Commission launches €2 million Horizon Prize in Social Innovation

The European Commission today launched a Horizon Prize in Social Innovation to improve the mobility of older people.

The prize has a budget of €2 million and is funded under Horizon 2020, the EU's research and innovation programme. One prize of €1 million and four runner-up prizes of €250,000 each will be awarded to the most innovative mobility solutions that enable older citizens to continue to fully participate in social activities, maintain their autonomy and age healthily. Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, launched the contest at the “Opening up to an era of social innovation” conference in Lisbon.

Horizon Prizes are challenge prizes (also known as 'inducement' prizes) which offer a cash reward to whoever can most effectively meet a defined challenge. They act as an incentive for innovation by prescribing the goal, but not how the goal should be achieved. The Commission is introducing a set of challenge prizes under Horizon 2020, the EU's €77 billion research and innovation programme running from 2014 to 2020.

The theme of this prize was identified on the basis of a public consultation. The Commission received 9685 votes, with 32% supporting the topic of ageing population.

http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?pg=newsalert&year=2017&na=na-271117&pk_campaign=policy_newsletter