Applications now open
You can now use our online application form to highlight and emphasise the uniqueness and innovative strength of your product or service compared to your competitors. The application deadline is 31 May 2026.
- Your application should include:
- A general description of the product/service
- Description of the product/service in accordance with the application criteria
- Link to a pitch video:
The pitch video should give the jury a 3 to 5-minute insight into your product/service. Please upload your video to a video platform (e.g. Vimeo or YouTube) and share the link with us in the application form.
You will receive automatic confirmation of your application from the system within a few minutes of submitting your application documents. Please also check your spam folder.
Do you have any questions about the award or need further information? Simply contact award@zukunft-personal.com
APPLY NOWAPPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
All companies that have introduced an innovative product, service, technological innovation and/or solution to the market in one of the four categories are eligible to apply:
Further information on the categories can be found HERE
For companies exhibiting at one of the ZP trade fairs in 2026, the application and participation in the HR Innovation Award selection process are free of charge.
The same requirements apply to non-exhibitors. In addition, a mandatory processing fee of EUR 290.00 (plus VAT) applies.
The following are excluded from participation: internal company concepts or products and solutions that are not offered on the open market, concepts submitted by agencies acting as intermediaries for companies, as well as employees of CloserStill Media Germany GmbH and companies affiliated with jury members.
By registering for the HR Innovation Award, you agree to our terms and conditions.
APPLICATION CRITERIA
- Degree of innovation, degree of unique selling proposition (40%)
- Market potential (20%)
- Benefits and relevance for the HR sector (20%)
- Implementation effort of the product / scientific basis (10%)
- Sustainability (10%)
AWARD PROCESS
- The HR Innovation Award will be presented during ZP Europe 2026 in September in Cologne.
- Applications will be evaluated by a distinguished jury composed of representatives from academia, business, media, and professional associations.
- The jury meets in an official session during the summer to review all submissions and select the top three finalists as well as the winners in each category.
- All participants will be informed about the outcome of their submission in August.
YOUR BENEFITS
As a Participant
- Strengthen your positioning as an innovative HR provider and signal to customers, partners, and investors that your solution has passed an independent innovation assessment by an expert jury.
- Create a strong communication opportunity (“We have submitted our solution for the HR Innovation Award”) for use on your website, social media, PR activities, and sales presentations.
- Gain additional visibility within the ecosystem of Zukunft Personal (before and during ZP Europe) and the broader HR innovation community.
As a Winner
In addition, you benefit from an extensive media package including strong editorial presence, high-reach online and social media measures, and a recognised quality seal that enhances your brand’s reputation in the HR market in the long term. In detail:
- A strong quality seal (“Awarded the HR Innovation Award”) for use across all your communications.
- An advertorial on www.zukunft-personal.com presenting your solution in detail.
- A large-format ad banner on www.zukunft-personal.com for prominent brand visibility within the HR community.
- A newsletter advertisement for direct outreach to a relevant HR target group.
- An interview on trade fair TV with Gunnar Sohn, providing high visibility and content for your own channels.
- A social media post featuring all winners on LinkedIn and Instagram for additional reach and social proof.
- An interview in Personalmagazin as an editorial reference in a recognised HR trade publication.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Applications must be submitted via the Oxford Abstracts platform using the dedicated link on our website. After creating an account, you can complete and submit your application directly within the tool.
The application phase runs from 2 March to 20 May 2026.
You will find an overview and detailed description of the categories HERE on our website.
After logging into Oxford Abstracts, you will find an application form covering the evaluation criteria, including:
- Degree of innovation and uniqueness
- Market potential
- Benefit and relevance for the HR industry
- Implementation effort of the product / scientific foundation
- Sustainability
In addition, the jury requires a short video of up to five minutes introducing your product or service.
The short video is a mandatory part of the application. It does not need to be professionally produced. A simple interview-style video recorded on a smartphone is completely sufficient.
The purpose of the video is to give the jury a personal and authentic impression of your solution and your team.
Applications submitted without a video cannot be considered.
You can save and edit your application in the system at any time before final submission. Once submitted, no further changes can be made.
Please review your information carefully before submitting. In case of technical issues, please contact the Award team.
Finalists and winners generally receive feedback from the jury. Due to the high number of submissions, individual feedback for all applicants cannot always be guaranteed.
However, if you are interested in receiving feedback, you are welcome to contact the Award team after the evaluation process.
Participation is free of charge for exhibitors at Zukunft Personal.
Non-exhibitors are required to pay a processing fee in accordance with the participation terms and conditions.
Applications can be submitted in either German or English.
Yes. Re-application is possible, particularly if your solution has been further developed or expanded into new areas of application.
Yes. The HR Innovation Award explicitly welcomes startups, scale-ups, and established providers.
What matters is the degree of innovation and practical impact of your solution, not the size of your company.
Yes. Your solution should already be launched or be in an advanced pilot phase with real users.
Pure concept ideas or prototypes without practical application are not eligible.
All applicants will be informed of the results after the jury evaluation process is completed in August.
Finalists will be contacted individually. Coordination will then follow regarding communication activities, interviews, and the award ceremony. The Award team will support you throughout this process.
Attendance is not mandatory, but strongly recommended, as it enhances visibility, networking opportunities, and media exposure.
All submitted documents will be treated confidentially and used exclusively for the evaluation process.
No information will be shared with third parties.