The 2026 “Orienteering 4 Research” Award: applications are now open

The 2026 “Orienteering 4 Research” Award: applications are now open
Applications are now open for the 2026 “Orienteering 4 Research” Award, organised by PWT Italia SSD as part of the “Orienteering 4 Research” project – of which Sardegna Ricerche is one of the promoters – in collaboration with the University of Cagliari, the University of Sassari and FISO (the Italian Orienteering Federation).

The initiative was launched to support and raise the profile of scientific research into orienteering, encouraging the generation of knowledge in the fields of sports and physical education, health, neuroscience, medicine, psychology, engineering and digital technologies. The areas recognised by the award include: motor and sporting performance, health and wellbeing, neuroscience and cognitive functions, visuospatial orientation, education and training, environmental sustainability, and technological innovation applied to sport. Interdisciplinary research is also eligible, provided that orienteering forms one of the central elements of the study.
The competition offers four prizes: two Senior Prizes worth 1,500 euros each and two Junior Prizes worth 500 euros each.

Who is eligible to apply:
Applications are open to holders of bachelor’s and master’s degrees, PhD holders, PhD candidates and research fellows who are duly enrolled at, affiliated with, or have graduated from the University of Cagliari or the University of Sassari.

For the Senior Awards, candidates must have produced, between 1 January 2024 and 31 August 2026, at least one scientific publication that has been published, accepted for publication or is currently under review, or an abstract accepted as an oral presentation or poster at a national or international conference, with the candidate listed as the first or last author.
For the Junior Awards, a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD thesis with orienteering as its main topic is required, completed within the same period.

How to apply:
Applications must be submitted using Form A attached to the call for applications, signed by hand, and sent exclusively by email to info@orienteering.it by 23:59 on 21 September 2026.

The application must be accompanied by a curriculum vitae, a copy of the work submitted (publication, manuscript under review, conference proceedings, thesis), the author’s self-certification confirming the publication, acceptance or review of the article, and an explanatory report of no more than two pages on the objectives, methodology, results, innovative elements and possible applications of the research.
Applications will be assessed by a committee appointed by PWT Italia and Sardegna Ricerche, comprising experts from the academic and research communities. The winners will be announced and the prizes awarded in 2026, during the scientific event dedicated to research on orienteering organised by PWT Italia and Sardegna Ricerche.

To download the Call and the Annex A please refer to the following links