligible to receive one of ten free admissions to the ForumAlpinum Summer School! All information on the Award’s admission criteria, prizes, as well as the application form are available here.
The 2026 edition of the Young Academics Award is an initiative of the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention and ISCAR. It is supported by the Italian Presidency of the Alpine Convention, hosted by the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE), and the Department of Regional Affairs and Autonomies (DARA) of the Italian Government. Additional support is provided by eight Alpine Convention Infopoints, the Virtual Alpine Observatory (VAO) and the University of Aosta Valley.
