EIT Awards 2026

Meet the changemakers, entrepreneurs and teams driving innovation across Europe and join us for the EIT Awards 2026 on 2 December in Budapest! The EIT Community’s annual awards ceremony will celebrate outstanding innovators turning ideas into impact across Europe with the support of the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs).

The EIT Awards 2026 Ceremony will bring together around 200 participants in Budapest, with audiences across Europe also able to follow the event online. Policymakers, investors, higher education institutions, research organisations and EIT Community members will come together for an afternoon of inspiring pitches, high-level discussions, keynote contributions and the announcement of this year’s EIT Award winners.

Celebrating Europe’s innovation community

The EIT Awards recognise outstanding innovators, entrepreneurs and teams from across the EIT Community whose work demonstrates the power of innovation to address societal challenges and create positive change.

Finalists will compete in three jury-selected categories:

• EIT Changemaker Award – highlighting leaders within the EIT Community whose activities and achievements generate significant social impact.
• EIT Innovation Team Award – celebrating diverse teams that have developed a unique product, service or process with high added value and breakthrough potential.
• EIT Venture Award – recognising successful startups within the EIT Community that address societal challenges and demonstrate strong growth potential.

• The EIT Public Award will give audiences across Europe the opportunity to choose their favourite finalist through an online vote opening in November.

Each jury-selected award comes with monetary prizes of EUR 50 000 for first place, EUR 30 000 for second place and EUR 20 000 for third place. The EIT Public Award will recognise one winner.

Mark 2 December 2026 in your calendar and join us in Budapest – or follow the ceremony online – to celebrate the people and ideas driving innovation across Europe.

More information on registration, speakers and the detailed programme will be announced soon.

Register for the event