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EUonAIR Launches Award for Responsible AI Innovation: €5,000 Prize for Young Researcher

EUonAIR Award for Responsible AI Innovation

Purpose of the Award

The EUonAIR Award for Responsible AI Innovation recognizes outstanding contributions by young researchers in the field of responsible artificial intelligence (AI) innovation. The award highlights research achievements that align with the mission of EUonAIR: to foster ethically sound, socially beneficial, and scientifically robust AI solutions within the European research and innovation ecosystem.

The award is intended to encourage excellence among emerging scholars, strengthen the visibility of responsible AI research, and support the educational and career development of the next generation of innovators.

Submit your nomination by October 31, 2025

Eligibility

The award is open to:

1. Students or young researchers up to 35 years of age;
2. Whose research has been conducted primarily at an institution belonging to the EUonAIR during at most the five years prior to the year of the award.
3. Whose contribution is documented by one of the following:
4. A Master’s thesis or PhD dissertation,
5. A coherent series of research papers representing a significant contribution.

Each nomination must be endorsed by a senior researcher (professor or postdoctoral fellow) affiliated with an EUonAIR institution. The senior sponsor submits a formal recommendation letter explaining the significance and originality of the candidate’s work.

Award Details

1. Prize money: EUR 5,000 to be used exclusively for further educational, research, or innovation activities.
2. Frequency: Annual
3. Form of recognition:
4. Formal certificate of achievement,
5. Announcement on EUonAIR communication channels,
6. Presentation during a dedicated award event.

Nomination Process

1. Submission of nominations:

1. Candidates are nominated by a senior researcher from a member institution.

Nominations include:

1. Candidate CV (max 2 pages),

2. Recommendation letter (max 2 pages),

3. Thesis, or portfolio of papers documenting the contribution.

2. Eligibility verification:

1. The Award Coordination Team (PC) verifies age, institutional affiliation, and completeness of documentation.

3. Review and selection:

1. The EUonAIR Award Jury—composed of researchers from EUonAIR partners institutions or boards—evaluates the nominations.
2. Evaluation is based on scientific quality, innovation, and contribution to responsible AI practices.

Jury and Governance

1. The Award Jury consists of at least four appointed researchers from EUonAIR institutions or boards with expertise in AI, ethics, and innovation.
2. A Programme Committee (PC) coordinates the award process, handles communications, and ensures transparency.
3. Jury members are invited annually from the EUonAIR network and serve for one award cycle.

Award Ceremony and Dissemination

1. The winner is announced during a special EUonAIR Online Event on MyAI University.
2. The event is publicized via:
3. The EUonAIR official website,
4. Dedicated newsletter campaigns across Alliance members,
5. Social media and academic communication channels.
6. All nominees receive formal acknowledgment of their contribution, and the winner presents their work during the award event.
7. The winner agrees with the PC on the way the money will be used. In particular, the PC verify that one of the activity correspond to a research stay at a partner institution of the Alliance (not among the ones where the winner is currently working and where they have conducted the research for which they have received the award)

2025 Award Jury

1. Andrea Ferrario (SUPSI & ETHUZ & U. of Zurich)
2. Aleksandra Przegalińska (KU & Harvard)
3. Adam Wierzbicki (PJAIT)
4. Tamilla Triantoro (Quinnipiac University)

Deadline for submitting nominations: October 31, 2025

You can submit your nomination here.

Online Award Ceremony: Mid-December