STARTS is an initiative of the European Commission to foster alliances of technology and artistic practice that effectively implement European policymaking to nurture innovation and that benefit the art world as well. The focus is on people and projects that contribute to mastering the social, ecological and economic challenges this continent faces.

One element of this STARTS Initiative is a prestigious award generously endowed with €40,000 in prize money. A yearly competition is held to single out for recognition innovative projects at the nexus of science, technology and the arts that have what it takes to make a significant impact on economic and social innovation. The two STARTS prizewinners each receive €20,000 and are prominently featured at Ars Electronica and other events of the consortium partners BOZAR, Waag, INOVA+, T6 Ecosystems, French Tech Grande Provence and Frankfurter Buchmesse.

Important dates:

December 3, 2021 – January 9, 2022,  Exhibition and performances at Bozar

January 11, 2022, Submission phase for the STARTS Prize 2022 starts

March 2, 2022,  Submission deadline

April 28 – May 1, 2022, Jury Meeting

June, 2022,  Announcement of winners

September 7-11, 2022,  Exhibition and talks at Ars Electronica Festival