The Scientific Senate of the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania, in partnership with the Bucharest Auto Show (SAB), is launching a new edition of the SAB Grant. Centered on the theme “Smart Mobility for a Green Future,” this national competition for smart solutions seeks prototypes and technologies designed to transform Romanian cities into smart urban spaces. The competition is open to school and university students, researchers, and independent inventors, offering a €5,000 prize for the best project, along with the opportunity to showcase the work to industry experts and the public attending the Bucharest Auto Show from October 6 to 11. Registration is open until October 1, 2026; participants are challenged to develop concepts that reduce pollution and resource waste while optimizing transportation.
This initiative continues the organization’s mission to support young innovators, a direction fully validated by the success of previous editions. Last year, the competition was won by the SOLIS team from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, recognized for creating the SOLIS Hyperion, a vehicle powered exclusively by solar energy. The project of the students from Cluj impressed the jury with its efficient integration of green technologies, and the team subsequently represented Romania at the prestigious Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, traversing over 3,000 kilometers across the Australian desert. Such an achievement directly demonstrates the capability of domestic applied engineering to offer viable, safe, and sustainable alternatives to the challenges of modern mobility.
The need for non-polluting vehicles and intelligent traffic management systems aligns perfectly with major initiatives in other large metropoles that are currently redefining the European urban landscape. Cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, and Oslo are already investing heavily in zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, extensive micro-mobility networks, and AI-driven digital solutions, demonstrating that the future belongs to eco-friendly urban planning.
The SAB 2026 Grant brings this global vision to the national level, encouraging the development of Romanian projects focused on clean energy, smart storage, and recyclable materials. The finalist projects and the grand prize winner will be showcased to the public at the Scientific Senate’s stand during the Bucharest Auto Show & Accessories event, held from October 6 to 11, 2026.
This year marks the 9th edition of the national SAB Grant competition, reinforcing the long-standing partnership between the Scientific Senate of the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania and the Bucharest Auto Show & Accessories.
The registration form and the official competition rules are available at fundatiadanvoiculescu.ro.
