EIC Horizon Prize Affordable High-Tech for Humanitarian Aid published

The EC has published a new EIC (European Innovation Council) Horizon Prize 'Affordable High-Tech for Humanitarian Aid.' The challenge of this prize is to develop innovative solutions for the delivery of humanitarian aid based on frugal application of advanced technologies. The deadline for registration of interest is September 15, 2019. Deadline of submissions is January 15, 2020. The budget available is € 5 million.

Five prizes of € 1 million will be awarded, one in each of the following categories: shelter and related assistance; water, sanitation and hygiene; energy; health and medical care; and an open category. The contest is open to all legal entities (i.e. natural or legal persons, including international organisations) or groups of legal entities. 

The European Union and its Member States are major humanitarian donors. Humanitarian crises and disasters have increased in number, complexity and severity over the last 25 years. Given the scale of today’s crises and disasters, funding to cover humanitarian needs cannot keep up. The humanitarian system is being challenged to do more, for more people, and at greater cost. Cooperation between international organisations and NGOs responding to crises, end-users and local actors, research and scientific communities and the private sector is crucial in this respect. Introducing innovative solutions for the delivery of humanitarian aid could help enhance the humanitarian response, which is particularly important for those in a most vulnerable situation.

The EIC Horizon Prizes are awarded to whoever can most effectively meet a defined challenge, without prescribing how that challenge should be solved. These will boost breakthrough innovation across sectors by fostering cutting-edge solutions which bring major benefits to citizens and society. The EIC pilot supports top-class innovators, entrepreneurs, small companies and scientists with bright ideas and the ambition to scale up internationally. It brings together the parts of the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation - Horizon 2020 that provide funding, advice and networking opportunities for those at cutting edge of innovation.