European Union Prize for Citizen Science: Open for Submissions

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• More about the European Union Prize for Citizen Science & the categories
• About the Ars Electronica Festival 2025

(Linz, January 10, 2025) The European Union Prize for Citizen Science honors initiatives that promote exchange between science and the general public and contribute to an inclusive society through collaborative research approaches. Submissions are open until March 10, 2025.

Citizen science means that committed laypeople become actively involved in scientific projects and help shape the research process. In dialog with scientists, they develop research questions, collect data, report observations, and interpret surveys. The goal is to collaborate on scientific projects for the benefit of all.

The European Union Prize for Citizen Science recognizes initiatives that use research, innovation, engagement and creativity for the benefit of our society and is implemented as part of the IMPETUS project. Ars Electronica in Linz has been commissioned to run the competition.

100,000 Euros in Prize Money

The European Union Prize for Citizen Science – Grand Prize, worth €60,000, and two awards, each worth €20,000, will be awarded among all submissions.

The Diversity & Collaboration Award recognizes projects that break new ground in collaboration, promote cultural and gender diversity, develop participatory formats, and foster social inclusion.

The Digital Communities Award recognizes initiatives that use digital technologies to educate and empower communities, promoting an open and inclusive civil society.

In addition, 27 Honorary Mentions will be awarded, illustrating the diversity of countries and disciplines using citizen science as a method.

Award Ceremony in September 2025

The award ceremony will take place at the Ars Electronica Festival (September 3-7, 2025). The most innovative citizen science projects of the year will be exhibited during the festival week.

Ars Electronica awards the European Union Prize for Citizen Science on behalf of the European Commission in the context of the IMPETUS project. IMPETUS is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 101058677 and implemented in collaboration with Zabala Innovation, King’s College London, European Science Engagement Association EUSEA, NESTA, Science for Change, and T6 Ecosystems.