Valladolid City Council is allocating €30,000 to recognise innovative projects across six strategic categories. Applications may be submitted until 15 November 2026.
Valladolid City Council, through its Innovation and Economic Development Agency (IdeVa), is launching the 1st IdeVa Awards: Innovation, Creativity and Talent. City of Valladolid, an initiative designed to recognise and promote projects that contribute to the city’s economic, technological, social and environmental development.
As part of the Valladolid Now project, these awards aim to showcase innovative initiatives that are already underway, promote technological transformation and sustainability, and encourage the creation of highly skilled jobs and the retention of local talent.
Six Categories to Drive Innovation
The awards have a total prize fund of €30,000, distributed across six categories:
- Innovation Award for Environment and Sustainability: Projects focused on decarbonisation, energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, the circular economy and urban renaturalisation.
- Innovation Award for SMEs, Technology Startups and Artificial Intelligence: Solutions based on artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things and other emerging technologies.
- Innovation Award for Social Wellbeing, Health and the Silver Economy: Initiatives related to digital health, telecare, personal autonomy and active ageing.
- Innovation Award for the Strategic Automotive Sector: Projects involving electrification, connected vehicles, advanced robotics and smart manufacturing.
- Innovation Award for the Strategic Agri-Food Sector: Initiatives focused on digitalisation, traceability, food safety and sustainability in the agri-food industry.
- Innovation Award for Artistic Creativity: Projects that integrate technology, design, audiovisual media, cultural heritage, video games or performing arts.
In addition, the competition includes the International Recognition for Excellence from Valladolid, an honorary distinction awarded to individuals or organisations with links to Valladolid that demonstrate outstanding reach and recognition.
Alongside the financial prizes, winning projects may benefit from a tailored support programme offering business acceleration opportunities, access to investors, connections with industrial clusters and city networks, and participation in industry trade fairs.
InnoVa Scholarships: Opportunities for Talent
The initiative is complemented by the InnoVa Scholarships – City of Valladolid programme, a public-private partnership aimed at strengthening professional skills and improving access to highly skilled employment.
Companies and organisations such as ABANCA, Repsol, Telefónica, Horse, Grupo Entrepinares, Luce IT, Madison, Fundación Rafael del Pino and Mozo Grau are participating in the initiative, which offers employment opportunities, long-term internships, research placements and international scholarships at prestigious institutions.
Who Can Apply?
The call is open to individuals aged 16 and over, self-employed professionals, SMEs, startups, cooperatives, associations, universities and non-profit organisations operating in Valladolid, the General Interest Association area or the surrounding metropolitan area.
Projects must be either in the implementation phase or already operational, with at least three months of demonstrable activity by the application deadline. Each applicant may submit a project to a maximum of three categories and must provide a descriptive project report.
Applications will be assessed by an independent, multidisciplinary jury comprising representatives from the business, academic, technology and innovation sectors.
How to Apply
The application period remains open until 15 November 2026.
The official rules, application form and information about the InnoVa Scholarships programme are available on the website of Valladolid’s Innovation and Economic Development Agency:
The awards will be presented at a ceremony scheduled for December 2026.
An opportunity to showcase projects with a real impact, drive new ideas and contribute to a more innovative and sustainable future for Valladolid.