clara-young-innovator-award
Introduction
About the Award
In recognition of exceptional young talent in science and innovation, the CLARA Center of Excellence is proud to launch a new award: the CLARA Young Innovator Award.
This award embodies CLARA’s commitment to supporting and celebrating the next generation of researchers and innovators who contribute to improving the lives of ageing populations through digital innovation.
The main purpose is to support and spotlight young innovators and developers creating impactful digital-enabled technology that improves the quality of life of the ageing population.
The award is planned to be announced every two years. The first edition will be awarded in 2026.
Main Focus
Competition Themes
Participants are invited to develop digital tools or applications in one or more of the following areas:
- Monitoring cognitive or physical health in older adults
- Personal digital diaries for seniors
- Tools for collecting research data on ageing
- Software tools for analysis and engineering proteins
- Machine learning models for discovery and design of proteins
- Educational platforms about ageing for younger generations
- Intergenerational technology platforms
- Other smart digital solutions that enhance comfort and well-being in later life
Who Can Apply
Eligibility
Open to young innovators or teams (max. 4 people) under 35, including:
- Undergraduate students, PhD students and postdoctoral researchers
- Early-career academic researchers
- Young professionals from tech companies and startups
Applicants under the age of 22 may compete in a separate category, either individually or in teams of up to 4 members.
Each Entry Must Include
Submission Guidelines
- Project title and description
- Project outcome (e.g. scientific finding, tools, SW, mock-up/demo or video presentation)
- Technical overview (brief description of objectives, approach, implementation plan, and expected outcomes; max. 3 pages, in PDF)
- Applicant introduction (free form, max. 1 page), Curriculum Vitae (standard format, max. 2 pages), Motivation letter (structured text, max. 1 page)
What Will Be Assessed
Evaluation Criteria
- Innovation and creativity
- Societal relevance and impact
- Technical quality and feasibility
- Usability and accessibility
- Solution explainability and trustworthiness
- Alignment with the CLARA vision and mission
Who is Behind it
About Organisers
This award is organised by all CLARA partners: International Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Center (INDRC); International Clinical Research Center (ICRC); Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics (CIIRC), Technical University of Ostrava - IT4Innovations; Paris Brain Institute (PBI); Leibniz Supercomputing Centre, Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities (LRZ).
CLARA is a groundbreaking interdisciplinary Center of Excellence—the first of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe—dedicated to advancing the next generation of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and quantum-enabled supercomputing technologies. Its primary mission is to accelerate progress in neurodegenerative disorders research, especially Alzheimer’s disease, by leveraging large-scale biological and clinical data using advanced computational methods.