European Union Prize for Citizen Science

Description

The European Union Prize for Citizen Science recognizes outstanding achievements in the advancement of knowledge through the empowerment of civil society in the development of the future. The Prize honors Citizen Science Initiatives in the European Research Area that enact change, expand knowledge, and demonstrate innovative Open Science processes that rethink existing practices while addressing social, cultural, environmental, educational, and political advancement. Citizen Science is demonstrated by “general public engagement in scientific research activities when citizens actively contribute to science either with their intellectual effort or surrounding knowledge, or with their tools and resources” (European Commission, 2014). The Prize invites submissions from a diverse range of initiatives that demonstrate outstanding examples of both citizens engaging with science and research, and scientists and researchers engaging with society. An initiative could consist of a project, a series of projects, an activity, or series of activities.

Beneficiary & submission

Submission process: To participate in the competition for the European Union Prize for Citizen Science, applicants must register in the submission platform on the Ars Electronica website and submit all mandatory information in English. A submission is complete and formally entered in the competition only if all information has been entered online and the submission has been finalized online before the official deadline. An entry confirmation will be sent out via e-mail as soon as all required documentation has been received. Further details on the submission process and the Eligibility and Admissibility criteria is available at https://ars.electronica.art/citizenscience/en/opencall/ Evaluation process: Eligible submissions will be evaluated by an independent expert jury according to the Award Criteria. The jury will remain anonymous until the announcement of the prize winners. Further information on the Award Criteria is available at https://ars.electronica.art/citizenscience/en/opencall/ Eligibility: The Prize is open to initiatives operating within a wide-ranging scope of scientific and social activities that engage citizens and aim to deliver scientific advancement and social benefits, support communities, and foster an open and inclusive civil society. The submitted initiatives/projects should not be older than two years or, if completed more than two years ago, must still show a significant update or further development through active work within the last two years. Examples of types of eligible initiatives include: (digital) humanities research engaging with citizens science engagement for and with citizens science and research communication with citizens as well as citizen engagement in science and research communication participatory and participatory artistic-led research science education that engages citizens and other outstanding initiatives in the field of citizen science e.g. in terms of activities and results, stakeholders involved, or policy impact A list of eligible countries can be viewed here. Schedule: Announcement and call for submissions: January 10, 2024 Deadline for submissions: March 11, 2024 Jury meeting: April 2024  Winner Announcement: June 2024 Award Ceremony: September 2024 at Ars Electronica Festival in Linz / Austria

Further information

citizenscience@ars.electronica.art Grand Prize: € 60.000 Diversity & Collaboration Award: € 20.000 Digital Communities Award: € 20.000