Questions and answers about the XXIII Edition of the Award
How many times can I apply for the Award?
The same project may be submitted to the Talgo Award for Technological Innovation in up to three consecutive editions. If a project is submitted for a fourth consecutive time, it will be automatically disqualified. Once three years have passed since the last submission, the project may be submitted again, resetting the count of how many times it has been entered.
However, an individual or company may submit as many different projects as they wish, whether within the same edition or in future editions, as long as each submission is a distinct project.
How can I submit the declaration of authorship?
The declaration of authorship and originality is a signed document that must be submitted at the time of sending the work. In this document, you must declare that you are the author of the work, that it is an original project, and that you are aware of the legal terms of the Award. You can download an example at this link.
What is the maximum length of the project?
The project report must not exceed 20 pages. However, annexes may be attached to complement the information if needed.
What is the maximum length of the video?
The length of the video explaining the project’s objective and motivation should not exceed 60 seconds. It is not a mandatory field, but it is recommended for project evaluation.
What is the evaluation process?
Once all projects have been received and the submission deadline has passed on June 1, 2026, the documentation will be sent to the Selection Committees for evaluation. The Committees will have approximately one month to assess the projects and will convene to select the three finalists in each category, with the possibility of leaving one or both categories vacant.
After the Committees’ assessment, the finalist projects will be handed over to the Jury, who will have approximately two months for their evaluation. The Jury will meet in September to jointly decide the winners in both categories.
What are the evaluation criteria?
Both the Selection Committees and the Jury will analyze and evaluate the projects based on the scoring and criteria established in a detailed evaluation rubric. The indicators included in this rubric are as follows:
- Degree of Innovation (Weight: 35% in Mobility / 35% in Railway Technology): Assesses the novelty and the improvement introduced by the proposed product or service, not only within the mobility sector but also in other relevant sectors.
- Technical Description of the Proposal (Weight: 10% in Mobility / 15% in Railway Technology): Evaluates whether the final outcome is supported by solid technical development and a sound theoretical foundation, resulting in a useful, applicable solution that provides clear value.
- Economic Description of the Proposal (Weight: 5% in Mobility / 5% in Railway Technology): Considers whether the final deliverable includes a well‑substantiated economic justification.
- Alignment with Strategic Innovation Themes (Weight: 20% in Mobility / 30% in Railway Technology): Examines whether the project aligns with strategic innovation priorities in the sector, developing a solution that addresses at least one of the following areas: safety; availability and versatility; user experience; energy efficiency and sustainability; and smart trains.
- Degree of Development (Weight: 30% in Mobility / 15% in Railway Technology): Reviews how close the project is to market readiness and/or its current stage of development.
When will the resolution of the Award be communicated?
The Award decision will be announced during the awards ceremony. However, after the Jury’s evaluation in September, all participants will be informed whether they have been selected as finalists or not.
Do I have to select which category I am applying for at any point in the process?
No, once received, Talgo will categorize the project into the appropriate category.
Can I extend or modify my project once it has been submitted?
Yes, the project can be expanded or modified as long as the modification is made before June 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM. To do so, it is necessary to contact premiotalgo@talgo.com, providing your full name, project name, and attaching the document to be modified.
To whom is this Award addressed? Who can apply?
The Talgo Award for Technological Innovation is open to any individual or company with an innovative idea that adds value to our sector. It is open to individuals, as well as public or private administrations, entities, organizations, or bodies, both nationally and internationally.
Employees of Talgo or its Foundation are not eligible to participate in the XXIII edition of the Talgo Award for Technological Innovation. Neither are the members of the Selection Committee and the Official Jury, nor their family members.