STARTS Prize Award 2026 for Global Innovators (Up to €30,000)

The STARTS Prize 2026 is an initiative of the European Commission that honors pioneering collaborations at the intersection of science, technology, and the arts. The competition is currently open for submissions, offering a platform for global innovators to showcase projects that drive social, ecological, and economic innovation. 

The STARTS Prize 2026 honors innovative initiatives and partnerships that creatively integrate science, technology, creativity, and artistic practice to tackle pressing issues in industry, society, sustainability, and other fields. The award is a component of the STARTS project of the European Commission, which encourages innovation fueled by technology research and creative thinking.

STARTS Prize Details

• Grand Prizes: Two Grand Prizes, each with €20,000 in prize money, are awarded:
  • Innovative Collaboration: Honors high-impact partnerships between industry/technology and the artistic sectors.
  • Artistic Exploration: Recognizes artistic research that significantly influences the perception or application of technology.
• Regional Prizes: Specific regional editions, such as S+T+ARTS Prize Buen-Tek for South America, offer a total of €30,000 distributed among two to six projects.
• Exhibition: Winners will be featured at the Ars Electronica Festival 2026 in Linz, Austria, from September 9–13, 2026. 

Eligibility criteria & Submissions

• Who Can Apply: Artists, creative professionals, researchers, and companies worldwide are eligible, regardless of nationality.
• Project Status: Projects must be either completed or sufficiently advanced for jury evaluation; purely conceptual ideas are not accepted.
• Categories of Interest: The jury welcomes submissions in areas like AI, biotechnology, green tech, robotics, and smart cities.
• Submission Language: All entries must be submitted in English through the Official STARTS Prize Submission Platform.

Key Benefits & Prizes

• €20,000 Grand Prize (per category) — top winning projects receive significant cash rewards.
• Winners and selected projects are showcased at the Ars Electronica Festival 2026 — a major global event for innovation, creativity, and technology.
• Exposure to international networks of researchers, industry partners, cultural institutions, and funders.

Application Details

Visit the official STARTS Prize webpage: https://starts.eu/opportunities/starts-prize-2026/

1. Review submission guidelines and eligibility criteria on the portal.
2. Prepare your project submission, including a description, visuals or documentation supporting innovation and impact.
3. Submit online before the deadline 4 March 2026.

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