The Young Researcher Award in Geographic Information Science was presented each year to up to three junior scientists in the wider fields of Geoinformatics and Geographic Information Science for already having made a significant contribution to this discipline. The intent of this award was to publicly recognize researchers early in their careers for notable innovation and as an encouragement towards further achievements.
This Award was presented to individuals, typically under the age of 35, acknowledging publications enhancing the body of Geoinformatics or GIScience literature. For careers inquiring special considerations (e.g. interruptions to provide care etc.), the age restriction was raised to 40.
Annual calls for submitting applications for the award were issued by the Austrian Academy of Sciences through its Commission for Geographic Information Science. Recipients have been acknowledged with a citation and a cash stipend of € 1500 split among recipients.
The prize winners were decided by an awards committee set up by the Commission for GIScience of the OeAW.