The aim of the European Athletics Innovation Awards is to encourage research, study and new ideas leading to the development of the sport of athletics.

The competition is open to individuals or teams of scientists, academics, students, coaches, event organisers and others from European countries who wish to share their original work for the benefit of the sport.

The biennial competition, which was established in 1998, offers a CHF 20,000 prize fund for awards in the following five categories:

• Coaching
• Technology
• Promotion
• Sustainability
• Open

Entries are judged for their quality and relevance to athletics by an international panel of experts appointed by European Athletics

The author of the top project in each category receives CHF 2,000 and advances to the final round. A CHF 10,000 first prize is presented at an awards ceremony during the European Athletics Convention.

The next edition of the awards will be in 2012 and a detailed call for projects will be made in the autumn of 2011.

For questions or further information regarding the Innovation Awards contact Bill Glad (bill.glad@european-athletics.org)