On May 12, the CTAO Central Organisation announced the launch of the Werner Hofmann Scientific Award during the CTAO Consortium Meeting. The award aims to recognise outstanding PhD research in very high-energy gamma-ray astrophysics.

“The award is for PhD students who are currently enrolled or have completed their thesis within 12 months of the call opening, and whose contributions have been significant in either science or instrumentation development within the field,” says Roberta Zanin, CTAO Project Scientist and award coordinator.

Nominees’ research must focus on very high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray astronomy, with contributions in theoretical, observational, or instrumental areas. While the research does not need to be exclusively about the CTAO, it should have a clear and relevant connection to the project, either scientifically or technologically. The winner will receive a certificate, a commemorative medal, a monetary prize, and an invitation to present their work at the next CTAO Symposium, providing exposure to the broader multi-wavelength and multi-messenger astronomical community.

The award is named in honour of Werner Hofmann, a pioneer in high-energy gamma-ray astronomy, who played a key role in establishing Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) as essential tools for exploring the extreme Universe. He was a founding figure behind the CTAO concept and served as Spokesperson of the CTAO Consortium for over 15 years until last summer, making the Consortium Meeting the ideal occasion for the Central Organisation to announce the award.

“The award was discussed among members of various CTAO teams, and we hoped the announcement would come as a pleasant surprise to him—which, I believe, it did,” says Zanin. “It not only honours his outstanding contributions to CTAO’s scientific and technical progress, as well as his support for the next generation of researchers, but also stands as a lasting testament to his legacy for future generations.”

The call for the first Werner Hofmann Scientific Award, to be presented in autumn 2025, will open soon. Further information and guidelines are available on the dedicated webpage.