CIGRE Innovation & Education Fund announces its first 11 grant recipients
The first grant recipient selection of the CIGRE Innovation & Education Fund was a great success. More than 60 applications were received from countries around the world, presenting a wide range of highly relevant projects across key areas such as innovation, education, and humanitarian initiatives.
Following a rigorous and challenging selection process, the CIGRE Innovation & Education Fund selected 11 outstanding projects to receive funding.
Konstantin Papailiou, President of the Board of Directors of the CIGRE Innovation & Education Fund, officially announced the results during the Opening Ceremony of the CIGRE 2026 Session in Paris.
We are delighted to introduce the 2026 Grant Recipients:
Category innovation
- ‘’From Molecules to Power Transformers’’ - University of Tokyo, advocated by CIGRE Study Committee D1.
- ‘’Low-carbon transition pathways and standardization for rural energy systems’’ – University of Wuhan, advocated by CIGRE China.
- ‘’Novel theory for a whole-system concept for the energy transition’’ – University of Cape Town, advocated by CIGRE South Africa.
- ‘’Virtual power plants for reliable energy in South Asia’’ – University of Edith Cowan, advocated by CIGRE Australia.
Category education
- ‘’Empowering rural schools on renewable energy education’’ - Montenegrin Professional Association for Energy, advocated by CIGRE Australia.
- ‘’Whole energy system planning for the energy transition’’ - University of Birmingham, advocated by CIGRE United Kingdom.
- ‘’Empowering women for sustainable community development’’ – CIGRE West Africa
- ‘’Forecasting for emerging grid demands and AI data centers’’ – University of Calgary, advocated by CIGRE Canada.
Category Humanitarian
- ‘’Rural electrification & training in Ethiopia’’ – Sahay Solar, advocated by CIGRE Switzerland.
- ‘’Sustainable electricity for isolated rural populations, Madagascar, Benin and Togo’’ – Electriciens sans frontiers, advocated by CIGRE France.
- ‘’Sustainable electricty for rural villages’’ – Universidad del Valle, advocated by CIGRE Colombia.