Annual Awards 2026
SOLARIZE Project
Rationale and Scope
One of the objectives stated in the SOLARIZE project is to “foster the creation and consolidation of
an ERIC’s Scientific Community at all levels while educating new researchers to make appropriate
use of the RIs’ in the field of concentrated solar thermal technologies (CST).
To achieve this, the establishment of one or more annual award categories was proposed within
the SOLARIZE Work Programme.
The event chosen to present the awards is the Gala Dinner, which takes place during the already
traditional Annual Doctoral Colloquium and Summer School events, typically held back-to-back. It
is proposed that the Chair of EU-SOLARIS’ General Assembly (or a designated EU-SOLARIS
representative) will present the awards.
Although the Summer School, Doctoral Colloquium, and Annual Awards will be conducted under
the umbrella of the SOLARIZE project, the goal is to continue these as EU-SOLARIS’ own events
after the project concludes in December 2027.
What are the prize categories?
1. Best Doctoral Thesis on CST-related topics, defended within the past three-year period (2023-2025).
2. Outstanding Contribution to the Improvement of CST Research Infrastructures’ Capabilities
and Services. Innovations that have been developed within the past three-year period (2023–2025) may be submitted.
Who decides?
The Scientific & Technical Committee (STC) of EU-SOLARIS ERIC (https://eu-
solaris.eu/organization-governance/) will decide on both categories.
To avoid conflicts of interest, the Managing Director will propose the exclusion of any STC members who have connections to students and/or R&D groups being nominated for the award.
Key Dates
- Publication of the call for nominations: January, 21
- **Deadline for accepting nominations extended**: June, 5
- Decision by the STC: June, 30
- Award Ceremony: Annual Doctoral Colloquium’s Gala Dinner. (Date to be confirmed. The exact date will be communicated at a later stage.)