GICHD Innovation Award 2025 – Submissions Now Open until 11 April!
Can you push the boundaries of innovation in mine action? Do you have groundbreaking ideas that can drive real-world impact?
The GICHD Innovation Award 2025 is a new initiative designed to engage the scientific and research community. We’re calling on innovators, researchers, and problem-solvers to submit innovative ideas which respond to needs-based problems statements that address key challenges in mine action.
This award takes the form of a Call for Papers, fostering fresh thinking and connecting innovation with practical application. By bridging your visionary ideas with real-world solutions, we aim to generate measurable improvements in the field.
Topics – problem statements (Choose one)
- Problem statement 1: Improving the accuracy of estimating explosive ordnance hazardous areas
- Problem statement 2: Quantifying residual risk in land release
The Award
Incentives and recognition
The Awardee(s) will be given the opportunity to showcase their idea at the upcoming GICHD Innovation Conference 2025, explore avenues for partnerships, and receive a monetary prize of CHF 4000 as recognition of their achievement.
Target Audience
Individuals, organizations, and consortiums that bring diverse perspectives and expertise from a variety of sectors including academia, technology providers, and entrepreneurs.
Evaluation
An independent panel of experts will review the submissions based on evaluation criteria including; innovation, feasibility, scalability and potential impact. The panel will include experts from mine action, academia, technology, the GICHD, as well as mine action donors.
Timeline overview: Key dates of submissions and evaluation process
| Deadline for submission of abstracts | 11 April 2025 |
| Communication of shortlisted participants | 23 April 2025 |
| Deadline for submission of full papers (selected participants) | 06 June 2025 |
| Communication of final participants | 04 July 2025 |
| Presentations to the award panel (final participants) | 07 July - 08 August 2025 |
| Award decision and announcement | 01 September 2025 |
| Award ceremony/GICHD Innovation Conference 2025 | 28 - 30 October 2025 |
Point of contact
For additional information about the Award, please contact Alain Nellen at a.nellen@gichd.org
Protection of personal data: By participating in the GICHD Innovation Award 2025, you consent to the Privacy Notice for GICHD Events. Requests or questions about how your personal data will be used can be sent to innovation@gichd.org. For additional information about the Award, please contact Alain Nellen (a.nellen@gichd.org)
Donors
The GICHD Innovation Award was made possible thanks to the financial support of our donors.
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) Switzerland
German Federal Foreign Office