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Young Scientist Award

Young Scientist Award ©Clean Hydrogen Partnership

The Young Scientist Award, organised annually by Hydrogen Europe Research, celebrates outstanding young researchers (35 years old or younger) from our member organisations who have made remarkable personal contributions to hydrogen-related projects. This competition highlights the achievements of students, PhD candidates, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career researchers, while encouraging their involvement in Clean Hydrogen Partnership initiatives.

Each year, the award recognises excellence across four key pillars, reflecting the priorities of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. One young scientist is honoured within each pillar, and an additional researcher is named the “Best Researcher of the Year”.

The award ceremony usually takes place in person in Brussels, bringing together the hydrogen community to celebrate these emerging talents.

Each of the five winners receives €1000 and a trophy, recognising their exceptional contributions and commitment to advancing hydrogen research.

The 2026 competition will officially open for applications in June.

Past Winners

The following researchers have been recognised for their groundbreaking work, representing the very best of early-career talent within our member organisations. Their dedication is an inspiration for the next generation of scientists joining the hydrogen sector.

  • 2025 Winners

    • Hydrogen Production

      Drialys CARDENAS MORCOSO (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology – LIST)

    • Hydrogen storage and distribution

      Tom DEPOVER (University of Ghent)

    • Hydrogen usages

      Elena CRESPI (Fondazione Bruno Kessler)

    • Cross-Cutting activities

      Sergii KASHKAROV (Ulster University)

    • Best researcher of the year

      Giovanni DI ILIO (Università degli Studi di Napoli Parthenope)

    • Hydrogen production

      Michele Bolognese (Fondazione Bruno Kessler)

    • Hydrogen storage and distribution

      Lisa Blanchard (CEA)

    • Hydrogen usages

      Merit Bodner (Graz University of Technology)

    • Cross-Cutting activities

      Donatella Cirrone (Ulster University)

    • Best researcher of the year

      Erika Michela Dematteis (University of Torino)

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