European Inventor Award 2026

In order to encourage inventive and innovative skills European Patent Office (EPO) established European Inventor Award in 2006, which has gained the annual character. The main purpose of the award is to support inventors, who transform creative ideas into innovative products that address to the demands and challenges of our time. 

In 2026 The European Inventor Award ceremony will be held in Berlin. The inventors from around the world who hold the European Patent and commercialize it in Europe are eligible to participate. The finalists and winners in several categories, such as industry, research, Non-EPO countries, Small and Medium enterprises, lifetime achievement, popular prize, will be announced at the ceremony. 

European Inventor Award winners will receive striking trophies in the shape of sail created by the German designer Miriam Irle- the lasting symbol celebrating how inventive ideas can drive humankind to unreached shores.  

It should be noted, that in 2022 the EPO established the Young Inventors Prize as a part of the Award, that soon transformed into a stand-alone-event.  Within the format of this event the innovators or a group of innovators under the age of 30 have the opportunity to present their technological innovations to a wide audience. The next competition is planned for 2027.  

The deadline for submitting candidates for the European Inventor Award is September 30, 2025. 

For the detailed information about the competition, please see the following link:https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/european-inventor-award/nominations