ESET Science Award for Outstanding Scientists

Scroll down

ESET Science Award since 2019

We believe in science. We recognize excellence. We connect the worlds of science and art.

Exceptional scientists deserve attention, respect and recognition, in order to become the source of inspiration for everyone in our society but especially for those making choices about their future.

Richard Marko
CEO at ESET

I believe that the ESET Science Award not only highlights the importance of scientific work to the public but also inspires others to bravely continue exploring new knowledge that has the power to change the world around us.

Emmanuelle Charpentier
2020 Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry

We need new generations of leaders who will lead the world to responsible and science-based solutions. The key benefit of the ESET Science Award in this is inspiration and recognition of how important science is for society.

Kip S. Thorne
2017 Nobel Prize Laureate

I applaud ESET Science Award, a private initiative to support excellence in research and education.It is a very important encouragement for science in Slovakia.

Sir Roger Penrose
2020 Nobel Prize laureate

The ESET Science Award recognises exceptional individuals of Slovak science and has been granted by the ESET Foundation annually since 2019 in the following categories:

Outstanding
Scientist
in Slovakia

The award is granted to an individual whose work in the past 10 years has exceptionally contributed to highlighting science in Slovakia, in the European or global science field, and which has a remarkable real or potential impact on other aspects of Slovak society.

Application

The nomination are closed.

Outstanding
Scientist in Slovakia
Under the Age of 35

The award is granted to a young scientist under the age of 35 whose activity may be regarded as an exceptional contribution to the Slovak scientific area with great potential for the future.

Application

The nomination are closed.

Outstanding
Academic
in Slovakia

The award is granted to an individual whose activities have delivered an exceptional academic contribution in their field and who has been motivating their students to achieve outstanding results, thus contributing to extending their interest in studying science.

Application

The nomination are closed.

Laureates

Mária Bieliková
Laureate in the category
Outstanding Scientist in Slovakia 2024

František Herman
Laureate in the category
Outstanding Scientist in Slovakia
Under the Age of 35 2024

Igor Farkaš
Laureate in the category
Outstanding Academic in Slovakia 2024

ESET Science Award laureates and finalists for the year 2023

International jury
The ESET Science Award laureates are selected by an international jury comprised of world known experts from various scientific fields. Each year, the role of chair of the international jury is held by a Nobel Prize Laureate, and under their guidance the jury presides over the selection and then the awarding of the laureates.
Emmanuelle Charpentier
Biochemistry
2020 Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry

Michael Reece
Material science
Jürgen Schukraft
Nuclear Physics
Subhashis Banerjee
Computer Science
Jan Trka
Oncology

Read more about our International jury members throughout the years

Envoys
The Envoys of the ESET Science Award are comprised of a group of scientists with a global reach. They represent the Award and its finalists and laureates internationally. Their aim is to spread worldwide awareness of science in Slovakia, of the exceptional scientists working in Slovakia, and to connect scientific institutions with each other.
Hana and Dalimil Dvořák
Chemists and philanthropes
Michal Valko
Machine learning scientist
Pavel Cheben
Photonics and integrated optics
Ruzena Bajcsy
Robotics and artificial intelligence

Science and Innovation: Tackling Climate and Health Challenges
Nobel Prize laureate Emmanuelle Charpentier, introduced us to the world of gene editing technology, which has applications not only in medical research, but also in the creation of new medicines, crops more resistant to climate and environmental change, and many other applications. The discussion with Professor Charpentier took place at the Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava and was moderated by Daniel Stach, a television professional, presenter of programmes such as Hyde Park Civilization and Veda24 on Czech Television.
More info

Award Ceremony of the ESET Science Award 2024
The announcement of the ESET Science Award laureates is an annual celebration of science in Slovakia. The gala event was attended by representatives of the scientific community from Slovakia and abroad, ambassadors, and representatives of state institutions in Slovakia. For the second year, the event took place under the auspices of the Representation of the European Commission in Slovakia. The laureates were announced in three categories: Outstanding Scientist in Slovakia, Outstanding Scientist in Slovakia under the age of 35, and Outstanding Academic in Slovakia. The event will be broadcast on October 10th at 20:10 on Dvojka.
Gallery

Science is the basis for improving people’s lives and our society. The ESET Science Awards are important as they illustrate the excellent and most promising examples of research performed in Slovakia. It is a great privilege and honor to be on the jury for this award.
Rob Pieters,
Chief Medical Officer at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology and Professor of Pediatric Oncology at the University of Utrech
The future of science is in the interdisciplinary efforts. We must turn down the walls between different disciplines and educate our future generation in the use of advanced technological tools and be aware of the foundational principles that govern our lives. This is what ESET Science Award is recognizing.
Ruzena Bajcsy,
Legend of Robotics, Professor Emeritus at the Universtity of California at Berkeley and at the of University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia
The promise of information technology was to bring detailed and safe information to everybody. In reality this is compromised by the intentional spread of false information and by attempts to do harm to users of information. ESET’s efforts, both as a company and through its award stand for safe and correct information, which is essential for progress in our times.
Erwin Neher,
1991 Nobel Prize Laureate
Science is an addictive and creative activity that requires inspiration and dedication. ESET Science Awards identify and celebrate people for whom science is the lifestyle and who contribute to progress of the society through research and discoveries. The ESET Science Awards define science achievements in Slovakia and delivers a very important message about the importance of science.
Yury Gogotsi,
Material Chemistry Scientist, Professor A.Y. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA
Science is the basis for improving people’s lives and our society. The ESET Science Awards are important as they illustrate the excellent and most promising examples of research performed in Slovakia. It is a great privilege and honor to be on the jury for this award.
Rob Pieters,
Chief Medical Officer at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology and Professor of Pediatric Oncology at the University of Utrech
The future of science is in the interdisciplinary efforts. We must turn down the walls between different disciplines and educate our future generation in the use of advanced technological tools and be aware of the foundational principles that govern our lives. This is what ESET Science Award is recognizing.
Ruzena Bajcsy,
Legend of Robotics, Professor Emeritus at the Universtity of California at Berkeley and at the of University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia
The promise of information technology was to bring detailed and safe information to everybody. In reality this is compromised by the intentional spread of false information and by attempts to do harm to users of information. ESET’s efforts, both as a company and through its award stand for safe and correct information, which is essential for progress in our times.
Erwin Neher,
1991 Nobel Prize Laureate
Science is an addictive and creative activity that requires inspiration and dedication. ESET Science Awards identify and celebrate people for whom science is the lifestyle and who contribute to progress of the society through research and discoveries. The ESET Science Awards define science achievements in Slovakia and delivers a very important message about the importance of science.
Yury Gogotsi,
Material Chemistry Scientist, Professor A.Y. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA
Science is the basis for improving people’s lives and our society. The ESET Science Awards are important as they illustrate the excellent and most promising examples of research performed in Slovakia. It is a great privilege and honor to be on the jury for this award.
Rob Pieters,
Chief Medical Officer at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology and Professor of Pediatric Oncology at the University of Utrech

News
News
Challenger Science final: supporting entrepreneurship of scientists in Slovakia

Statement of the ESET Foundation Board

“Starmus Earth: the future of our home planet” launched in Bratislava

ESET Foundation and Civitta launch the second year of the Challenger Science programme
More News

Organiser
Main partner
Partners
Media partners

Under the auspices of the Representation of the European Commission in the SR