Recognising data spaces that have moved beyond concepts and pilots to demonstrate real-world operation, with active participants, operational use cases and actual data transactions. It celebrates initiatives that generate tangible value for end-users and can demonstrate their scale, activity and growth through concrete evidence. At the same time, they should demonstrate a viable long-term financial model, supported by the governance, business and technical mechanisms needed to sustain and expand their operations.
European Data Spaces Awards 2027
Recognising excellence in European data sharing
The European Data Spaces Awards recognise the best-in-class initiatives that are shaping Europe’s data sharing infrastructure and future, in line with the European Data Union Strategy and the AI Continent Action plan. Building on the success of the inaugural edition, this year’s Awards will once again highlight real-world achievements across the European data space ecosystem - from meaningful end-user engagement and financial sustainability to emerging innovation and impact.
The awards are organised by the Data Spaces Support Centre (DSSC) in collaboration with the European Commission. Winners and nominees will be announced at the Data Spaces Symposium 2027 in Brussels, in March 2027.
The Awards
Two categories. One community.
Recognising data spaces that bring genuinely innovative approaches, use cases and services to the data space ecosystem. It celebrates emerging initiatives that demonstrate the potential to transform how data is shared, accessed and used through novel business, technical or governance approaches. Particular recognition is given to innovative value-added services, the use of AI and data for AI, and other forms of impactful innovation. The focus of this award category is on the novelty, ambition and transformative potential of emerging initiatives, with particular emphasis on their potential to generate meaningful business, societal and other forms of positive impact beyond addressing governance and technical challenges.
How to apply
Four steps to your application.
Everything is designed to be straightforward — from assessing your readiness to submitting your final application.
Important dates
When is your deadline?
Application period: September 21st to November 2nd, 2026
Announcement of the nominees per award: December 21st, 2026
Awards ceremony with all nominees: March 9th 2027 (as part of the Data Spaces Symposium 2027 in Brussels, Belgium).
Your Question, Our Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
The European Data Spaces Awards 2027 are open. Find answers to the most common questions below and get started on your application.
Data is one of Europe's greatest economic assets. The upcoming European Data Union strategy aims to establish a genuine internal market for data, supporting the EU's capacity to develop AI at scale. Across Europe, data is widely distributed among public and private stakeholders within the Digital Single Market. The success of European industrial data markets will depend on instruments that guarantee trust, ensure data sovereignty, and deliver a fair distribution of the value generated from data use.
The European Data Spaces Awards were established to recognise best-in-class European data sharing initiatives. Highlighting the achievements of selected initiatives increases their visibility and promotes practices that others can learn from and build on.
The awards are organised by the Data Spaces Support Centre (DSSC) in collaboration with the European Commission and are closely aligned with the CEN-CENELEC, Maturity assessment of Common European Data Spaces, CEN/CLC/TS 18331:2026, July 2026.
The 2027 edition is the second edition of the European Data Space Awards. The inaugural edition received 61 applications across both award categories. Applications were evaluated by 16 reviewers from the DSSC community and a seven-member expert jury and the results were announced during the DSS 2026 with DJustConnect bring the winner of the 1st award category and Sphin-X the winner of the 2nd award category.
Any initiative fulfilling the following requirements: - The governance authority is registered in the EU (*); - It operates totally or partially in the EU; - It is actively being used to share data (**); - Data being shared includes restricted data (not only open data). (*) During 2026 many data spaces are still in implementation phase through a project, therefore the project coordinator is eligible to apply on behalf of the data space consortia. (**) During 2026 many data spaces are still in implementation phase, data shared in pilots close to operational or real-life conditions is considered valid to fulfil the requirements. Please note that only the governance authority or the project coordinator can apply on behalf of the data space.
There are two categories:
Excellence in End-User Engagement and Financial Sustainability
This award recognises data spaces that demonstrate a strong focus on end users alongside a viable long-term financial model.
Most Innovative Emerging Data Space
This award celebrates newer initiatives that bring fresh approaches and meaningful innovation to the European data space ecosystem.
Applications are assessed against evaluation criteria that are fully aligned with CEN-CENELEC, Maturity assessment of Common European Data Spaces. The information for applicants document (section 8) provides an elaborated view on the evaluation criteria.
Applications are submitted through the online form. The form is structured around the two award categories and the CEN-CENELEC, Maturity assessment of Common European Data Spaces. Applicants describe a solution active within their data space and explain its relevance to the selected category.
DSSC, with the support of a pool of evaluators, produces a shortlist of three candidates per category, assessed in alignment with the CEN-CENELEC, Maturity assessment of Common European Data Spaces. All applications will be evaluated by at least 3 evaluators, ensuring that no conflicts of interest arise. An expert jury then selects one winner per category from the shortlist. Shortlisted nominees are informed in advance so they can prepare for potential recognition at the Data Spaces Symposium 2027.
There is no monetary prize. Awardees receive strong visibility through DSSC and European Commission communication channels and a place on stage at the Data Spaces Symposium 2027. All shortlisted nominees are included in promotional activities.
Still have questions?
We are here to help
Still have questions about the application process or the award categories? Reach out to the DSSC team directly and we will get back to you.