EURBICA works to advance the objectives of ICA within the European context while representing the perspectives and priorities of the region’s archival community. The awards programme supports EURBICA’s vision, core organizational values, mission pillars, and 2025–2029 strategic goals by recognising excellence that strengthens professional solidarity, collaboration, public value, responsible stewardship, and access to Europe’s documentary heritage. The EURBICA Awards are designed to be inclusive of the diversity of the European archival landscape and open to partnerships that bring demonstrable benefits to archives and their users.
General governance and annual timeline of the Awards Programme
The EURBICA Executive Board appoints an independent Award Jury each year. In line with EURBICA’s Constitution, the Board may co-opt specialist members for designated tasks; the Award Jury may therefore include co-opted experts alongside EURBICA Governing Board members.
The award call is published annually. This year submission deadline is 15 July 2026.
Submissions must be sent through the individual webforms (see below). For any questions prior to submission, nominators and nominees can contact eurbica@ica.org.
Nominations may be submitted by any individual, group, institution, or partnership, as stated under the specific award category.
Awardees are expected to collaborate with EURBICA on a short communication package (summary text and images) to support visibility and knowledge sharing, subject to rights and permissions.
The next steps
- Jury invitation and confirmation
- Q&A and applicant support
- Closing of the nominations (15th of July)
- Jury evaluation and decision
- Notification and coordination with awardees
- Award ceremony at the EURBICA Annual Assembly (13th November)
- Communication and follow-up
1. European Archival Innovation Award
The European Archival Innovation Award recognises an outstanding project or initiative that advances archival practice through innovation in at least one clearly defined professional area. Applications are welcome from time-bound projects as well as ongoing services, programmes, or institutional initiatives. While the award particularly encourages the adoption of new and emerging technologies—such as automation, AI-assisted workflows, data science, linked/open data, modern discovery platforms, or novel digital preservation approaches the innovation may also be methodological, organisational, service-based, conservation related.
Indicators of excellence
- Clear problem definition and professional relevance: a well-defined challenge in a specific archival domain and a solution grounded in archival practice.
- Effective use of technology (where applicable): appropriate selection and responsible implementation of new or emerging technologies, with clear benefits for the archives or their users.
- Demonstrable impact: measurable improvements in preservation outcomes, service performance, discoverability, accessibility, or user experience—depending on the domain addressed.
- Sound professional and ethical approach: respect for archival principles and standards; responsible for handling sensitive data and rights.
- Sustainability: evidence that the initiative can be maintained over time
- Transferability: documentation and clarity that enable adaptation or replication by other archives or partners. (E.g. through presentations, publications, training, open resources, or other outputs that support wider uptake)
- Where relevant, equity and inclusion: consideration of accessibility and participation, and benefits for diverse communities.
Eligibility
Open to individuals, project teams, institutions, organisations, and cross-sector partnerships, provided the application is demonstrably relevant to at least one EURBICA member organisation—either because the member organisation is the lead applicant, an active project partner, or the host institution/holding where the initiative is implemented.
Required information
Completed nomination form including:
- Project summary describing objectives, target audiences, approach/technology, results, sustainability, and lessons learned
- Supporting evidence (links, screenshots, usage data, evaluation results, publications, code repository if applicable)
- Short statement (max 250 words) on how the project aligns with EURBICA values (inclusivity, cooperation, empowerment, innovation, transparency)
Prize
- Commemorative seal, certificate, and public recognition through EURBICA and ICA communication channels.
Frequency and number of awards
Up to one award may be presented each year. The Jury may recommend no award if no nomination meets the standard.
Selection committee and decision
The Award Jury is appointed by the EURBICA Executive Board for the annual cycle and may include co-opted specialist members.
The Jury evaluates nominations against the published criteria and recommends an awardee. The EURBICA GB confirms the decision and coordinates the announcement and ceremony logistics.
Webform: https://forms.gle/LW33PatHg2Uj9RRe9
2. European Archival Partnership Award
The European Archival Partnership Award celebrates exemplary cooperative projects that successfully unite institutions, professionals, communities, and partners across regions and borders, generating clear and lasting benefits for archives and their users.
It supports EURBICA’s mission pillars on collaboration and networking, capacity building, advocacy, and shared expertise. Partnerships may include non-archival sectors (research, education, civil society, technology, cultural heritage, media), provided that the outcomes strengthen archival work, access, preservation, and public value.
Indicators of excellence
- Clear shared objectives, effective and mutually beneficial cooperation.
- Tangible outputs and outcomes (e.g., services, resources, standards, training, joint projects, shared infrastructure, community engagement).
- Long-term impact and sustainability beyond a single event or short-term campaign.
- Demonstrable added value created through the partners’ complementary contributions—resulting in outcomes that would not have been achievable without the cooperation.
Eligibility
Open to partnerships of two or more partners. At least one partner must be an archival institution, professional body, or archival community that is a EURBICA member.
Cross-regional and international collaborations are particularly encouraged, but high-impact partnerships within a country are also eligible if they demonstrate broader European relevance.
Nomination requirements
Required informations
- Completed nomination form signed by all core partners
- Partnership description including objectives, partners and roles, outputs, outcomes, governance, and evidence of impact
- Supporting evidence
- Short statement (max 250 words) on how the partnership advances EURBICA strategic goals (collaboration structures, professional development, advocacy, digital transformation)
Prize
- Commemorative seal, certificate, and public recognition through EURBICA and ICA communication channels.
Frequency and number of awards
Up to one award may be presented each year. The Jury may recommend a shared award in exceptional cases.
Selection committee and decision
The Award Jury evaluates nominations with attention to cooperation quality, documented outcomes, and long-term benefits for archives.
The EURBICA GB confirms the decision and supports communication and visibility for the partnership as a good practice case.
Webform: https://forms.gle/6WZPafaodFX3CQtd9
3. European Lifetime Contribution to Archival Heritage Award
Acknowledges an individual whose long-term dedication, leadership and professional excellence have left a lasting impact on the archival field and the preservation of Europe’s documentary heritage.
The European Lifetime Contribution to Archival Heritage Award honours an archivist whose life’s work has helped shape the profession in Europe in a lasting way: through expertise and judgement, through leadership that holds communities together, and through a personal commitment that inspires others. It is intended for people who have strengthened understanding and cooperation among European archives, who have helped bring archives closer to society — making the value of archives in cultural heritage, human rights, democracy and Europe’s shared memory broadly visible.
The award reflects EURBICA’s values of inclusivity and diversity, cooperation, tradition, and innovation. It recognises contributions to professional cohesion in Europe: the ability to connect institutions and communities, support colleagues, and advance the archival mission over decades.
The qualities this award celebrates
- A career defined by consistent commitment and professional integrity, with a clear and lasting contribution to the archival field in Europe.
- Work that has moved the profession forward in a concrete way—through contributions that advanced archival thinking or practice (theory, methodology, standards, ethics, preservation, access, digital transformation), leaving results that remain useful beyond specific projects.
- A way of leading that builds connection and common purpose, bringing people and institutions together across borders, generations, and cultures.
- A generous approach to the profession: mentoring others, supporting training, and sharing knowledge in ways that help colleagues develop and strengthen their work.
- Many years of active involvement in European and/or international professional cooperation, including roles that helped coordinate, connect, or strengthen the archival community.
- A legacy that is widely recognised and benefits both the profession and society.
Eligibility
Open to individual nominees with a clear connection to the EURBICA community. Nominees may be affiliated with a EURBICA member organisation or be an individual EURBICA member, or have a demonstrable record of long-term contribution to EURBICA’s work and objectives. Self-nominations are not accepted.
Nominees should demonstrate significant European relevance through impact, leadership, or widely adopted outcomes.
Nomination requirements
Nominations must be in the nomination form including
- a professional life-and-career profile outlining the nominee’s main roles, achievements, and impact; and
- a testimonial statement explaining, in a narrative form, why the nominee merits the award, with concrete examples of influence on the profession and on European/international cooperation.
- two additional letters of support, sent to eurbica@ica.org which should be provided by professionals or institutions familiar with the nominee’s contribution and may highlight different aspects of the nominee’s legacy.
Prize
- Commemorative seal, certificate, and public recognition through EURBICA and ICA communication channels.
- Awardees are automatically nominated by EURBICA for consideration for the ICA Fellowship (ICA Fellows programme), in line with the applicable ICA rules and procedures.
Frequency and number of awards
Up to one award may be presented each year. The Jury may recommend no award if no nomination meets the standard.
Selection committee and decision
The Award Jury reviews nominations against the published criteria and recommends an awardee.
The EURBICA GB confirms the decision and coordinates the ceremony, including a short citation to be read at the award presentation.
Webform: https://forms.gle/dDd88vgaFkVYc27h8
4. Memory of Europe
The Memory of Europe Award honours an archival holding, collection, or individual document that provides an exceptional source for understanding Europe’s history, shared heritage, and core values. Inspired by the recognition logic behind international documentary heritage initiatives, the award’s primary purpose is to raise the profile of outstanding archival materials and to draw public and professional attention to their European and historical significance.
Aspects that will be considered during evaluation may include:
- Outstanding historical significance.
- European relevance, the capacity to illuminate transnational processes, shared experiences, or turning points in Europe’s history.
- Uniqueness and representativeness: the extent to which the material is rare, irreplaceable, or an especially strong example of a wider phenomenon of European significance.
- Integrity and authenticity: the degree to which the holding/document is complete, stable, and reliably preserved, with credible grounds for authenticity and a clear custodial history where possible.
- Clear documentation that enables trustworthy interpretation (archival description, finding aids, administrative history/biographical context, and links to related records).
- Research value: demonstrated or plausible relevance for scholarship, clear potential to enable new research questions and methods.
- Educational value: strong potential to support formal and informal education, or public dialogue that can be communicated beyond specialist audiences.
- Communication and visibility potential: readiness for meaningful public presentation (exhibition potential, storytelling assets, partnerships) and clarity on how recognition would increase awareness of the material’s European significance.
Eligibility
Open to EURBICA member archival institutions, collection holders, and organisations responsible for the care and access of the nominated materials. Joint nominations are encouraged in cases where the material is held in multiple institutions or locations.
Nominations may cover a single document, an archival unit, a collection, or a curated thematic holding.
Nomination requirements
Required informations
- Completed nomination form
- Description of the holding including historical context, European significance, provenance, and current access arrangements
- Catalogue reference(s) and metadata (fonds/series/item identifiers as applicable)
- Rights and permissions statement covering reproduction and communication
Prize
- Certificate and public recognition through EURBICA and ICA channels
Frequency and number of awards
Up to three awards may be presented each year. The Jury may recommend no award if no nomination meets the standard.
Selection committee and decision
The Award Jury may consult an external thematic expert where specialist historical or legal expertise is required.
The EURBICA GB confirms the decision and coordinates communication to ensure accurate, responsible presentation of the nominated materials.
Webform: https://forms.gle/ckQNmwntTUDTSUJi8