The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) organises and promotes the Spanish edition of the Cosmos Prize, an international project dedicated to promoting scientific literacy and curiosity. Its mission is to promote critical thinking and scientific culture among young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, through reading and discussing outstanding works of scientific dissemination.

Each year, two prizes are awarded: one by a distinguished scientific committee and another by student juries from secondary schools across participating countries.

The project connects schools, educators, and authors to inspire the next generation of scientists and foster a deeper public understanding of fundamental science.

The Cosmos Prize is also celebrated in other European countries, including Italy, France, and the Netherlands, sharing the same mission of promoting scientific culture and engaging young people in science.

Prizes

Each year, two main recognitions are granted within the framework of the Cosmos Prize:

Cosmos Prize

Awarded by a committee composed of internationally renowned scientists. This prize honors authors of popular science works who have made an outstanding contribution to improving the public understanding of fundamental science.

Cosmos Student Prize

Assigned by an assembly of secondary school students through a system of “Student Juries” organized across the Canary Islands. Students read the shortlisted books, take part in debates and interviews with the authors, and vote for their favorite work.

Both prizes are presented at a ceremony attended by the winning authors, members of the scientific committee, and delegations of students.

Cosmos Prizes 2025-2026

In the 2025-2026 academic year, the IAC is launching the first Cosmos Prize in Spain with a pilot edition in the Canary Islands, carried out in collaboration with the STEAM Area of the Regional Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity and Sport of the Canary Islands Government and with the support of the Royal Canary Islands Academy of Sciences. This project also has the generous sponsorship of the CajaCanarias Foundation, whose contribution has been essential in making it possible. This project also benefits from the generous patronage of Fundación CajaCanarias, whose contribution has been essential in making it possible.

Participation

Interested schools can register through the official call published by the Government of the Canary Islands until 9 December 2025. Each school forms a Student Jury, guided by a reference teacher.

The jury reads the finalist books, participates in educational activities, talks with the authors, and chooses their favourite work.

The official awards ceremony will take place in Tenerife at the end of the 2025-26 school year, with the participation of the finalist authors, the juries, and student representatives from each school.

Travel and accommodation expenses for the student representatives and accompanying teachers for the awards ceremony are fully covered:

• Public schools: funded by the Government of the Canary Islands.
• Private and charter schools: funded by the CajaCanarias Foundation.

This means that no school is excluded.

More information at Cosmos Prize Official Website

Registration available at Call by the Government of the Canary Islands.