Commission launches EIC Horizon Prize
The European Commission has launched the first of six European Innovation Council (EIC) Horizon Prizes on Affordable High-Tech for Humanitarian Aid.
The Prize on Affordable High-Tech for Humanitarian Aid will reward the best, proven, cost-effective, tech-based solutions for Humanitarian Aid and will amount to €5m, which will be divided equally into five categories: shelter and related assistance; water, hygiene and sanitation; energy; health and medical care; and an “open” category.
Technologies include – but are not limited to – nanotechnologies, advanced materials or 3D printing.
Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation Carlos Moedas said: “High-Tech can have an important inclusive role. Top technologies can help more people, especially the most vulnerable ones, to have affordable access to high quality, durable products, which will improve their quality of life.”
Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides added: “The EU is not just the world’s biggest donor of humanitarian aid, we also have to ensure that we provide the best quality response to people in critical situations. Creative tech and innovative tools could make a huge difference in the future when it comes to crisis response, including aid delivery in remote areas.”
EIC Horizon Prizes are part of the European Innovation Council pilot run under Horizon 2020, the EU’s Research and Innovation Framework Programme.
