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The Enterprise Europe Network received:
20.08.2025:
The European Prize for Women Innovators 2026 is jointly awarded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The aim is to recognize outstanding female entrepreneurs from the EU and Horizon Europe partner countries whose ground-breaking innovations bring about positive change for people and the environment.
There are nine awards in three categories:
- EIC Women Innovators: three prizes of €100,000, €70,000 and €50,000 for the best applications from established women innovators.
- EIC Rising Innovators Three prizes of € 50,000, € 30,000 and € 20,000 for outstanding young female innovators under the age of 35.
- EIT Women Leadership Award A prize of €50,000 for an exceptional leader from the EIT community, plus two further awards of €30,000 and €20,000.
The application phase runs until September 25, 2025, 17:00 (CEST). The selection will be made by an independent jury of experts. Applicants can only register for one category.
Who can apply?
To participate, applicants must fulfill the following requirements
- Gender: The applicant must be a woman and apply as a natural person (not as a legal entity).
- Residence: She must be legally resident in an EU Member State (including overseas territories) or a country associated with Horizon Europe.
- Establishment: You must be the founder or co-founder of the company or organization.
- Company age: The company or organization must also be registered in an EU Member State or associated country and have been established before 1 January 2023.
- No double award: Anyone who has already received an EU or Euratom prize for the same activity cannot win another prize for it.
Further information and how to apply
Source: European Commission
