Written by The STARTS Prize 2026 — a prestigious innovation competition supported by the European Commission — is open for applications, inviting innovators, researchers, creative professionals, and teams from across the world (including Africa) to submit projects at the intersection of science, technology, and the arts.
What the STARTS Prize Is
The STARTS Prize 2026 celebrates groundbreaking collaborations and projects that creatively combine science, technology, innovation, and artistic practice to address real-world challenges in society, industry, sustainability, and beyond. The award is part of the European Commission’s STARTS initiative, which promotes innovation driven by artistic thinking and technological exploration.
Who Can Apply
This open call is global and inclusive — innovators, creators, researchers, companies, teams, and interdisciplinary groups are eligible to submit projects regardless of nationality. There is no geographic limitation, and entries from African innovators and teams are encouraged.
Projects should:
Combine technology and arts or creative practice
Demonstrate innovation and impact
Address challenges in fields such as green tech, material research, AI, smart cities, sustainability, HCI, biotech, and citizen empowerment
Show potential to influence perceptions or applications of technology in society and industry
Prizes & Benefits
- €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.
Note: Previous regional editions like STARTS Prize Africa offered a combined €30,000 prize pool with distinct award categories for African innovators.
How to Apply
- Visit the official STARTS Prize 2026 open call page:
https://starts.eu/opportunities/starts-prize-2026/ - Review submission guidelines and eligibility criteria on the portal.
- Prepare your project submission, including a description, visuals or documentation supporting innovation and impact.
- Submit online before the deadline (4 March 2026, 23:59 CET).