Apply AI Startup Award
The FRONTIER AI GRAND CHALLENGE is now closed!
Ultimately, the initiative intends to highlight AI companies that have the potential to become major European success stories. By doing so, it supports businesses that actively contribute to the continent’s competitiveness, technological sovereignty, and overall societal benefits.
The Apply AI Startup Award is an initiative launched by the European AI Office, the Centre of AI expertise within the European Commission. The award is organised within the framework of AI-BOOST, which will manage and oversee the application stage.
Who is eligible to participate in the award?
To apply, companies must be nominated by national startup associations. Only upon receiving an invitation can candidates complete the application form. Furthermore, they must meet the following requirements:
- be an innovative startup or scaleup according to the relevant Commission definition;
- be headquartered in the European Union and be directly majority-owned, meaning more than 50% of the capital is held by entities established in the European Union;
- have been nominated by a national startup association in accordance with the nomination procedure;
- have a core business focused on developing AI in one or more of the sectors covered by the Apply AI Strategy;
Which strategic sectors are eligible?
The award will follow the strategic sectors covered by the Apply AI Strategy:
- healthcare and pharmaceuticals
- robotics
- manufacturing, engineering and construction
- defence, security and space
- mobility, transport and automotive
- electronic communications
- energy
- climate and environment
- agri-food
- cultural and creative sectors, and media
- public sector
What rewards will the winners receive?
The panel of the Apply AI Startup Award will award three winners that will:
- be invited to pitch their solution on the main stage of the Apply AI Summit on 17th November 2026;
- be featured on the Apply AI Summit and/or European Commission communication channels, including website, news items and social media;
- benefit from coverage of travel costs to Brussels for up to two representatives of the awarded company, subject to the final reimbursement rules communicated by the organisers;
- receive a trophy and award certificate during the Apply AI Summit.
Please note that this is not a cash prize competition. The main value of the award lies in European-level visibility, recognition, networking, and the opportunity to present the company at a high-profile AI event.
What are the key dates and deadlines for the award?
- Nomination by the national startup associations: June 2026
- Award Launch: 1 July 2026
- Submission Deadline: 22 July 2026 at 17:00 CEST (Brussels time)
- Communication of the Top 10 finalists: Mid-September 2026
- Online pitching event for finalists: October 2026
- Communication to selected winners: October 2026
- Official Award Ceremony (Apply AI Summit): 17 November 2026
How can you apply?
- To participate, applicants must register and submit their full proposal through the F6S platform. All submissions must be completed in full and uploaded before the established deadline to be considered for evaluation.
Before anything else, please read the Guide for Applicants.
- Complete the application form in its entirety, making sure to fill in all mandatory fields.
- Apply here > https://www.f6s.com/apply-ai-startup-award
- Submit the final application via the F6S platform before the official closing date and time.
English is the official language, submissions done in any other language will not be taken into account.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:
Become an evaluator of the Apply AI Startup Award
We are looking for experts with experience in innovative startups and scaleups, as well as in the development of AI models or systems in at least one of the Apply AI sectors.
Required services
• assessing the written applications submitted by eligible applicants;
• scoring applications against the published Phase 1 award criteria;
• providing clear comments to justify the scores awarded;
• participating in internal evaluation discussions, if required;
• contributing to the establishment of the ranking for the selection of the Top 10 finalists.
Expert fee
Evaluators will be reimbursed for their time and effort based on the number of applications evaluated. Each external expert will receive 60€ per full application evaluated;