Maker Faire Rome opens 2026 applications for makers, schools and researchers

By AI, Created 11:00 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Maker Faire Rome – The European Edition is accepting applications for its 14th edition, set for 23–25 October 2026 at Gazometro Ostiense in Rome. Selected projects get free exhibition space, and applications close 15 June 2026.

Why it matters: - Maker Faire Rome is Europe’s largest public event dedicated to open innovation, giving makers, schools and researchers a rare chance to test ideas in front of a broad audience. - The 2026 edition will showcase working prototypes in fields shaping daily life and industry, including artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, agritech, urban mobility and space technologies. - Selected participants receive exhibition space at no cost, which lowers the barrier to showing projects publicly.

What happened: - Maker Faire Rome – The European Edition opened applications for its 14th edition on 6 May 2026. - The event will run from 23 to 25 October 2026 at Gazometro Ostiense in Rome. - Applications are open for the Call for Makers, Call for Schools, and Call for Universities and Research Institutes. - Applications close on 15 June 2026.

The details: - The Call for Makers is open worldwide to makers, inventors, creative technologists, start-ups, independent innovators and project teams. - Eligible projects include robotics, artificial intelligence, IoT, digital fabrication, sustainability, wearables, agritech, food technology, 3D printing, mobility, the circular economy and space technologies. - Projects must be functional, demonstrable and suitable for live presentation to a broad public audience. - The Call for Schools is open to student teams ages 14 to 18 from Italy and the European Union. - Selected schools exhibit free of charge. - State schools traveling from outside Rome may qualify for travel and accommodation support, subject to the official regulations. - The Call for Universities and Research Institutes is open worldwide to researchers, doctoral candidates, university teams and academic spin-offs. - Academic projects can come from STEM disciplines as well as applied creative, technological and interdisciplinary fields. - All projects across the three calls are reviewed by an independent Scientific Committee. - The committee evaluates quality, originality, feasibility and relevance. - Selected participants receive free exhibition space, along with basic set-up, electricity and Wi-Fi, according to the terms of each call. - Maker Faire Rome is organized by the Rome Chamber of Commerce through its special agency Innova Camera. - Since its launch in 2013, the event has recorded more than 895,000 presences and featured over 7,000 exhibitors across 13 editions. - The Call for Partners is open year-round to companies, institutions and organizations focused on open innovation, applied research and public engagement with technology. - Partnership options may include exhibition presence, sponsored programs, educational initiatives and institutional collaboration. - There is no fixed deadline for partnership inquiries. - More information and application details are available at the event website.

Between the lines: - Maker Faire Rome is positioning itself as a public-stage alternative to traditional conferences and trade fairs, where live demonstrations matter more than pitch decks. - The mix of schools, universities, start-ups and independent makers suggests the event is designed to connect research, education and commercialization in one place. - The added focus on space technologies signals an effort to broaden the event’s innovation agenda beyond its core technology categories. - Lorenzo Tagliavanti, president of the Rome Chamber of Commerce, said Maker Faire Rome has always been about making innovation visible and invited makers, schools, universities, researchers and enterprises to bring forward projects that can be shown, tested and shared with the public.

What’s next: - Makers, schools and research teams have until 15 June 2026 to submit applications. - Selected projects will be announced under the terms of each call and then prepare for exhibition in Rome in October. - Partnership discussions remain open throughout the year for organizations seeking involvement in the 2026 edition.

The bottom line: - Maker Faire Rome 2026 is offering free public exposure for selected innovators at a major European showcase, with a deadline fast approaching and a broad call across education, research and entrepreneurship.