Leonardo 4 Children Awards 2026

The new edition of the Leonardo 4 Children initiative includes international Awards focused on Climate, Equality and Peace, open to children aged 6-12, teenagers aged 13-18, young music composers aged 16-30, and teachers.

The winners were announced by the Juries on 1st June 2026 and the Workshop and Award ceremony will take place on 9 October 2026 in Brussels.

The Awards include a Talent Development Programme, providing each winner with budgets ranging from €200 to €750 to further develop their skills in art and science. Winners may also receive various Special Awards, recognition, promotion, and publication of their works.

EVENT 9 OCTOBER 2026

“Fables on Climate, Equality & Peace”

For children aged 6-12 years old

Fables

Click to learn more

Children aged 6-12 are invited to use their creativity, their artistic and scientific skills to create their own original fable to interpret one or more of the following topics:

- climate action and environmental sustainability
- social equality including gender equality
- peace between people

addressing the problem and possibly proposing a solution.

“Art & Science on Climate, Equality & Peace”

For teenagers aged 13-18 years old

Art & Science

Click to learn more

Teenagers aged 13-18 are invited to use their creativity to make their own original project integrating art and science to interpret one or more of the following topics:

- climate action and environmental sustainability
- social equality including gender equality
- peace between people

addressing the problem and possibly proposing a solution.

“Leonardo 4 Music” Award on Climate, Equality & Peace

For young music composers up to 30 years old

Music

Click to learn more

Young music composers are invited to compose an original music on the topics of climate, equality or peace, inspired by: Leonardo da Vinci, previous winners of Leonardo 4 Children Awards, or by a movie or by a story/poem on these topics.

“Leonardo 4 Teachers” Award on Climate, Equality & Peace

For teachers and experts in education of primary/secondary schools

Teachers

Click to learn more

Teachers of primary/secondary schools or experts working with students – resident in the EU – are invited to develop an example of Art & Science discipline on the topics of climate, equality or peace, and apply the discipline in the activity with children or teenagers.

Summary

The Leonardo 4 Children Awards invite children aged, teenagers aged, young music composers, and teachers to use and further develop their creativity and STEAM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s example, participants are encouraged to address global issues such as climate change, equality, and peace.

Objective

The work submitted for the Awards should be an original creation by one or more participants integrating art & science, on the issue of climate change and environmental sustainability, equality and/or peace, addressing the problem and possibly proposing a solution.

Timetable

  • Open from 15 September 2025 until 30 April 2026
  • Announcement of winners: 1 June 2026
  • Workshop, Concert & Award ceremony: 9 October 2026 in Brussels
Leonardo 4 Children 2026 presentation

Prizes

The authors of the works with the 10 best scoring will receive an award, consisting in:

  • talent development programme, with a budget for each winner of
    € 500 & € 750 (respectively for the winners nr. 1 – 2 of Leonardo4Music)
    € 500 (Top 3 winners Fables and Art&Science)
    € 200 (All other Top 10 works of Fables and Art&Science) to develop their skills in art & science, for instance with workshops, courses, meeting with experts, visits and material;

  • publication in the Leonardo 4 Children book used to raise funds and as a donation to children in need;

  • presentation at workshop and award ceremony; promotion on website, social media and promotional material, at public events, institutions or public places including famous museums, and during concerts and events;

  • Leonardo 4 Children award certificate.

The Talent Development Programme does not cover the costs of mandatory courses for schools.

Special Awards

Special Awards are created in collaboration with, and thanks to the support of, sponsors and partners, to offer specific challenges to participants, and opportunities to win special experiences in the field of art and science.

Examples of Special Awards:

  • Artificial Intelligence applied to Climate, Equality and Peace – partner EY
  • Cybersecurity and Internet and social media safety – partner AXA
  • Leonardo da Vinci Award – partner Ambrosiana Museum and Libary Milan
  • Design of Vespa motorbike – partner Piaggio Museum
  • Science – partner Galileo Museum Florence
  • Special Award Marina Calamai
  • Music festival – partner Lunigiana International Music Festival
  • Italian Culture Award –  partner Italian Institute of Culture Brussels

SDC25 visual

Join the 2026 STEM Discovery Campaign, a joint international initiative organised by Scientix® and the NBS Academy. The initiative invites educators, projects, organisations, libraries, schools, universities, youth clubs and all interested stakeholders across Europe and beyond to celebrate careers and studies in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

We invite everyone to get involved in the 2026 STEM Discovery Campaign by organising, conducting and taking part in various STEM activities and featuring them on the STEM Discovery Campaign map, becoming partners and participating in online events!