Innovators Under 35 Europe Awards Open for Applications
The program recognizes 35 young European researchers and founders developing high-impact technologies by the autumn of 2027.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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MIT Technology Review Italia has opened applications for its Innovators Under 35 Europe awards program. The initiative seeks to identify young European talent across nine sectors, including artificial intelligence and biotechnology, with 35 winners to be selected.
Why it matters
The program provides a mechanism to track emerging European talent working on technologies with significant scientific and economic potential. It highlights researchers and founders who are currently scaling innovations in areas like cybersecurity and climate technology.
The selection process evaluates candidates across nine impact areas, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and cybersecurity. A total of 35 winners are selected from the applicant pool.
The players
MIT Technology Review Italia
A publication branch of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that focuses on deep-tech research and emerging technological trends.
Eni
An Italian multinational energy company with a deep-tech portfolio focused on decarbonization, carbon capture, and circular economy research.
Opinno
A global innovation consultancy that specializes in identifying talent and accelerating digital transformation projects.
The details
The evaluation process requires applicants to submit their credentials for assessment against established scientific, economic, and social impact metrics. Candidates compete within nine specialized categories, such as climate technology and AI, where experts review the technical rigor and real-world application of their work. This process narrows the field to 35 honorees who demonstrate the ability to move research or startup concepts toward tangible implementation.
Timeline
May 15, 2027: Deadline for all program applications.
Autumn 2027: Awards ceremony scheduled to occur in Italy.
The Tech Race
This initiative follows the structure of the broader MIT Technology Review global awards to map European innovation maturity. It serves as a regional benchmark for talent in high-growth fields like AI and climate tech compared to global research trajectories.
Eligible European innovators under 35 may apply for the program to gain recognition for their scientific and technical projects. The selection process is open until May 15, 2027, after which the identified leaders are highlighted during the autumn awards ceremony.
The takeaway
The program tracks the next generation of technical leaders emerging from the European research landscape. Interested applicants should monitor the official MIT Technology Review Italia channels for the final 2027 ceremony date announcement.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research and shifts in Artificial Intelligence.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ANSA.
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