Submissions
You can apply for the Simon Wiesenthal Prize in your own right – as an individual or as a group – or nominate another person or group for the Simon Wiesenthal Prize. Entries can only be submitted during the submission period. The date on which the entry is received by the National Fund is deemed to be the date of submission. Entries received after this date cannot be considered. To submit an entry, the online application form must be used.
Announcement of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize 2024
The National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism invites individuals and groups from civil society to submit an entry for the Simon Wiesenthal Prize 2024. Candidates’ work and activities must focus on and be characterised by outstanding civic engagement to combat antisemitism and/or promote Holocaust education.
Special criteria for the award include:
- active contribution to a civil society project countering antisemitism
- addressing antisemitism both critically and pro-actively
- special commitment to promoting education about the Holocaust and its consequences
- commitment to promoting activities and/or measures to counteract antisemitism.
The candidates’ work and activities must actively communicate, consolidate and disseminate knowledge about the Holocaust, enhance and foster understanding in society of the mechanisms and consequences of antisemitism, and raise awareness of the dangers of contemporary antisemitism. In particular, sensitivity, awareness and understanding should be developed wherever and whenever a special focus is to be placed on promoting a critical attitude towards antisemitism.
Individuals and/or groups may be nominated or may apply.
The Simon Wiesenthal Prize is endowed annually with a total of 30,000 euros and is awarded in two categories:
- civic engagement to combat antisemitism (7,500 euros)
- civic engagement to promote Holocaust education (7,500 euros).
In addition, a main prize endowed with 15,000 euros will be awarded for outstanding civic engagement to combat antisemitism and/or promote Holocaust education.
Further details as well as the conditions of participation are contained in the guidelines available on the Simon Wiesenthal Prize website https://www.wiesenthalpreis.at. Participants are cordially invited to submit their application or nomination electronically on the website https://www.wiesenthalpreis.at from 13 March 2024 until 30 June 2024.
Address:
National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism
Dr. Karl Renner-Ring 3, A-1017 Vienna
wiesenthalpreis@nationalfonds.org
Process
Frequently Asked Questions
Prospective prizewinners have made an outstanding contribution – through projects, initiatives or in other meaningful ways – towards combating antisemitism and/or educating the public about the Holocaust by
- actively fostering, consolidating and imparting knowledge and awareness about the Holocaust;
- raising awareness in society about the dangers of antisemitism in the present;
- increasing understanding of the mechanisms and consequences of antisemitism and thereby strengthening democratic culture in everyday life;
- acting as a beacon of civil courage, thereby highlighting the value and importance of the involvement of each and every individual;
- advocating for measures to counteract antisemitism and all forms of Holocaust relativisation;
- fostering understanding and sensitivity in areas where a critical attitude towards antisemitism should be particularly encouraged;
- contributing to the development of a common awareness in the fight against antisemitism
- or otherwise contributing towards a culture of remembrance that is innovative, sustainable and dedicated to educating people.
Special consideration will be given to projects, initiatives and achievements that create fresh impetus and place new accents, that set an example for others and appear capable of having a lasting impact on the present and the future.
Yes. Candidates may submit an entry in their own right or be nominated by a third party.
Yes. Also eligible to submit an entry are, for example, civil society organisations such as clubs, associations, foundations, non-profit limited liability companies; interest groups, regional affiliations such as local clubs and associations, i.e. organisations emerging from the middle and grassroots of society; human rights organisations; non-governmental organisations; welfare institutions, cultural organisations, educational and training institutions; youth organisations, family associations, students and student groups, apprentices and apprentice groups, as well as youth and schoolchildren groups.
Yes. Individuals or groups from civil society in Austria or abroad can submit an entry or be nominated for the Simon Wiesenthal Prize, regardless of their nationality.
The Board of Trustees will choose the prizewinners on the basis of the shortlist drawn up by the Simon Wiesenthal Prize Jury.
Candidates will be assessed by the Simon Wiesenthal Prize Jury on the merits of their entries and in accordance with the Rules of Procedure issued by the Board of Trustees.
The Simon Wiesenthal Prize Jury will assess the candidates on the sole basis of the information contained in the submitted documents and submit a shortlist of potential prizewinners to the Board of Trustees within four weeks, providing reasons for its shortlisted entries in writing. The jury may shortlist up to five candidates and rank them in assessed order of merit.
The Simon Wiesenthal Prize is endowed with an annual sum of 30,000 euros. It is awarded in two categories:
- Civic engagement to combat antisemitism (7,500 €)
- Civic engagement to promote Holocaust education (7,500 €)
In addition, a main prize endowed with 15,000 € will be awarded for outstanding civic engagement to combat antisemitism and/or promote Holocaust education.
Entries must be submitted online using the form available on the Simon Wiesenthal Prize website. Attachments must be uploaded electronically.
The entry should state why the candidate(s) would be (a) worthy recipient(s) of the prize and demonstrate the candidate’s achievements in the areas set out in the Prize Announcement.
On the entry form the candidate must provide all information required by the National Fund to
- ensure that the candidate meets the formal entry requirements
- examine whether the activities subject of the entry comply with the objectives of the prize