Future Talks / Innovation Award

INNOVATION
AWARD2026

Recognising contributions
to technology and science.

Recognition, expert support and a full presentation of your project.

Explore the categories Prepare an application

Technology.
Science. People.FUTURE TALKS / AWARD

22 DECEMBER 2026 · 20:00–21:00MOSCOW · LOMONOSOV CLUSTERBACK TO THE SUMMIT ↗

About the award01 / INNOVATION AWARD

For achievements
in science and technology

Future Talks Innovation Award recognises technologies, their applications and the people who make these achievements possible.

We reward a specific result and help present it to experts, the professional community, the media and investors.

FOR ALL APPLICANTS

Expertise and recommendations

An opportunity to present to the panelEvery project that applies can join a group online session with relevant experts. Winning is not a requirement for receiving feedback.
Scores with an explanationExpert session participants receive a score sheet with criterion scores, strengths and specific recommendations for improvement.
Support for your next stageThe council helps identify next steps: validating the technology, developing the product, preparing a pilot or planning investor discussions.

FOR AWARD LAUREATES

Project presentation and visibility

An award and public recognitionA trophy, a diploma describing the achievement, a laureate badge and a project profile on the Future Talks website.
A full project presentationA prepared and rehearsed presentation with video and a demonstration. Experienced experts help shape the content and delivery.
Professional recordingWe film the presentation, prepare video materials and publish them on Future Talks channels and agreed partner platforms.
National mediaWe arrange coverage of laureates and their achievements, develop project stories and coordinate with journalists.
Connections with investorsWe share materials with our network and through partner networks, identify relevant contacts and arrange introductions.

Bonuses

Partner support

One-year subscription

Executive AI

Award laureates receive a 12-month Executive AI subscription.

An AI-powered service for working effectively on projects.

Laureate presentations02 / PROJECT PRESENTATIONS

A full
project presentation

Laureates explain their technology: the problem it solves, how it works and the results achieved so far. The stage brings together the project story, video and a demonstration — not just an award handover.

Laureate presentations are a separate programme format. The award ceremony takes place on 22 December from 20:00 to 21:00 Moscow time.

Prepare with experts
We focus the message, build the script and refine the slides and demonstration. We rehearse and prepare for questions.
Record the presentation
Professional video, photos and short clips. Use the materials in discussions and your own communications.
Share the achievement
We publish the recording, prepare materials for national media and share information through our own and partner channels.
Meet relevant investors
We help define your needs and prepare a project profile. Meetings are arranged where there is mutual interest. Investment decisions remain with the investor and team.

FUTURE TALKS / INNOVATION AWARD

Scores. Comments.
What to strengthen.

Criteria and weights are published for each category. Experts rate achievements on a shared 0–5 scale, converted to a total out of 100.

0Information is missing or has been disproved.
1A claim is made, with little supporting evidence.
2The result is partially documented; substantial questions remain.
3The result is convincingly demonstrated under the stated conditions.
4A strong result, backed by good evidence and clearly stated limitations.
5An exceptional result supported by especially compelling evidence.

Criterion score / 5 × criterion weight. The total is up to 100 points. Presentation quality and reputation cannot replace results.

FEEDBACK EXAMPLE

A specific assessment,
not a generic verdict

StrengthA working prototype addressing a clear customer need.

Not yet demonstratedComparable cost data before and after the pilot is missing.

What to strengthenMeasure results using the same set of tasks and obtain customer confirmation.

Next stepPrepare a pilot plan with success metrics.

HOW DECISIONS ARE MADE

A clear assessment of every project

Independent expertsAt least three experts with relevant expertise. Entries in each category are assessed on the same scale and under the same rules.
Explaining the scoresScores are discussed with participants and provided in writing with comments. Any revisions after clarification are explained.
Public resultsFinalist results and decision rationales are published under disclosure terms agreed in advance. Confidential materials remain with the panel.
No conflicts of interestExperts disclose connections to candidates and do not assess related projects. Partnership, tickets and stands do not earn extra points.

FUTURE TALKS / HOW TO TAKE PART

Award stages

An application, expert guidance and an on-stage project presentation.

Award schedule · 2026

Applications close30 November · 23:59 MSK

Initial analyst review30 November–5 December

Sector expert selection5–15 December

Award ceremony22 December

Updated on 2 November 2026: the award application deadline has been extended to 30 November 2026, 23:59 Moscow time. The schedule above replaces the previously published dates.

01 / APPLICATION
Tell us about your project
Choose a category, complete the questionnaire and provide evidence of your results. A coordinator will review your materials and help confirm the best category.
02 / ONLINE
Initial analyst review
From 30 November to 5 December, analysts review submitted materials, evidence and category fit, requesting clarification where needed.
03 / ASSESSMENT
Sector expert selection
From 5 to 15 December, sector experts assess projects against the published criteria and identify areas to strengthen. Session participants receive an individual assessment and written feedback.
04 / INTERVIEW
Meetings with leading candidates
A one-to-one discussion with relevant experts: demonstrate the solution, verify results and address questions left after the group stage.
05 / STAGE PREPARATION
A full project presentation
We work with finalists on scripts, slides, video and demonstrations. Expert-led rehearsals take place without revealing jury results. Laureate presentations are a separate programme format.
22 DECEMBER 2026 · 20:00–21:00
Award ceremony
We announce the Future Talks Innovation Award laureates. After the summit, we publish presentation recordings, work with national media and arrange connections with partners and investors.

Participation terms

We assess achievements,
not status

No entry fee or ticket purchase

Applying is free. The pitch session, exhibition and award are separate formats. Taking part in one does not confer an advantage in another.

A demonstrated result is required

You may submit a new result from an existing project. For technology, demonstrate that it works; for implementation, show pilot results; for media, submit published work.

One result — one category

Distinct achievements can be submitted separately. Where appropriate, a coordinator may suggest a better category with your agreement.

Teams and independent creators

Research groups and individual creators do not need a legal entity to participate. Team membership, representation and original contributions must be clear.

We verify facts and authorship

Separate proven results from plans. Do not share personal medical data or third-party materials without permission.

Support tailored to the project

Expert feedback is available regardless of winning. Further guidance and introductions depend on project needs and mutual interest.

Expert council05 / EXPERTISE

Relevant expertise
for every category

Scientists, engineers, technology customers, investors and science editors. Specialist panels are formed from the council. The organising committee runs the award; the jury assesses achievements.

Science and engineering

Originality, quality of experiments and technical feasibility.

Health and quality of life

Impact assessment, safety, accessibility and user experience.

Implementation and manufacturing

Customer experience, integration and measurable outcomes.

Investment and development

Technology risk, funding and progress to the next stage.

Research contribution

Individual and team contributions, and the significance of the achievement for the field.

Science in the media

Accuracy, sourcing and clear explanations of complex subjects.

The organising team

The people preparing Future Talks. Assessment panels will be published separately once expert participation is confirmed.

Margarita Pirinen

Co-founder and CEO of BIOS

Technology entrepreneurship and digital health.

01 / PRODUCT / HEALTHTECH

Anna Minakova

Futures strategist · sustainability expert

Strategic foresight, ESG and long-term development scenarios.

02 / FORESIGHT / SUSTAINABILITY

Ilya Chekh

Founder of Motorica and Gravity Frontiers

Robotics, science-based entrepreneurship and space technology.

03 / ROBOTICS / SPACETECH

Vladimir Vasilyev

Entrepreneur, AI expert

10+ years of enterprise AI-transformation practice.

04 / AI / ENTERPRISE TRANSFORMATION

22 December 2026 / Ceremony

Award presentation

20:00–21:00

Six categories.
People and achievements recognised by the jury.

Lomonosov Cluster · Molecule Hall
1 Ramensky Boulevard, Moscow

Summit venue ↗

Prepare your materials

Participant questionnaire

Choose a category to see the questions the panel uses to assess your achievement. Be specific: the problem, your contribution, the result and the evidence.

For each piece of evidence, specify what it proves, the testing conditions, a link to the material and who can verify the result.

Choose a category, describe your results and save your completed questionnaire.

Complete the questionnaire and download the file before closing the page. Downloading does not submit it to the organisers.

Participant and achievement Project name or candidate name * Category * Contact person and role * Email * Organisation, country and city The achievement in one sentence *Up to 300 characters. When was the result achieved? * What results do you already have? *

Evidence and support needs Materials supporting the result *At least one substantive piece of evidence. Link to reports, tests, publications or a demonstration. Do not include confidential data. Project website What support would you like from the expert session? Connections to organisers and experts

This downloads a file; it does not submit an application. Publishing materials or sharing contact details requires a separate agreement.

Frequently asked questions

Can I receive feedback without winning?

Yes. Every project that applies has an opportunity to attend an expert session. Participants receive their scores, written comments and recommendations.

How does a laureate presentation differ from the award handover?

It is a full project presentation: the problem, solution, results and a demonstration. We help prepare the script, slides and delivery. Presentations are a separate programme format, not a short acceptance speech.

Who helps prepare the presentation?

Experienced content, presentation and public-speaking experts help participants with structure, video, demonstrations and questions. Preparation starts with finalists without revealing the jury decision.

Where will recordings and coverage appear?

Videos are published on Future Talks channels and agreed partner platforms. Organisers prepare media support and coverage of laureates in national media. Platforms, formats and dates are agreed separately.

How are investor introductions arranged?

We help prepare a project profile and investment request, share materials through our own and partner networks, and arrange relevant introductions and meetings. Partners send communications to their own databases. Materials are shared with team consent. Investment is not guaranteed.

How can I prepare an award application?

Choose a category, describe the candidate or project’s contribution and add links to supporting materials. The questionnaire helps you present the results clearly. You can download the completed questionnaire.

Do I need to buy a ticket or a stand?

No. Applying for the award is free and does not depend on buying a ticket or stand, or taking part in the pitch session.

BIOS AI × FUTURE TALKSYOUR NEXT QUESTION

BIOS AI answers

Questions
about Future Talks

Categories, criteria and application preparation.
Ask a question or choose a suggestion.

TECHNOLOGY. PEOPLE. THE FUTURE.Back to top ↑

INNOVATIONAWARD2026

For achievementsin science and technology

Expertise and recommendations

Project presentation and visibility

Bonuses

Executive AI

A fullproject presentation

Categories

Technology Breakthrough

Technology for People

Technology Implementation

Investment in Technology

Individual Contribution to Science and Technology

Science and Technology in the Media

Scores. Comments.What to strengthen.

A specific assessment,not a generic verdict