The EU Blue Economy provides over 5 million jobs and approximately 4% of Europe’s Gross Domestic Product. New technologies, including underwater engineering and DNA sequencing offer possibilities to increase this contribution. To capture this potential, the European Commission has launched a Blue Growth initiative which explores new ways to contribute to the EU's economy through technological, industrial and financial innovation whilst respecting the scarcity and vulnerability of marine resources.

The jury will have the possibility to select among the applicants the Woman of the Year in the Blue Economy and the Rising Blue Star of the Year (up to 35 years old).

The Blue Economy Business Awards recognises and reward individuals or organisations who have made a specific contribution to bringing and developing innovation in the Blue Economy.

After being selected by the jury, the 9 finalists (3 per award) will be invited to the Gala Dinner to  attend the Award Ceremony in Hamburg and the 3 winners will be announced and receive a certificate.

If you have any other questions please write to MARE-C1@ec.europa.eu

Deadline to apply is 15th July 2016 (18pm UTC +1)!

The awards will be given during the Gala Dinner, to be held at the International Maritime Museum (foyer) on 12 September 2016, starting at 19h.

Eligibility criteria:

1. The applicant (as individual or as a company) must be established in an EU Member State or in an Associated Country (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, FYR Macedonia, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland and Turkey).

2. The submission consists of a complete application written in English

3. The applicant (individual or representative of the company) can be selected as winner of the "Woman of the Year in the Blue Economy" award only if she is of female gender

4. The applicant (individual or representative of the company) can be selected as winner of the "Rising Blue Star of the Year" award only if (s)he is not older than 35 years.

Source: DG MARE