Mathematics
Doc. Erin Claire Carson, Ph.D.
Neuron Award for Promising Scientists
Neuron Awards 2025
Through their stories, the Neuron Award laureates show that science is not a solitary discipline but a living space where ideas, people and fields meet. Scientific work comes about through cooperation, sharing and the courage to ask new questions. It is curiosity that connects basic research with practice, the individual with the community, and science with society. The motto of the Neuron Awards 2025 therefore became Curiosity Connects — a reminder that real progress happens where different perspectives meet and where the desire for knowledge has room to grow. The ceremony of the prestigious Neuron Awards took place in January 2026 at the Prague Planetarium — a symbolic place that underlined the boundless dimension of human curiosity and knowledge.
Neuron Award categories
Neuron Rising Star
We give the Neuron Rising Star Award to exceptionally talented young scientists who are already achieving outstanding results early in their careers and have the potential to shape the future of Czech and world science. It comes with a financial prize of CZK 500,000, and its aim is to create room for further professional growth, international development and stable conditions for continuing scientific work.
For Promising Scientists
We give this award to Czech scientists for the results they have achieved so far and as encouragement for their further work. The Neuron Award for Promising Scientists comes with a financial prize of CZK 500,000 and is decided by the scientific board in seven fields — mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, computer science and social sciences.
For Connecting Science and Business
This award goes to scientists who have carried out an exceptional science transfer — whose discovery or invention has moved from basic research to commercial use. The Neuron Award for Connecting Science and Business is presented by the Neuron Council; the laureates are rewarded with the chance of mentoring, media coverage and a connection to Neuron's business community. The guarantor of this award is Martina Benešová-Schäfer.
For Fostering Love of Science
The award for fostering a love of science goes to an astrophysicist and populariser of science whose work awakens enthusiasm in younger generations, shows them the beauty of science and helps them on their way to scientific knowledge. The award has been presented since 2025 and comes with a financial prize of CZK 500,000, which makes it unique in Czechia.
Laureates
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Social sciences
Doc. PhDr. Michal Smetana, Ph.D.
Neuron Award for Promising Scientists
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Physics
RNDr. Michal Vališka, Ph.D.
Neuron Award for Promising Scientists
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Medicine
Doc. MUDr. Tomáš Jelínek, Ph.D.
Neuron Award for Promising Scientists
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Computer science
Mgr. Václav Rozhoň, Ph.D.
Neuron Award for Promising Scientists
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Chemistry
Ing. Vít Svoboda, Dr.
Neuron Award for Promising Scientists
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Biology
Mgr. Zuzana Hofmanová, Dr.
Neuron Award for Promising Scientists
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Chemistry
Václav Verner
Neuron Rising Star
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Physics
RNDr. Jiří Grygar, CSc.
Neuron Award for Fostering Love of Science
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Medicine
Prof. MUDr. Eva Kubala Havrdová, CSc.
Neuron Award for Lifetime Contribution to Science
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Chemistry
Adalid Sciences s.r.o.
Neuron Award 2025 for Connecting Science and Business
Videos and medallions
Photo gallery from the awards ceremony
Download the yearbook with our laureates
Would you like to know more about the awarded scientists? Browse our yearbook, full of photographs and stories about the Neuron Awards 2025 laureates.
Be informed
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