In its latest edition, the European Commission will award the Horizon Impact Award, a prize dedicated to European projects that have positively affected society throughout Europe and beyond. It acknowledges and rewards the most influential and impactful results of EU research and innovation programmes, including Horizon 2020 (2014-2020) and its predecessor, the 7th Framework Programme (FP7, 2007-2013).
The Horizon Impact Award 2022, which has increased prize money and more winners following the success of the pilot editions in 2019 and 2020, returns in 2022 after a successful pilot edition in 2019. Six champions will be awarded €25 000 each in the 2022 edition.
The prize will recognize concrete achievements that have demonstrable value for society, as well as the people who made it happen. Only FP7 and Horizon 2020 projects that have ended by the contest’s close and can demonstrate their impact are eligible. A total of €25 000 will be awarded to each of the six winners.
Applications for the contest are being accepted until 8 March 2022. A dedicated award ceremony will be held in Brussels in 2022 to announce the winners.
With this award, we want to demonstrate how EU investments in research and innovation can benefit broader socio-economic interests, and encourage and inspire project beneficiaries to use their research results to create value for society.
The winning projects from 2020 contributed to the European Green Deal, developed a new technological field with applications in a range of industries, improved the quality of life for children with end-stage heart failure awaiting heart transplants, protected the marine ecosystem, and contributed to the preservation of European cultural heritage.
In 2019, the winning projects developed a drug for a rare disease, developed an energy-efficient humidification system, prevented child abuse, and helped coastal areas deal with climate change.
