diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 9b356c44d..c6c68a094 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ PROJECT( LCIO )
 
 # project version
 SET( LCIO_VERSION_MAJOR 2 )
-SET( LCIO_VERSION_MINOR 15 )
-SET( LCIO_VERSION_PATCH 4 )
+SET( LCIO_VERSION_MINOR 16 )
+SET( LCIO_VERSION_PATCH 0 )
 
 ### set correct LCIO version in relevant files  ############################