A New Award for Fresh Ideas That Make a Difference
We are pleased to announce the launch of the first edition of the CLARA Young Innovator Award 2026, an international initiative designed to encourage and support young researchers and innovators whose work contributes to improving the quality of life of ageing populations through digital innovation and digital-enabled technologies.
With this award, CLARA teams want to celebrate young talent working at the intersection of digital innovation, research, and societal impact. Whether you are developing a research prototype, a software solution, or an applied innovation, CYIA 2026 offers a unique opportunity to gain recognition and accelerate your work.
The call for applications is now open, with a submission deadline of 15 March 2026.
Who Can Apply and What Topics Are Welcome
The award is open to individual applicants or small teams of up to four members under the age of 35, including undergraduate and PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, early-career academic researchers, and young professionals from technology companies and startups. A separate category is dedicated to applicants under the age of 22.
We welcome projects from a wide range of disciplines and maturity levels. Eligible projects may address a broad range of themes, such as monitoring cognitive or physical health in older adults, personal digital diaries for seniors, tools for ageing research, educational or intergenerational platforms, as well as advanced software and machine learning solutions supporting protein discovery and design.
Interdisciplinary and impact-driven projects are particularly encouraged.
What Awardees Receive
Successful applicants will benefit from a unique opportunity to gain both recognition and meaningful professional support. Awardees in each category will receive a financial award of €2,000, complemented by expert mentoring, opportunities for incubation or practical implementation, and support for submissions to leading scientific and technology conferences.
CYIA is more than just a prize - it provides support to your further development. By connecting young innovators with leading experts and an international platform, the award aims to accelerate promising ideas and help translate them into real-world impact.
Finalists will be invited to the award ceremony on 21–22 May 2026, held as part of the Prague International Health Summit, providing an inspiring international setting for exchange and collaboration.
Evaluation by the International Jury
Projects will be evaluated by a renowned international jury composed of leading experts in research, digital health, innovation, and technology. The jury includes Ara Khachaturian (INDRC), Jean-Marie Bouteiller (INDRC), Josef Šivic (CIIRC CTU), Jiří Damborský (ICRC) and Radek Horváth (22 Hor Invest), whose expertise and professional standing ensure a high-quality, fair, and insightful evaluation process.
This year, company 22 Hor Invest s.r.o. decided to support CLARA Young Innovator Award and became its general partner.
Apply Now and Shape the Future of Ageing Societies
We warmly encourage all eligible young innovators with a passion for impactful research and technology to apply. Become part of the CLARA initiative and help shape a more inclusive, healthy, and dignified future for ageing societies.
Submit your application by 15 March 2026 by sending your project via email clara@indrc.cz.
