Themes for 2026–2027
The themes of the 2026–2027 programme are:
- All-electric society
- Clean energy
- Cybersecurity
- AI-based automation
- Evolving digital standards (SMART)
Eligible projects and participation criteria
The programme recognizes research, development or innovation projects that have successfully applied and/or advanced electrotechnical standardization. Eligible projects may include:
- a thesis,
- other research carried out at a university, university of applied sciences or within a project consortium, or
- a project that has made a significant contribution to the teaching of electrotechnical standardization.
The award is an honorary recognition that includes both a cash prize and extensive visibility through SESKO’s communication channels. SESKO’s broad network of experts also provides an important audience for disseminating the results of awarded projects.
Examples of eligible projects include:
- identifying a new need for standardization and providing the rationale for it,
- identifying the need for entirely new types of standards (SMART),
- extensive or innovative use of standards within research projects,
- using standards to analyse and optimize data affecting energy efficiency,
- integrating energy production with energy-consuming devices or systems,
- collaboration between different stakeholder groups (for example, joint projects between educational institutions),
- critical evaluation of standard content,
- demonstrating the impact of standards on organizational performance or competitiveness, and
- other innovative solutions that support the programme themes and promote electrical safety.
Projects submitted for consideration must be related to at least one of the programme themes and must apply and/or promote electrotechnical standardization.
Projects are assessed against the evaluation criteria listed below. To be eligible, a project must demonstrate impact in at least one of these areas.
Evaluation criteria
Projects are evaluated based on:
- Industrial, technological, societal and sustainability impacts of the project
- Impact on markets or society
- Originality and level of innovation
- Contribution to increasing the role and importance of standardization within a particular field
- Successful integration of standards development into the R&D or innovation process
- Identification of the need for entirely new types of standards and/or definition of their implementation principles (SMART)
- Utilization of research results (e.g. published in scientific journals) in standardization
- Potential to use the research as educational material
- Inspiring the next generation to engage with electrotechnical standardization (educational projects)
Categories and prize amounts
The jury primarily evaluates completed projects, although projects nearing completion may also be submitted. The programme consists of three categories, and each project may be entered in only one category.
The programme is open to, universities, universities of applied sciences, project consortia, individual innovators, students and teachers in the electrical engineering field.
| Category | Applicant | Prize | Possible follow-up nomination* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research project | University or university of applied sciences | €1,500–€2,500 | Standards + Innovation Awards – European Research Project |
| Research project | Company or consortium | €1,500–€2,500 | Standards + Innovation Awards – European Research Project |
| Research project | Individual researcher or innovator | €500–€1,000 | Standards + Innovation Awards – Individual Researcher/Innovator |
| Thesis | Doctoral dissertation | €500–€1,000 | Standards + Innovation Awards – Young Researcher |
| Thesis | Master’s thesis (M.Sc. in Engineering) | €300–€500 | Standards + Innovation Awards – Young Researcher |
| Thesis | Bachelor’s thesis (B.Eng.) | €300–€500 | Standards + Innovation Awards – Young Researcher |
| Educational development project | Educational institution or teacher | €500–€1,000 | Standards + Innovation Awards – Education |
*Subject to CEN and CENELEC organizing a corresponding award programme in 2027/2028 and the awarded project matching the relevant category of the Standards + Innovation Awards.
The amount of each award is determined according to the scope of the research, thesis or development project, or the number of practical use cases. Particularly extensive projects may receive an individual award exceeding €2,500.
The total value of the award programme is up to €5,000. The prize amounts above are indicative and intended for guidance by the SESKO Board. Awards are not necessarily granted in every category.
Award recipients are expected to present their projects at a dedicated SESKO event during 2027/2028. SESKO will also publish a news article about each winning project in cooperation with the recipient organization and promote the winners through its communication channels.
Where appropriate, winning projects may be nominated as Finland’s candidates for the CEN and CENELEC Standards + Innovation Awards 2027/2028.
CEN and CENELEC Standards + Innovation Awards
Each year, CEN and CENELEC organize the Standards + Innovation Awards, recognizing researchers, innovators and other contributors who have advanced standardization and its application. In 2026, the programme will be held for the eighth time.
Awards are presented in several categories, including research projects, individual researchers and early-career professionals. In addition, the biennial award recognizing leaders of technical bodies returns, and a new category has been introduced for educators who have made an outstanding contribution to promoting standardization knowledge in Europe.
The programme is open to candidates nominated by CEN and CENELEC members. Winners are announced at the European Commission’s annual knowledge valorisation event.
Schedule
The application period for the first programme round opens in August 2026. The application link will be published on this page.
Applications for the first round will be accepted until 13 November 2026, and the SESKO Board will decide on the award recipients by 31 December 2026.
The application period for the second programme round will open in August 2027.
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