News

On the trail of the Big Bang: University of Graz receives 1.5 million euros for doctoral programmes

The Austrian Science Fund FWF has selected the Doctoral Programme in Theoretical Particle Physics at the University of Graz for funding from the Doc.funds. Six young scientists will be funded for 3.5 years. They will gain fundamentally new insights into the origins of the world.

Teamwork: 100 pupils take part in maths competition at the University of Graz

Four clever guts per group, increasingly tricky tasks, 120 minutes: these were the requirements for the international maths competition Náboj junior, which took place in Graz for the first time this year. The team from BG/BRG/BORG Hartberg was able to answer the most questions within the given limit - 29 - and thus won the competition.

Graduated 50 years ago: Golden Doctorate for alumni of the University of Graz

56 graduates of the University of Graz who earned their doctorates 50 years ago renewed their doctoral oath during a ceremony in the auditorium on 18 November 2025. Rector Peter Riedler and Vice-Rector Catherine Walter-Laager awarded the jubilarians their "golden doctoral diplomas".

Bio-plastics and baroque theatre: Awards for two researchers from the University of Graz

Chemist Katalin Barta Weissert received this year's "Forschungspreis des Landes Steiermark", while Germanist Christian Neuhuber received the "Erzherzog-Johann-Forschungspreis". The awards are endowed with 12,000 euros each and are presented for outstanding achievements in the field of science and research. Provincial Councillor Willibald Ehrenhöfer presented the awards on 7 November 2025 in the White Hall of Graz Castle.

EU supports team led by molecular biologist Brigitte Pertschy with around ten million euro

The European Research Council (ERC) is funding the snoOPERA project with around ten million euros to research the structure of cellular protein factories. The four researchers involved want to clarify how tiny RNA-protein complexes control the formation of ribosomes—a key to understanding diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's.

Maths made easy: how gaming elements motivate children to practise

Where does the six belong on a number line from one to ten? This task is a challenge for children with dyscalculia. For fear of failure, many are reluctant to tackle the exercise in the first place. A playful approach can remove this obstacle and give the affected pupils more self-confidence, as psychologist Manuel Ninaus found out in a study.

Sebastian Preissl researches mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases

They are among the most common causes of death worldwide: cardiovascular diseases. Both genetic factors and lifestyle can be responsible for changes in the cells of the heart, thereby impairing the function of the organ. Sebastian Preissl, who has been Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Graz for a year, is researching how molecular mechanisms alter gene activity and what role this plays in the development of diseases.

Preserving natural heritage: International student group learns in open-air laboratory

How can the age of trees be determined? Which plants grow where, and how do satellites and remote sensing sensors help with mapping? How are birdsong and forest structure related? How can I collect environmental DNA to learn about biodiversity? Students from Austria, Germany and Italy explored these and other questions last week in the Gesäuse and Kalkalpen National Parks. They collected data, evaluated it and documented the results in reports. Experts from the participating universities and national parks accompanied them.

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Green Academia Award for Earth Sciences, Business Administration and History

A high number of publications in prestigious research journals in combination with climate-friendly behaviour when it comes to international business…

Reich an Vielfalt: Botanischer Garten gewinnt Wettbewerb zu wildlebenden Arten

Der Botanische Garten der Universität Graz ist nicht nur eine der schönsten Oasen der Stadt. Die 2,8 Hektar große Fläche gehört auch zu den…

PFAS in honey bees: Insects enable monitoring of pollutants in the environment

PFAS – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – have increasingly come under scrutiny in recent years as so-called “forever chemicals”. These…

Milestone for medical research

Omega-3 fatty acids are known to be an essential part of a healthy diet. As humans cannot produce them, they have to be consumed in sufficient…

When will we run out of water? Geologists analyse springs in the Alps

More water in winter, a drastic drop in summer: Austria's springs are still abundant enough throughout the year. In the long term, however, climate…

Styrian Economic Chamber awards scholarships to three students at the University of Graz

In their Master's theses, Daniela Pinter, Elena Pusca and Leonie Sayer are focussing on topics that are of particular importance to the economy. On 1…

Signals from the roots: how the plant hormone cytokinin influences flowering

Many do it in spring, others wait a little longer and some really get going in winter – when a plant begins to flower is controlled by various…

Researchers at the University of Graz enable reliable monitoring of Paris climate goals

Global warming is continuously advancing. How quickly this will happen can now be predicted more accurately than ever before, thanks to a method…