The Rafael Crecente Research Awards reach their ninth edition this year, consolidating their position as one of the leading initiatives aimed at promoting emerging talent and innovation applied to rural development, environmental conservation, and territorial management in Galicia.
Organized annually since 2017 by the University of Santiago de Compostela through the Institute of Agricultural Biodiversity and Rural Development (IBADER) and the Land Lab (LaboraTe), the awards pay tribute to Professor Rafael Crecente Maseda, one of Galicia’s leading experts in territorial planning and land management and the driving force behind numerous pioneering initiatives in this field.
The 9th Edition is now open for applications, and submissions will be accepted until 30 September 2026. The main novelty of this year’s call is that applications must now be submitted exclusively through the Electronic Registry of the USC Electronic Headquarters, replacing the system used in previous editions. This change adapts the call to the University’s electronic administration procedures, strengthening administrative safeguards and facilitating the management of a growing number of applications year after year.
Nearly a decade supporting ideas to transform the territory
Over its previous eight editions, the Rafael Crecente Awards have helped identify and showcase innovative proposals linked to sustainability, territorial innovation, and rural development. In the latest edition, the first prize was awarded to Lorena Salgado and Rubén Forján, while the second prize went to Laura Prieto. In addition, the jury granted several honourable mentions to recognize the quality of other submissions, reflecting both the high standard of the applications received and the diversity of approaches through which improvements to the Galician territory can be achieved. Award-winning proposals can be consulted on the LaboraTe website.
The call is especially aimed at recent graduates, rewarding ideas and projects capable of generating a real impact on the Galician territory.
The jury will assess aspects such as the practical feasibility of the proposals, their applicability, their contribution to territorial sustainability and resource management, as well as their social innovation components.
Two awards recognising emerging talent
The 9th Edition includes two prizes:
- First Prize: €2,000 and an official certificate.
- Second Prize: €1,000 and an official certificate.
The award ceremony is expected to take place in autumn 2026 in the city of Lugo.
How to apply
All information related to the call, including the terms and conditions and the required application documents, is available through the USC Electronic Notice Board and the IBADER website.
Interested candidates must submit their proposals through the Electronic Registry of the USC Electronic Headquarters before 30 September 2026.
The organizers encourage recent graduates to submit their proposals and contribute new ideas to the challenges of rural development, environmental sustainability, and territorial management in Galicia.
For queries or questions regarding the application process, candidates may contact the organization at premio.rafaelcrecente@usc.es .