GCSP Prize for Innovation in Global Security 2016

The prize is designed to reach across all relevant disciplines and fields. It seeks to reward the most inspiring, innovative and ground-breaking contribution of the year, whether this comes in the form of an initiative, invention, research publication, or organisation.

The prize consists of a cash award of CHF 10’000, a ceremonial awards dinner in Geneva, and all travel expenses for the winner.

The 1^st GCSP Prize for Innovation in Global Security was awarded on 26 November 2015 to a project entitled “Improve the Protection of Children in Conflict - Expanding the function of the ‘Children and Armed Conflict Mobile Application’ towards MRM practitioners in the field”.

This mobile app provides a user-friendly pool of resources and recommendations concerning International Humanitarian Law. 

Rules and Regulations

1. The prize is awarded for a project or body of work by any individual, or group of individuals, or organisation, (from private or public sectors) which contributes to global security, and has been submitted for consideration according to these rules and regulations. No more than one submission per applicant is allowed.
2. Submissions may come from any country, but the project should go beyond national borders in its reach or thinking, and must seek to address global security in innovative ways or through new ideas.
3. The prize is intended to encourage and recognise excellence in contributing to new approaches to enhancing Sustainable Global Security.
4. The prize is awarded by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), as part of its Programme for Geopolitics and Global Futures, under the Creativity and Innovation Initiative.
5. Employees and staff of GCSP, as well as their family members are not eligible participants.
6. The application process consists in two steps.
      a. Step 1: Fill out the online application form, including a project abstract of 250 words maximum.
      b. Step 2: Send by e-mail to innovation.prize@gcsp.ch a well-developed submission which should not exceed 1,000 words in length. The submission should include a description of the initiative or project, an explanation of the concept’s significance in the context of global security and our collective global future, and should clearly demonstrate how the idea provides a novel contribution to this field.
7. Submissions must be in English.
8. GCSP will provide a receipt of submission; proof of sending an application does not constitute proof of receipt.
9. The deadline for submissions is 30 September 2016, and the winner will be announced in November 2016.
10. A panel of independent GCSP experts will evaluate and attribute a score to each valid submission received. The top 75% will then be passed to the judges for their consideration.
11. The winner will be selected by a panel of judges that will be co-chaired by the Director of the GCSP and the Head of the Geopolitics and Global Futures Programme, and selection will be based on the following criteria:
       a. Dedication to Sustainable Global Security
       b. Preservation of Human Dignity, Security and Justice
       c. Creativity
       d. Originality
12. GCSP reserves the right to disqualify any submission from further consideration.
13. The winner will be notified immediately prior to the public announcement, using the means of contact provided upon application.
14. The Prize is CHF 10’000 in cash, and no equivalent or alternative will be provided. The prize will be awarded to the winner at a Gala Dinner ceremony in Geneva. In addition to the prize, all travel to, and attendance at the Gala Dinner, will be paid by the GCSP. Travel includes, where applicable, standard or economy-class round-trip air travel to Geneva from the nearest international airport, and overnight accommodation. This applies to the winner, or a representative of the winning individual or group. Travel will be organised and paid for by the organisers in coordination with the winner, who agrees to provide the relevant personal details necessary for organising such travel.
15. The organisers reserve the right to oblige any potential winner to provide information such that the organisers might be satisfied with the rigour and integrity of the work, as well as the compliance of the project with the goal of Sustainable Global Security.
    16. If a winner is announced, but is disqualified for any reason before receipt of the prize, the organisers may at their sole discretion declare another winner.
16. The organisers reserve the right to amend the rules and regulations. If the rules and regulations are amended, the organisers will contact those who have already submitted applications and update them with regard to the altered rules.
17. Entry implies acceptance of these rules, and all applicants agree to be bound by them upon submitting an application.
18. The organisers will keep personal details submitted with the application for a reasonable time so that contact can be taken up with potential winners, to verify that these rules have been complied with. An ‘opt out’ policy regulates the marketing communication, and if the applicant wishes to subsequently unsubscribe from receiving information they should contact the GCSP directly.
19. The GCSP will not pass on your personal details to any other organisation, with the sole exception of naming the winner(s) and publicising the winner in accordance with these rules and regulations.
20. The winner(s) agree to have his/her/their name(s) published for promotion purposes along with a description of the winning project, and to be available for media requests including photographs and interviews.
21. All decisions made by the organisers in relation to the Contest are final and no correspondence concerning decisions will be entered into.
22. The organisers reserve the right to cancel the prize at any time.
23. The organisers are not liable for any damage, loss or disappointment suffered by any person taking part or not being able to take part.
24. This competition is governed by Swiss law, and the place of jurisdiction is Geneva.
    Geneva Centre for Security Policy