4 December 2017
Horizon 2020 Affordable High-Tech for Humanitarian Aid Prize Now Open
Launch of Affordable High-Tech for Humanitarian Aid Prize.
The European Innovation Council (EIC) brings together the areas of Horizon 2020 – the EU’s programme for research and innovation – that provide funding, advice and networking opportunities for those at the cutting edge of innovation. The EIC has launched the Affordable High-Tech for Humanitarian Aid Prize to reward projects developing innovative solutions for the delivery of humanitarian aid based on frugal application of advanced technologies.
The EU and its Member States are the world’s leading humanitarian aid donor. Humanitarian crises and disasters have increased in number, complexity and severity over the last 25 years, and funding to cover humanitarian needs cannot keep up.
Introducing innovative and more cost-effective technologies-based solutions for the delivery of humanitarian aid could help enhance the humanitarian response. This prize is therefore designed to result in more cost-effective, sustainable and higher-quality innovative solutions that lead to an optimised use of humanitarian funding and an enhanced response to urgent needs in humanitarian aid.
Solutions should be novel and demonstrate the added value and potential of one or more advanced technologies (but should not involve only Information and Communication Technology). Solutions should be tested and proven in a humanitarian aid delivery and should be safe, scalable, resource-sustainable, replicable and usable in other contexts. They should serve the needs of and be designed in close cooperation with the affected populations, in particular of those in a most vulnerable situation.
Prizes will be awarded within the following five categories:
- Shelter and related assistance.
- Water, sanitation and hygiene.
- Energy
- Health and medical care.
- Open category.
Five prizes of €1 million will be awarded, one in each of the award categories.
The contest is open to any single person and legal entity or groups of legal entities established in EU Member States or in countries associated to Horizon 2020.
The deadline for applications is 15 January 2020. Potential participants are encouraged to register for the contest by 15 September 2019.