IDEA League
International Alliance of Research Universities
The IDEA League is a strategic alliance of five of Europe's leading universities of science and technology, formed to promote collaboration in education, research, and innovation.
Together, these institutions represent centuries of academic excellence and have collectively shaped modern engineering and scientific thought across Europe and beyond.
Mission and Values
Advancing excellence through collaboration and shared commitment
Educational Excellence
Fostering world-class engineering and scientific education through collaborative programs and student exchange
Research Collaboration
Advancing cutting-edge research through joint projects and sharing of resources across institutions
Innovation and Impact
Driving technological innovation and addressing global challenges through interdisciplinary approaches
Member Universities
Five institutions, one vision of excellence
Delft University of Technology
TU Delft is the oldest and largest Dutch public technical university, known for its pioneering work in engineering, design, and applied sciences.
Contact for Medal Inquiries
tudelft@leonardodavincimedal.euSwiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
ETH Zurich is one of the world's leading universities in science and technology, renowned for its cutting-edge research and excellence in engineering and natural sciences.
Contact for Medal Inquiries
eth@leonardodavincimedal.euRWTH Aachen University
RWTH Aachen is one of Germany's leading technical universities, with particular strengths in engineering, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary research.
Contact for Medal Inquiries
rwth@leonardodavincimedal.euChalmers University of Technology
Chalmers is a Swedish university located in Gothenburg, focusing on engineering and natural sciences, with strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation.
Contact for Medal Inquiries
chalmers@leonardodavincimedal.euPolytechnic University of Milan
Politecnico di Milano is Italy's largest technical university, excelling in engineering, architecture, and industrial design with strong ties to industry.
Contact for Medal Inquiries
polimi@leonardodavincimedal.euThe Leonardo Da Vinci Medal
A collective commitment to recognizing excellence
Distinguished Laureates
Prix Poncelet Recipients
The Leonardo Da Vinci Medal represents one of the IDEA League's most prestigious initiatives— a collective commitment to recognizing and celebrating excellence at the intersection of mathematics and engineering.
By administering this award jointly, the five member universities ensure that:
✓Selection decisions reflect a true pan-European academic consensus
✓The highest standards of academic rigor are maintained
✓The award benefits from diverse perspectives across institutions and countries
✓The historic Prix Poncelet legacy is preserved and projected into the future
✓European values in technical education are reinforced and promoted
The annual rotation of the host university ensures equal representation and allows each institution to contribute its unique perspective and traditions to the award ceremony.
"Through the Leonardo Da Vinci Medal, the IDEA League honors not just individual achievement, but the enduring European tradition of integrating mathematical rigor with engineering practice."
Discover the Award
Learn about the criteria, historic laureates, and what the Leonardo Da Vinci Medal represents