Empowering Brilliance

Your Research. Your Impact. Your Opportunity.

Take Your EO Research Further!

Are you an early-career individual using Earth Observation satellite data to advance science and applications? The EO Excellence Award is your opportunity to showcase your achievements, innovative work and potential impact.

Put your work in the spotlight and take the opportunity to advance your work with the support of an ESA grant of up to €15,000.

Ready to shape the future of Earth Observation?

Apply Now!

Nominate the Next Award Winner!

The call for self-nominations opens on 20 October 2026 and closes on 22 January 2027 at 12:00 UTC.


Process for Nominees

   1. Check Your Eligibility

Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements set out in the Terms & Conditions.

   2. Get Your Recommendation Letter

Ask a peer scientist in your field to provide a signed recommendation letter (1 page) explaining why you deserve the Award.

DOWNLOAD RECOMMENDATION LETTER TEMPLATE

    3. Prepare Your Application

Have the required documents ready:

  • Recommendation Letter
  • CV
  • Selected bibliography
  • Project description
DOWNLOAD PROJECT DESCRIPTION TEMPLATE

    4. Submit Your Self-Nomination

Complete the online application and upload your documents.

    5. You’re Done!

Your application will first undergo an eligibility check and eligible applications will then proceed to the Evaluation Committee.

Eligibility criteria for Nominees

Please review the information below and consult the Terms & Conditions for the full eligibility and exclusion requirements.

Who can apply?
Terms & Conditions

Yes

  • I am an early-career individual within five years of obtaining my highest academic degree (MSc or PhD) and no more than ten years since obtaining my first degree (BSc), excluding periods of maternity leave.
  • My work focuses on the use of Earth Observation satellite data in science and applications.
  • I have a record of publications in specialised journals and sufficient experience.
  • I have obtained a signed recommendation letter from a peer scientist in my field.
  • I meet the eligibility requirements.

No

  • I am currently an ESA staff member or contractor, or less than one year has passed since the end of my service.
  • I am a member of the EO Excellence Award Selection Committee.
  • I have previously received an EO Excellence Award.
  • My work focuses primarily on innovative technology or engineering developments for Earth Observation, rather than the scientific or application use of EO satellite data.
  • I fall under any other Exclusion Case described in the Terms & Conditions.
20 Oct - 22 Jan 2027
Nomination period
Jan - Mar 2027
Evaluation period 2027
Apr 2027
Announcement of winners

Find out who the leading drivers of innovation were in the previous editions of the EO Excellence Award.

Hall of Fame