Applications for the 18th edition of the “Innowator Mazowsza” competition are open only until 7 September 2026. Kozminski University is a partner of the initiative organized by the Self-Government of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, which recognizes researchers and entrepreneurs developing solutions with strong implementation potential.
The competition is held in two categories: “Innovative Researcher” and “Innovative Company”. For the academic community, it is an opportunity not only to receive a financial award, but also to present research findings to experts and competition partners and demonstrate their potential for practical application.
Who can apply in the “Innovative Researcher” category?
The category is open to individuals who have completed their doctoral proceedings or obtained a doctoral degree after 1 January 2022. The doctoral dissertation must have been prepared or defended at a research institution based in the Mazowieckie Voivodeship and concern applied research or development work resulting in solutions that can be implemented in the economy.
The winners in this category will receive financial awards of PLN 20,000 for first place, PLN 15,000 for second place and PLN 13,000 for third place. A special award of PLN 5,000 will also be granted for outstanding achievements in the social sciences, humanities, natural sciences or medical sciences.
The ten highest-rated researchers will qualify for the second stage of the competition. They will have the opportunity to present the implementation potential of their research before a panel of experts and competition partners. The winners will also present their projects during the final conference.
Competition also open to innovative companies
Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises from the Mazowieckie Voivodeship may also apply, provided they have been operating in the region since at least 1 January 2023 and have already introduced an innovative product, service or technology to the market.
The category is also open to spin-off companies and startups developing solutions at the intersection of science and business. In the “Innovative Company” category, the awards amount to PLN 30,000, PLN 20,000 and PLN 15,000, respectively.
The total prize pool in the 18th edition of “Innowator Mazowsza” is PLN 118,000.
Participation in the competition is free of charge, and applications are submitted online. The call for applications remains open until 7 September 2026. Further information is available on the competition website.
