STARTS Prize — a European award of €40,000 for interdisciplinary projects
This prize is created for projects where art helps make sense of technology and shapes critical reflection on its impact. It brings together artists, designers, researchers, and technologists working at the intersection of art, technology, and society.
STARTS Prize supports initiatives that explore the interaction between art and emerging technologies, offering new ways to rethink digital processes, technological infrastructures, and social transformation.
What this award is — and what it is not
This is not a classic art award and not a grant for idea development.
The prize is intended to recognize completed or near-completed projects that already demonstrate a clear conceptual framework and tangible results. It focuses on projects that have moved beyond experimentation and can be evaluated within a broader technological and cultural context.
What kinds of projects are supported
STARTS Prize selects projects where technology is an integral part of the concept, not just a tool for production. If the technological component is removed, the project would lose its core meaning.
Projects may address themes such as digital infrastructure, data systems, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, environmental technologies, or the future of labor.
The focus is on projects that treat technology as a subject of analysis and critical inquiry, rather than merely as an instrument.
Key limitations and requirements
Projects must be completed within the last four years. This is a strict eligibility requirement.
Archival works, purely theoretical research, and projects without a demonstrable outcome are not eligible. The jury considers only works that can be assessed in terms of both conceptual depth and practical implementation.
What to consider when applying
Applicants are required to describe the project as a holistic system.
It is important to clearly articulate the artistic concept, the technological component, the social relevance, and the European dimension of the project.
What matters is not just the visual result, but the structure of the project, its internal logic, and its connection to broader technological and societal processes.
Who the prize is for
STARTS Prize is open to artists and interdisciplinary teams working with technology in a critical and meaningful way.
Projects may come from individual artists or collectives, and may be developed within artistic, research, or hybrid contexts.
If the project cannot be clearly described as operating at the intersection of art, science, and technology, it is unlikely to be competitive.
STARTS Prize values strong ideas, clear conceptual framing, and meaningful integration of art and technology.
Funding and deadlines
Each selected project may receive up to €20,000. Projects are evaluated within the framework of Ars Electronica and partner programs.
Application deadline: 4 March 2026
