During the refinement phase you can get tips and suggestions for improvement for your project idea from us. Attention: this has to be done before applying, if you are still working on the project draft!

Simply save your project draft and click on the "Refinement" button at the top of the page or open the "Refinement" tab. You will then be taken to the "Refinement" conversation page, where you can ask your questions. We will try to respond as soon as possible so that you can improve your project idea before submitting it.

You can also attend one of our support formats like the Infohours where you can ask all your questions about the SIA application process or book an 1-one-1 Coaching Session with one of our competent experts. Simply register via Eventbrite.

Yes! Come by and join us at all Social Impact Award events. Our workshops, webinars, and events are free of charge, and we warmly welcome all interested persons. We would appreciate if you register for them via Eventbrite as it helps us in planning. 
For our new “Discovery Journey” program, all you need is a problem you want to develop a solution for – making it perfect for you if you’re just starting out.

For our new “Discovery Journey” program, all you need is a problem you want to develop a solution for – making it perfect for you if you’re just starting out.

The application of more than one project by one single person or team is valid. However, each application has to comprise a clearly defined project and to be complete in the submitted documents (have a look at the formal criteria of application).

If you are one of the finalists, you should dedicate yourself to your project during the summer (July to September). Depending on the progress of your project, you will put together a business model and a business concept, generate first prototypes and take the first steps towards implementation. The Social Impact Award allows you to fully concentrate on your project and to get very far in a short time.

In addition, we offer you a workspace with office infrastructure and access to a pool of experts as well as our worldwide network of social entrepreneurs. During this time, you should also report regularly to the Social Impact Award Team about your progress - a mentor will accompany you during the process. This will allow you to present your project and its progress to other interested parties, supporters and potential partners.

After the submission phase, our screening team will review all submitted project ideas and sort them into the chosen program track (based on your selection: either Discovery Journey or Incubation).

For the SIA incubation, they will create a shortlist of the most promising project ideas based on our submission criteria. This will then be forwarded to our jury, which will select the 10 best finalist projects for the SIA incubation based on the criteria: social impact, innovation, and feasibility.

If you have selected both options, also to participate in the Discovery Journey, you will receive an invitation to join it if you meet the submission criteria, even if you have not been selected as a finalist project.

Even if you are not able to dedicate the summer to your project during the summer, you can still benefit from applying to the Social Impact Award.

Taking part in our webinars or making use of our broad online support offer gives you valuable input for the development of your project idea. By applying, you will receive feedback on your project idea from our screening team and jury.

However, you are not eligible to receive one of the Social Impact Award Finalist Tickets as these are reserved for those projects and project teams that are able to work on their ideas during the summer months.

You should also only apply for our Discovery Journey if you have time available in the summer. Although this program takes place online, it still requires approximately 5 hours per week of your time.

If you have further questions, please visit our website or social media channels or contact us directly via our online contact form.

Submitters acknowledge that they comply with the rules of the competition and accept the decisions of the selection team and jury.

The Discovery Journey is our new program designed for very early-stage ideas that are still in the conceptual phase. This means you can fill out the "Idea Core," but the other fields may still be difficult to complete. It’s ideal if you want to acquire fundamental social entrepreneurship know-how and participate in the program online.

The SIA Incubation is our renowned support program for projects that already have well-developed impact and business models and may have tested their first implementation. Participation in this program requires attending our offline workshops, which take place at specific locations in Austria and Germany.