Applications are now open for the 2026 STARTS Prize, a prestigious international competition celebrating pioneering collaborations at the intersection of science, technology, and the arts. The STARTS (Science, Technology and the Arts) Prize rewards projects that creatively apply technology while fostering innovative partnerships between artistic and scientific disciplines.
The competition is open globally and highlights bold ideas that demonstrate how artistic thinking can influence technological development and reshape innovation ecosystems.
Prize Categories and Awards
The STARTS Prize 2026 offers two Grand Prizes, each valued at €20,000, awarded to outstanding projects that exemplify creativity and innovation across disciplines.
Grand Prize – Innovative Collaboration
This category recognises groundbreaking collaborations between industry or technology partners and the artistic or creative sectors that open new pathways for innovation.
Grand Prize – Artistic Exploration
This prize honours artistic research and creative works whose engagement with technology has strong potential to influence, redefine, or transform how technologies are used and perceived.
In addition to the cash prize, winners will present their work at the Ars Electronica Festival 2026, one of the world’s leading festivals for art, technology, and society.
ALSO APPLY FOR:
Falling Walls Global Competition 2026 for Science Innovators
Who Can Apply?
- Artists and creative professionals
- Researchers, technologists, startups, and companies
- Cross-sector collaborations involving arts, science, and technology
- Applicants from Africa and around the world
- The competition is not limited to EU citizens
Application Timeline
- Submissions open: January 7, 2026
- Application deadline: March 4, 2026
- Jury review: April 16 – April 19, 2026
- Winners notified: By mid-May 2026
Prize Presentation
Winners will be officially honoured at the Ars Electronica Festival, taking place from 9–13 September 2026 in Linz, Austria. Selected projects will also be showcased through exhibitions and partner events worldwide.
Why Apply?
The STARTS Prize offers more than funding. It provides international visibility, access to influential innovation networks, and a global platform to showcase how African creativity and technological thinking can shape the future.
Application Deadline
March 4, 2026 (23:59 CET)
Apply for the STARTS Prize Africa
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