The Ambassador of Austria to the United States, Dr. Christian Prosl, awarded Cohen the decoration (Oesterreichische Ehrenkreuz fuer Wissenschaft und Kunst, Erste Klasse)at a ceremony at the embassy in Washington on November 12, 2009.
This award is a career achievement award for scholars, scientists, and artists both in Austria and other countries who have served the cause of scholarship, sciences and arts in or about Austria.
Cohen was cited for his books and articles on 19th century Austrian and Habsburg history as well as his leadership of the Minnesota Center for Austrian Studies and service as executive editor of the Austrian History Yearbook over the last eight years.
