Eni, based in Italy, is a major integrated energy company and seeks to promote and reward research and technological innovation in the fields of energy and the environment.

Launched in 2008, the Eni Award is an international award aiming to promote and reward research and technological innovation in energy. In particular, proposals are welcome that are devoted to promoting the use of breakthrough, experimental and innovative technologies, processes and tools, enabling a holistic perspective, and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The initiative seeks to recognise achievements in the following categories:

• Energy Frontiers – Promotes disruptive ideas in the field of new energy sources, renewable energies and related processes aimed at changing the energy paradigm of the future and to achieve the decarbonisation of energy systems, with particular attention to energy management and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
• Advanced Environmental Solutions – Technological innovation to foster the development of a sustainable and resilient nature within a continuously changing climate scenario, through the enhancement of nature-based solutions, and the preservation and restoration of natural capital, in order to accelerate the transition towards environmentally sustainable business models, according with the ‘One Planet, One Health’ perspective.
• Energy Transition – Technological innovation aimed at reducing carbon footprint during the transition period from the current energy production system to a neutral one that respects environmental impact.
• Young Researcher of the Year (two awards available) – Awarded for two PhD research theses, from candidates at Italian universities, addressing topics related to energy and environment.
• Young Talents from Africa (two awards available) – Promotes and encourages new generations of African researchers to emerge and participate in the scientific and technological development of their countries, by supporting their research and innovation ideas on various scientific topics related to energy and environment.

Awards are open to researchers or groups of scientists worldwide who have achieved internationally significant results in the research and development of technologies in the specific award fields.

The Young Researcher of the Year category must be guaranteed by professors, department/institute directors, faculty deans and chancellors of universities or research centres operating in Italy. The student must have been born in or after 1993.

For the Young Talents from Africa category, candidates must: be of African citizenship; have obtained a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree (or equivalent); and be carrying out PhD research in a university/institute in an African country.

The awards consist of an indivisible sum of €200,000 (for Energy Frontiers, Advanced Environmental Solutions and Energy Transition awards) and an indivisible sum of €25,000 (for Young Researcher of the Year and Young Talents from Africa awards). Winners also receive a customised plaque.