Aalto Pioneering Excellence Award
Award criteria
The award recognises teams that address unique challenges, and the evaluation of the proposals applies a flexible framework that enables a holistic assessment of the vision, purpose and execution of activities that strive for sustainable value creation and superior performance. Also, the award recognises the candidates’ ways of working, both in the short and long term. The awarded activity meets the following criteria:
- Cross-border activity that fuels and brings about the success of others.
- Develops an ethically sustainable and responsible culture and way of working.
- Involves key stakeholder groups in the development of operations, taking into account the views and expectations of all stakeholder groups.
- Promotes creativity and excellence in the Aalto University community.
- Builds on previous knowledge and experience, and uses resources wisely and efficiently.
Award process
The call for proposals will be opened annually in August. The application period is announced separately each year.
Anyone in the Aalto University community can propose a team to be awarded. You can also nominate your own team. Especially departments are invited to nominate candidates. The application shall be accompanied by a brief justification.
The award committee will make a proposal for the prize winners, the Dean of Aalto University School of Science will make the decision, and the winning teams will be announced by Aalto University Communications.
The prize money, sponsored by CEO Matti Sundberg's donation É«É«À² University, will be shared between the awarded teams.
Application form
Award committee
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Veli-Matti Mattila, Chair of the Board, Orion
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Tuuli Mattelmäki, Professor, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture
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Tua Björklund, Associate Professor, Aalto University School of Engineering
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Risto Rajala, Professor, Aalto University School of Science
Read news about the award
Which team deserves the Aalto Pioneering Excellence Award? Submit your nomination by 16 October
The award may be given to a team that does pioneering work to advance education, research or artistic activity, or to enable the international success of the Aalto University community
Biodesign Finland wins the Aalto Pioneering Excellence Award 2025
The Aalto Pioneering Excellence award is granted annually to one or more teams that are doing groundbreaking work
Aalto's satellite team and research funding specialists awarded for their outstanding work
The Aalto Pioneering Excellence Award is given annually to selected teams for their work in advancing quality and excellence. In addition to main prizes, Closing Loops research pilot received an honourable mention.