Věda a výzkum na UP: Rector's Prize: Research at Palacký University

Every year, the Rector of Palacký University awards several prizes. The Rector's Awards for 2025 were presented to the winners from among students and academic and non-academic staff during Academic Week on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the Metropol Cinema. The following awards were presented for 2025:

Rector's Awards for Best Student Theses and Sports Achievements

Every year, the Rector of Palacký University awards prizes for the best bachelor's and master's theses and sporting achievements of students. The list of award winners at the ceremony proves that the university is attended by creative and competitive students whose intellectual and sporting achievements are a sign of the high pedagogical and professional level of the university. They often successfully represent the University of Olomouc in competitions at the national and international level. Many of their works have practical applications.

Rector's Award for the Best Theses on Sustainability

Palacký University continues to strive to be fully environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. At the same time, it supports education and research in the field of sustainability. In the current academic year 2025/2026, the UP Rector's Award for the best sustainability-focused student work were presented for the second time.

Rector's Award for Popularization of Science and Communication with the Public

The Award for Popularization of Science and Communication with the Public recognizes academic staff and doctoral students at UP who regularly popularize and communicate their scientific and research activities to the public, thereby fulfilling the third mission of the university.

Candidates who have made a significant contribution to the popularization of science and research communication in a given year can be nominated. This can be through the media, direct communication with the public, or any other means of popularizing science and research knowledge and findings to the public.

Rector's Honorable Mentions to Students of Doctoral Programmes for a Professional Article

The awards are open to doctoral students, who can submit their academic articles. UP aims to support the creative work of these students and draw attention to interesting and thought-provoking texts.

Rector's Honourable Mentions to Authors of Professional Books

Another award presented by the rector of Palacký University recognizes the most significant book production by members of the academic community over the past period. The breadth of scientific interest covered by the selected monographs testifies to the scope of research at the faculties and their departments. The award-winning books address topics in theology, philosophy, psychology, history, art history, political science, and physical culture from various methodological perspectives.

Teaching Awards

For the first time in 2024, students were able to nominate their favorite teachers. The competition, which is being held for the second time this academic year, is divided into several rounds. Each student can select only one teacher and decides based on five criteria listed in the evaluation system. Nominees will be divided according to length of experience into candidates for the Teaching Junior Award (teachers with up to 5 years of experience) and the Teaching Senior Award (teachers with more than 5 years of experience).

Special Award for Non-Academic Staff

It is not only academics, researchers, and students who are an integral part of universities. Hundreds of other employees contribute to their operation. To highlight their irreplaceable roles, which are essential to the functioning of the academic world, Palacký University Olomouc presented its Special Awards for Non-Academic Staff for the third time. The winners are selected by the faculties, the CATRIN university institute, and the UP Rector's Office.

Research at Palacký University

Rector's Prize