FNR Awards 2025

Annual awards - FNR Awards

Since 2009, the FNR has been awarding prizes in order to nurture communication between researchers and promote scientific activities aimed at the general public and young people.

In 2025, the prize categories were as follows:

• Outstanding PhD Thesis: this prize is awarded to an individual who has completed their PhD with a thesis of outstanding scientific quality.

•  Outstanding Scientific Achievement: this prize was a new feature of the 2021 edition, combining the former categories of Outstanding Scientific Publication and Outstanding Research-based Innovation. As such, the FNR wants to shine a light on the research teams and draw attention to the work of passionate individuals who are working to generate an impact in the fields of science and society.

•  Outstanding Promotion of Science to the Public: this prize can be awarded to individuals, institutions or non-profit associations that have successfully contributed to promoting science in the public domain in Luxembourg.

•  Outstanding Mentor: this prize was also a new feature of the 2021 edition. The objective was to recognise the important but sometimes under-appreciated role of mentors in the field of research. In fact, good mentoring goes further than just nurturing professional scientific development, as it conveys the values of integrity, credibility and diversity in new independent researchers.

Three questions to Didier Goossens, Head of Communication at FNR

This year marks the 17th edition of the FNR Awards. What was the reason for creating this successful event in the first place? Why is such an event still so important today?

In 2009, the FNR launched the FNR Awards for one simple reason: The research of outstanding quality deserves to be publicly recognised. But not only in academic circles. The idea was also to show the general public that Luxembourg research, although young, can produce important discoveries, engage with society and inspire. At the time, only two categories existed: one for promoting science to the public, the other for outstanding scientific publications. Since then, the ceremony has been expanded to include an award for the best doctoral theses and, more recently, a category dedicated to exceptional scientific achievements (this category replaces the scientific publications category), as well as a category recognising "mentors". Today, more than ever, this spotlight is crucial: In a world saturated with information, giving public research a face and a voice helps to increase its visibility, but above all its relevance to society.

Over the years, many different researchers and research projects have won awards. Were there one or two projects that particularly stood out from the crowd?

It is difficult to choose, as each award-winning project tells a powerful story of determination, intuition or rigour. There has been research on the language of cancer cells, migration in Luxembourg or artificial intelligence applied to healthcare. What do they have in common? A desire to increase knowledge while addressing specific challenges. Rather than mentioning one or two projects, I would prefer to invite everyone to visit our website, where short videos present the winners. These are true portraits of explorers of knowledge, and sometimes they make you want to go back to study!

How have the FNR Awards evolved over the years? And what new features can we expect in the future?

The event has changed considerably. Initially less well known, it has established itself as a highlight of the calendar. The health crisis of 2020 pushed us to innovate: a 100% digital edition, similar to a television programme, followed by a hybrid format in 2021, which significantly increased our audience. Since then, we have sought to combine rigour and emotion, making science accessible without oversimplifying it. What are we planning for the future? Continue to surprise, inspire and build bridges between science and the public. The FNR Awards are not just a prize: they are an invitation to view research as a human and collective adventure.