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.
SESKO only awards projects carried out in Finland / national Finnish projects.
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 (indicative) | 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 the recognition award granted for each project will be determined based on the scope of the research project, thesis or development project. The total maximum value of the awards is EUR 5,000. The indicated award amounts are indicative and reflect the desired scope of each category. The Board reserves the right to allocate the award amounts differently based on the applications received. An award may not necessarily be granted in every category.
SESKO requires the awarded projects to be presented at a separate event organised by SESKO during the year following the award year (2027 and 2028), with the event to be designated separately. In addition, a separate press release will be prepared in cooperation with the winning organisation for publication on SESKO’s website, and the awarded projects will be widely featured in SESKO’s news and communications.
Subject to the applicable conditions, projects receiving the SESKO Award for Advancing the Electrical Future may be nominated as Finland’s entries for the CEN/CENELEC Standards & Innovation Awards 2027 and 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
Please send your application via this survey: https://link.webropol.com/s/hakemusapplicationform2026
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 Spring 2027.
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