The European Commission's annual Prize for Citizen Science, one of the most prestigious citizen science awards in Europe, is preparing to announce its winners again this year. The results are expected in June, and the ceremony will take place in Linz in September.
The European Commission has entrusted Ars Electronica with organising this prestigious competition. The prize is part of the large Horizon Europe project IMPETUS and is awarded annually.
The prize is open to initiatives that operate in the European Research Area and involve citizens in scientific activity in pursuit of scientific progress and social benefit. The ceremony traditionally takes place at the Ars Electronica festival in September, and participation in the competition is free of charge.
Prize structure: the Grand Prize (EUR 60 000) for outstanding empowerment of civil society; two category prizes (EUR 20 000 each); 27 honorary mentions.
The 2025 Grand Prize was won by the HEROINES project, for involving Roma women in heritage research in Serbia. It is an inspiring example showing that the prize values not only technological but also social and humanities initiatives, which opens the door to Lithuanian researchers as well.
Lithuanian institutions that are carrying out or have carried out citizen science projects meet the participation criteria. Applications can be submitted every year in January-March.
You will find more information on the EU Prize for Citizen Science page, and about the IMPETUS project on the IMPETUS website.
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