Applications are now open for the STARTS Prize 2026, a yearly innovation competition supported by the European Commission that celebrates projects at the intersection of science, technology and the arts.
This open call invites creators, researchers, companies and interdisciplinary teams from anywhere in the world to submit work that combines artistic practice with technological and scientific insight.
Benefits of Participation
- The STARTS Prize awards two Grand Prizes, each valued at €20,000, to selected projects that meet the competition’s criteria.
- Innovative Collaboration, which recognises partnerships between creative, technological or industrial actors with impactful outcomes.
- Artistic Exploration, which highlights artistic research and creative work that influences how technology is perceived, applied or understood.
- Winners gain international exposure and are invited to present their work at the Ars Electronica Festival 2026 in Linz, Austria, and at partner events organised by programme collaborators across Europe.
Eligibility for Participation
- Artists and creative professionals
- Researchers and scientists
- Individuals, teams or organisations involved in projects that combine artistic creativity with scientific or technological research
- Eligible projects should bring together artistic and technological elements in ways that advance innovation, education, societal inclusion or sustainability.
There are no restrictions based on nationality or residence. Anyone with a qualifying project can submit.
Thematic Areas
The competition welcomes submissions in fields such as new media applications, human–computer interaction, biotechnology, material research, AI, smart cities, citizen empowerment, robotics and other areas where arts and technology intersect.
How to Apply
The deadline for applications is Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Interested innovators should visit the STARTS Prize 2026 open call page to review entry guidelines and upload their submission.
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