Cogrant
Log inSign up
European UnionResearch Institution, Public Institution, Private Business

SOFT Innovation Prize 2026

SOFT Innovation Prize 2026

Funding Amount

€20K - €50K

Deadline

03/03/2026

Eligible Organization Types

Research Institution, Public Institution, Private Business

Trusted by

trusted by logo
trusted by logo
trusted by logo
trusted by logo
trusted by logo
trusted by logo
trusted by logo
trusted by logo
trusted by logo
trusted by logo
trusted by logo
trusted by logo

What is the SOFT Innovation Prize 2026 Call?

Grant Description
The SOFT Innovation Prize rewards excellence in physics and technology innovations developed in magnetic confinement fusion research with market potential or industrial uptake. It addresses the need to drive fusion research innovations from research to market, showcase dynamic researchers and industries, and stimulate a culture of valorisation and entrepreneurship in the fusion sector.
Required Results for Successful Funding

Expected Outcomes

By awarding the SOFT Innovation Prize, the Commission will:

• Highlight and give visibility to the most dynamic and forward-looking innovations in fusion research;

• Boost potential for valorisation and market uptake of fusion technologies;

• Stimulate a stronger innovation and entrepreneurial culture within the EU and international fusion research community;

• Promote equal opportunities and gender balance in the nuclear sector. Prizes: 1st €50,000; 2nd €30,000; 3rd €20,000.
Funded areas

Scope Requirements

1. Eligibility: Researchers, research teams or industrial participants (including those in ITER or national fusion programmes in ITER partner countries or third countries with a bilateral cooperation agreement with Euratom) eligible under the Euratom Research & Training Programme 2021-2025. Russia is excluded per General Annex B. 2. Intellectual Property: Proof of permission from IPR owner required. 3. Innovation Focus: Any physics or technology innovation in magnetic confinement fusion, with market potential or industrial recognition, with no thematic sub-categories. 4. Application Content:

• Technical description of the innovation;

• State-of-the-art assessment;

• General account of market potential/exploitation. 5. Format & Page Limit: Maximum 20 pages, layout as per Part B of the Application Form (see Rules of Contest section 5).
Additional Conditions for Applicants

Special Conditions

• Contest governed by Model Rules of Contest for Prizes (published 2025 on Funding & Tenders Portal); sections 5–11 cover admissibility, eligibility, capacity, exclusion, submission & evaluation processes, award criteria, scoring, thresholds, indicative timeline and legal/financial arrangements.

• Admissibility: compliance with page limits/layout, eligible countries, financial & operational capacity, absence of exclusion grounds.

• Evaluation: original & replicable innovation, technical excellence, economic impact & exploitation; scoring and thresholds per Rules of Contest sections 8–9.

• Timeline: Call opens 03 June 2025; deadline 03 March 2026 (17:00 CET); evaluation March–June 2026; award announcement September–October 2026 at SOFT Conference.

• Equal opportunities policy applies; gender balance encouraged, especially applications from women in the nuclear field.
Important dates

Open from: 03/06/2025

Deadline:03/03/2026

Win your grant with Cogrant

How cogrant works

Smart Funding Fit Check
Smart Funding Fit Check

Instantly know if your project fits call criteria. Our system highlights strengths, gaps, and risks, so you only apply when your chances are real.

Intelligent Research Engine
Intelligent Research Engine

Our research engine digs deeper than any founder could alone. It pulls data about your company, your market, and even your competitors - giving your proposal an edge backed by facts, not fluff.

Full Proposal Development
Full Proposal Development

Our system builds your entire proposal from start to finish, ensuring every section is complete, coherent, and crafted to the highest quality. You focus on your vision — we deliver the winning document.

Expert Review
Expert Review

Our experts run a complete review before delivery, ensuring your draft proposal is accurate, well-structured, and polished. You’ll receive a high-quality draft that’s ready for your final touches before submission.

Our Numbers

Results that speak for themselves

70+
proposals prepared
€36.7M
total funding secured for clients
65%
win rate in highly competitive calls

Frequently asked questions