BMFWF and OeAD award the Young Science Seal of Quality to 42 schools for excellence in research partnerships
On 8 June 2026, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research (BMFWF) and the OeAD presented the Young Science Seal of Quality for research partner schools ("Young Science Gütesiegel für Forschungspartnerschulen") for the eighth time at the Education Lab in Vienna. Forty-two schools from seven federal provinces were honoured for their successful collaborations with research institutions, their research-oriented school focus and the active involvement of pupils in research processes. The award-winning schools impressed the jury with these achievements. The jury was composed of experts from the sectors of research, science communication and school development. The ceremony was hosted by physicist and science journalist Florian Aigner.
“The award-winning schools impressively demonstrate how research and science can be brought to life in everyday school life. They create access, break down barriers and open up new perspectives for young people. It is crucial that education and science should not depend on the family home or traditional role models. My thanks go to the dedicated school heads and teachers: they foster curiosity, creativity and trust in science,” says Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner.
Of the 50 schools that submitted a valid application, 42 were awarded the certificate – twelve for the first time and 30 as part of a recertification process. The award-winning schools include 16 schools for intermediate vocational education and training, twelve academic secondary schools (AHS), eight primary schools and six compulsory secondary schools. Regionally, they are distributed as follows: twelve schools each in Vienna and Styria, nine in Upper Austria, five in Salzburg, two in Lower Austria, and one each in Tyrol and Carinthia.
“The research partner schools demonstrate just how diverse and dynamic education is conceived and practised today. Research collaborations open up new avenues for creative learning and show just how keen schools are to actively integrate science into the classroom. This commitment makes it clear that inquiry-based learning is a central component of a future-oriented educational landscape,” emphasises OeAD managing director Jakob Calice.
About the Young Science Seal of Quality
The Young Science Seal of Quality has been awarded by the Ministry of Science and the OeAD since 2012. It recognises schools that sustainably embed science and research in their school profile and actively involve their pupils in research processes. The seal is awarded for two years. Schools that have already received the award must demonstrate the further development of their research focus as part of the application process. A common feature of all research partner schools is the exceptional commitment and professionalism of their headteachers and teaching staff.
Four schools have held continuous certification since 2012: the HBLA Ursprung (S), the Akademisches Gymnasium Graz (Stmk), the BRG Keplerstraße (Stmk) and the HBLVA 17 for the Chemical Industry (W).
All Austrian state and private schools are eligible to apply for the quality seal, provided they carry out projects in which pupils participate in research processes. Involvement in research projects should also be reflected in the school’s profile and in research-oriented teaching programmes. Furthermore, it is not only individual pupils with a particular interest who should be involved in the projects, but entire school classes or larger groups.
To view the award-winning schools: www.youngscience.oead.at/forschungspartnerschulen
