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Young Scientist Award

Young Scientist Award ©Clean Hydrogen Partnership

The Young Scientist Award, hosted annually by Hydrogen Europe Research, is designed to honor promising young researchers (35 years old or younger) affiliated with our member organisations. These individuals have made significant personal contributions to hydrogen-related projects.

Through this competition, Hydrogen Europe Research seeks to spotlight the efforts of students, PhD candidates, postdoctoral fellows, and young researchers while fostering their participation in Clean Hydrogen Partnership projects. Additionally, the aim is to attract emerging talent to the hydrogen and fuel cell sector.

Applications for the Young Scientist Award 2026 are now closed!

Like previous years, the 2026 competition will focus on four key pillars aligned with the framework of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. One young scientist will be recognised within each pillar, and an additional one will be elected the "Best Researcher of the Year", resulting in a total of five awards.

Research endeavors may include fundamental studies, practical applications, and analytical investigations across various categories, including:

  • Hydrogen production

  • Hydrogen storage and distribution

  • Hydrogen usages

  • Cross-Cutting activities (such as safety, regulations, codes and standards or education)

The award ceremony will take place in person in Brussels, during the Research Days - 2 & 3 December 2026.

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)

Become a member

Join Hydrogen Europe Research and become part of a strong European network helping shape the future of hydrogen! Members benefit from greater visibility, access to strategic discussions, and a shared voice at the European level.
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