Specific challenge:

Within energy research, fusion encompasses innovation in the domains of physics and technology in a wide variety of specialisations. The researchers in Europe are constantly challenging the science and improving the technology thereby creating the conditions for innovation, much of which can be exploited in other science and industrial sectors for the benefit of European society. A fundamental basis of the Euratom Programme complementing Horizon 2020 is to support innovation. In this context the researcher plays a critical role. This prize is being offered to highlight and reward the excellence in innovation that can be found in the fusion research programme as well as the quality of the researchers and industries involved.

Scope:

There are no specific categories for this prize. The participant(s) is free to submit an application concerning any physics or technology innovation that has been or is being developed in the European fusion research programme and that has a market potential or has been taken up (or recognised) by industry to be further developed for the market. The Jury evaluating submissions will consist of a group of independent experts appointed by the Commission knowledgeable in innovative processes and technology transfer from business and academia. The Jury will submit to the Commission the selected 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed winners who will receive 15,000, 10,000 and 5,000 Euros respectively. The winners will be announced at the SOFT conference in September 2014.

Expected impact:

By awarding the ‘European Prize for Innovation in fusion research’ the Commission will showcase innovations in this research sector and give visibility to the most dynamic, forward-looking and innovative researchers, research teams or industrial participants. This visibility will provide the greater potential for valorisation with the subsequent rewards that this brings to the EU both economically and socially. Furthermore, presenting these awards will stimulate the research community to develop a stronger innovation and entrepreneur culture in the European fusion programme.

Eligibility criteria:

The contestant must be a researcher, research team or industrial participant benefitting from Euratom financial support, and be resident in an EU Member State or a Euratom Associated Country. Example of proof: details of a specific contract associated to the Euratom fusion research programme; copy of any official document of identification (passport, driving licence etc.). If you are not an EU citizen, you must present a document proving your residency in the EU or an Associated Country (e.g. a copy of your visa or work permit).

The researcher, research team or industrial participant has acquired permission from the owner of the intellectual property rights to submit an application. The owner of the IPR should comment on the state of the IPR: free or contractually embedded, and name of eventual contractor/s.

The contestant's submission will consist of a complete application for the 'European Prize for Innovation in fusion research' including:

a technical description of the innovation;

a state of the art assessment of the innovation (using publically available patent data base such as the EPO Espacenet);

an account, in general terms, of the market potential for the exploitation of the innovation;

the contribution that the prize could provide for the exploitation of the innovation.

Award criteria:

The originality and replicability: the idea is innovative and the result of lateral thinking and proves to be original and first-of-a-kind used in the industry or in the domain of application.

Technical analysis applied: the application will need to include patent information on the state of the art in the associated technology field (using publically available patent data base such as the EPO Espacenet).

Clarity: the concept must be clear, logical and well-illustrated.

The planned use of the prize money: the application should present an awareness of all relevant innovation aspects and include identification of the market needs and business opportunities and where this prize could contribute to the successful exploitation and further development of the innovation.