European Data Spaces Awards 2027 open for applications
Applications for the European Data Spaces Awards 2027 opened today. The Awards recognise leading data sharing initiatives across Europe and are organised by the Data Spaces Support Centre (DSSC) in collaboration with the European Commission.
Shortlisted nominees will be announced on 21 December 2026 and the winners will be revealed at the Data Spaces Symposium 2027 in Brussels on 9 March 2027.
Two award categories
The Excellence in End-User Engagement and Financial Sustainability award recognises data spaces in real-world operation, with active participants and actual data transactions. Applicants demonstrate the value they create for end users and show a viable long-term financial model.
The Most Innovative Emerging Data Space award recognises newer initiatives that introduce novel business, technical or governance approaches. Innovative value-added services and the use of data for AI receive particular attention. The category focuses on the potential of emerging initiatives to generate business and societal impact.
Who can apply
Applications are open to initiatives that meet the following requirements: The governance authority is registered in the EU, the initiative operates fully or partially in the EU, it is actively used to share data and the data shared includes restricted data.
Many data spaces are still being implemented through projects. Project coordinators may therefore apply on behalf of a data space consortium, and data shared in pilots close to operational conditions counts towards the requirements. Only the governance authority or the project coordinator can submit an application.
How applications are evaluated
The evaluation criteria are aligned with CEN/CLC/TS 18331:2026, the CEN-CENELEC technical specification on the maturity assessment of Common European Data Spaces. Each application is reviewed by at least three evaluators from a pool coordinated by DSSC. Three candidates per category are shortlisted and an expert jury selects one winner per category.
Applicants start with the Awards Guidelines, which set out eligibility, categories and evaluation criteria. A Maturity Self-Assessment then shows where the initiative sits on the data spaces readiness scale. Applicants complete the application template for their category and upload it, together with any supporting materials, through the online submission portal.
Learn more: European Data Spaces Awards