The European Union Prize for citizen science
The European Union Prize for Citizen Science recognizes outstanding achievements in the advancement of knowledge through the empowerment of civil society for the development of the future.
The Prize honors Citizen Science Initiatives in the European Research Area that enact change, expand knowledge, and demonstrate innovative Open Science processes that rethink existing practices while addressing social, cultural, environmental, educational, and political advancement.
Citizen Science is demonstrated by “general public engagement in scientific research activities when citizens actively contribute to science either with their intellectual effort or surrounding knowledge, or with their tools and resources” (European Commission, 2014).
The Prize invites submissions from a diverse range of initiatives that demonstrate outstanding examples of both citizens engaging with science and research, and scientists and researchers engaging with society. An initiative could consist of a project, a series of projects, an activity, or series of activities.
Submission deadline: March 10, 2025!
Photo: INCREASE consortium
Scope
The Prize is open to initiatives operating within a wide-ranging scope of scientific and social activities that engage citizens and aim to deliver scientific advancement and social benefits, support communities, and foster an open and inclusive civil society.
The Prize is awarded annually by Ars Electronica on behalf of the European Commission. The Prize ceremony takes place at Ars Electronica Festival in September. No fees are charged to enter the competition. Each application has to refer to a project that, at the time of submission, is either completed or advanced enough as indicated by e.g. preliminary outcomes to allow the jury to assess its merit. In addition, the submitted initiatives/projects should not be older than two years or, if completed more than two years ago, must still show a significant update or further development through active work within the last two years.
Examples of types of eligible initiatives include:
- Citizen Science projects with outstanding engagement methodologies
- (digital) humanities research engaging with citizens
- science engagement for and with citizens
- science and research communication with citizens as well as citizen engagement in science and research communication
- participatory and participatory artistic-led research
- science education that engages citizens
- and other outstanding initiatives in the field of citizen science e.g. in terms of activities and results, stakeholders involved, or policy impact
Grand Prize: € 60.000
Diversity & Collaboration Award: € 20.000
Digital Communities Award: € 20.000
Read more about the Prize Categories
Initiatives that respond to the strategic orientations for research and innovation in the European Research Area are particularly encouraged to submit. This includes initiatives that demonstrate excellence in:
- promoting an open strategic autonomy by leading the development of key digital, enabling and emerging technologies, sectors and value chains to accelerate and steer the digital and green transitions through human-centred technologies and innovations;
- restoring Europe’s ecosystems and biodiversity, and managing sustainably natural resources to ensure food security and a clean and healthy environment;
- making Europe the first digitally enabled circular, climate-neutral and sustainable economy through the transformation of its mobility, energy, construction and production systems;
- creating a more resilient, inclusive and democratic European society, prepared and responsive to threats and disasters, addressing inequalities and providing high-quality health care, and empowering all citizens to act in the green and digital transitions.*
* Cf. European Commission: Horizon Europe Strategic Plan (2021 – 2024). 2021. For details on these aspects, cf. Haklay, Muki, Motion, Alice, Balázs, Bálint, Kieslinger, Barbara, Greshake Tzovaras, Bastian, Nold, Christian, Dörler, Daniel, Fraisl, Dilek, Riemenschneider, Dorte, Heigl, Florian, Brounéus, Frederik, Hager, Gerid, Heuer, Katja, Wagenknecht, Katherin, Vohland, Katrin, Shanley, Lea, Deveaux, Lionel, Ceccaroni, Luigi, Weißpflug, Maike, … Wehn, Uta. (2020). ECSA’s Characteristics of Citizen Science. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3758668
Schedule
Announcement and call for submissionsJanuary 7, 2025
Final deadline for submissionsMarch 10, 2025
Jury meetingApril 2025
Winners’ announcementJune 2025
Award CeremonySeptember 3 – 7, 2025
at Ars Electronica Festival in Linz / Austria
Winners of the Prize will be notified by end of April 2025. In the interest of all applicants, we request that the applicant (or a representative named by them) be available during the period when winners will be notified via the contact specified in the entry form. If the winner is not responsive within a period of four weeks, Ars Electronica reserves the right to award the prize to the next applicant on the shortlist.
