European Prize for Women Innovators

Expand Your Recognition with the EU Prize for Women Innovators

Achieve a prize from the EIC & EIT and recognition for women entrepreneurs who are shaping Europe’s innovation landscape.

Download our Funding Guide

Contact us

The EU Prize for Women Innovators spotlights the women founders behind Europe’s most ground-breaking innovations.

Whether you’re building a deep-tech venture, scaling a science-driven company or creating impact through technology, the prize offers prestigious recognition, a cash award and EU-wide visibility to accelerate your journey and inspire the next generation of innovators.

Equity-Free Awards

Win up to €100,000 with no equity taken and no co-financing required.

For women founders

Open to women who founded or co-founded an innovative company or organisation in the EU or a Horizon Europe associated country.

European Recognition

Gain high-profile visibility through the European Commission, EIC and EIT networks, culminating in an award ceremony in June 2027.

Three prize categories

Women Innovators, Rising Innovators (under 35) and the EIT Women Leadership Award. You can apply to one.

€100k

top prize

3

categories

27+

EU + associated countries

What you need
to know before
applying

Start your eligibility check now

 

💡 Start early! Begin preparing your application 2–3 months before submission.

About the EU Prize for Women Innovators

The European Prize for Women Innovators is awarded jointly by the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). It recognises women entrepreneurs from the EU and Horizon Europe associated countries whose disruptive innovations drive positive change for people and planet.

The prize celebrates scientific, technological and business excellence, with up to €100,000 per winner and high-profile visibility that creates role models for women and girls across Europe. The 2027 edition is managed by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) and the EIT.

 

What do winners of the EU Prize for Women Innovators receive?

Winners receive a cash prize that recognises their achievements. It is equity-free, requires no co-financing, and is a prize rather than a grant or investment. The money is paid after the award ceremony, once all requested documents are submitted.

Prize amounts by category (1st / 2nd / 3rd):

Beyond the money, winners gain European-wide visibility, recognition from the European Commission, and networking opportunities across the EU innovation ecosystem.

Eligible candidates

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be a woman, applying as a natural person (with your own personal PIC – Participant Identification Code, not your company’s).
  • Be legally resident in an EU Member State (including overseas countries and territories) or a Horizon Europe associated country.
  • Be the founder or co-founder of the company or organisation. Self-employment does not qualify.
  • Lead a company or organisation established in one of those countries and registered or incorporated before 1 January 2025.
  • Not have already received an EU or Euratom prize for the same activities.

Category-specific rules:

  • Rising Innovators: you must be under 35 at the start of the call year, i.e. born on or after 1 January 1991.
  • Women Innovators: no age limit.
  • EIT Women Leadership Award: you must have a direct link to the EIT Community (e.g. support from an EIT Knowledge and Innovation Community or an EIT Labelled education programme), with proof.

You can apply to one category only. If you submit to several, only the latest application counts.

Key deadlines

📅Key deadlines – 2027 edition

Date Milestone
2 September 2026 Call opened
1 December 2026, 17:00 CET Application deadline
January 2027 Evaluation
February–March 2027 Jury hearings
March 2027 Finalists announced
June 2027 Award ceremony

💡 Check dates on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Application process
  1. Check eligibility — including your company’s registration date and, if relevant, your age or EIT Community link.
  2. Choose one category — Women Innovators, Rising Innovators or EIT Women Leadership Award.
  3. Register yourself — not your company — on the Funding & Tenders Portal to get your personal PIC (Participant Identification Code).
  4. Prepare your application — Part A online, Part B (max 15 pages), a 90-second video, plus proof of age or EIT link if required.
  5. Submit by 1 December 2026, 17:00 CET — English is recommended.
  6. Jury hearings — up to six top applicants per category, February–March 2027.
  7. Award ceremony — finalists announced in March, winners revealed in June 2027.
Evaluation criteria

The jury scores each application on Parts A and B and your video, against three criteria:

  1. Breakthrough innovation — Your company is developing a breakthrough innovation, for example in deep tech or STEM, and you show what makes it breakthrough compared with existing solutions.
  2. Impact — The innovation addresses a real need, with significant benefits for people and/or the planet. You show how current performance and growth drive socio-economic or environmental impact, such as wellbeing, education, profit or job creation.
  3. Inspiration — You are an inspiring leader who played a pivotal role in the company’s success and a role model for women and girls, for example through efforts on gender balance or gender-responsive innovation.

Each criterion is scored out of 10, with a minimum of 6. The overall threshold is 18 out of 30. Ties are broken by giving extra weight to Impact, then Inspiration.

How We Support Your EU Prize for Women Innovators Application

  • Backed by PhDs, engineers, and finance experts, we guide you through every stage of the application process for the EU Prize for Women Innovators.
  • We combine strategic insight with narrative excellence to help outstanding women innovators present their achievements, impact, and leadership in a way that stands out to the jury and maximises their chances of winning the prize.
Control de convocatorias (1)

1. Opportunity Scouting

We assess your eligibility, achievements, and innovation profile to determine the best prize category and your competitiveness. In parallel, we screen and stay updated on other EU funding opportunities that may fit your profile, ensuring full visibility of complementary options.
Diagnóstico y preparación

2. Award Strategy & Application

We help shape a strong, compelling application by refining your personal and innovation narratives, highlighting achievements, impact, and leadership. We support the preparation of all required documentation and ensure full alignment with prize guidelines.

Obtención de ayuda (2)

3. Submission

We review and finalise your Part B (15-page limit), coach you on your 90-second video, and make sure your personal PIC, annexes and category are correct so your application is complete and compliant.

Gestión del proyecto (1)

4. Visibility Support & Post-Award Support

We provide coaching for public presentations or interviews and advise on post-award communication to maximise visibility. We also support ongoing coordination, follow-up actions, and integration of the prize into your broader funding and growth strategy.

Ready to boost your chances to win the EU Prize for Women Innovators?

Our consultants guide you through eligibility, application strategy, and crafting a standout narrative that captures the jury’s attention.

Contact our team

close-up-female-researcher-holding-glassware

“Evolution’s expertise and guidance were instrumental in securing our funding. Their support throughout the entire process, from crafting the proposal to preparing for the final pitch, was invaluable. It’s the most professional and comprehensive assistance we’ve ever received.”

Paul Kamoun, Director of Spacepharma

Admins using computer in data center office, running scripts

“Evolution was pivotal in improving and refining our business model and go-to-market strategy. Besides, the writing of the proposal was elevated to a very high standard; we could not have achieved this without Evolution’s help.”

Fadhil Musa, co-founder of Delox

quote-3

“At Evolution, we found the expertise and guidance in this domain to identify and target the right programme for us. Getting Evolution alongside was fundamental to ensure peace of mind and keep the start-up team focused on project development.”

Mathieu Horras, CEO, Founder & Board Member of Aspivix

Other funds that might
interest you

Group 16553

EIC Accelerator

Bring your deep-tech innovation to market with blended EU funding and investment.

  • Get up to €2.5 million in grant and €0.5–10 million in equity (or blended finance).
  • For startups and SMEs with technologies at TRL 5–8, ready to scale and commercialise globally.
Horizon Europe Collaborative Projects

Horizon Europe – Pillar 2

Tackle global challenges through collaborative R&I with EU support.

  • Get Research & Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA) funding for large-scale collaborative projects.
  • For international consortia (min. 3 entities from 3 countries), aiming for scientific excellence and real-world impact.
EIC STEP Scale-UP Programme

EIC STEP Scale-Up

Scale your strategic tech company with major EU equity investment through the EIC STEP programme.

  • Get €10–30 million in equity to drive industrial deployment and growth in deep-tech or critical technologies.
  • For startups, SMEs, and small mid-caps with technologies at TRL 6–9, aiming to scale in key strategic areas for Europe.

magazine

The ultimate guide to
securing R&D funding in
Europe

  • How to identify the best funding opportunities for your project
  • Learn strategies top innovators use to secure grants, navigate complex
    applications, and maximize funding potential.
  • Proven tips for writing winning grant proposals

Download now and boost your funding success!

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about the EU Prize for Women Innovators.

What is the innovation award for women?

The EU Prize for Women Innovators is the European Union’s premier innovation award for women entrepreneurs. It recognises and rewards women who have founded or co-founded innovative companies and who have demonstrated excellence in translating their ideas into impactful businesses. The award is part of broader efforts by EIC and EIT to increase gender equity in science, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

When is the deadline for the EU Prize for Women Innovators 2027?

The 2027 edition opened on 2 September 2026 and closes on 1 December 2026 at 17:00 CET (Brussels time). Evaluation runs from January 2027, jury hearings take place in February–March 2027, finalists are announced in March 2027 and the award ceremony is in June 2027. Deadlines cannot be extended, so submit well in advance.

How much is the prize money?

In the EIC Women Innovators category, prizes are €100,000, €70,000 and €50,000. In the EIC Rising Innovators category and the EIT Women Leadership Award, prizes are €50,000, €30,000 and €20,000. Nine prizes are awarded in total.

What is the EIC Women Innovators category?

It is the main category of the prize, with no age limit. The three highest-ranked applicants receive €100,000, €70,000 and €50,000. It recognises women founders whose breakthrough innovations generate outstanding social, economic or environmental impact.

Who can apply to the Rising Innovators category?

Women founders or co-founders under 35 at the start of the call year. For the 2027 edition, you must be born on or after 1 January 1991 and upload proof of age with your application.

How old must my company be?

Your company or organisation must be registered or incorporated before 1 January 2025. It must be established in an EU Member State, an overseas country or territory, or a Horizon Europe associated country.

Do I apply as a person or as my company?

You apply as a natural person, with your own personal PIC (Participant Identification Code). Applications submitted with a company’s PIC are ineligible.

What countries participate in the EU Prize for Women Innovators?

The prize is open to applicants from all EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories) and countries associated to Horizon Europe, such as Norway, Iceland, Ukraine, Israel and Tunisia. Both you and your company must be based in an eligible country. The full, current list is on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

How long does the EU Prize for Women Innovators competition run?

The prize is awarded every year. The 2027 edition runs for about ten months, from the call opening in September 2026 to the award ceremony in June 2027.

Ready to win the EU Prize for Women Innovators?

Get your free consultation Contact us today