[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

September 2026

Three prizes: €100,000 (1st), €70,000 (2nd), €50,000 (3rd); one-time recognition award.

Recognizes outstanding women entrepreneurs in the EU and Horizon Europe countries who have founded or co-founded organizations delivering impactful, breakthrough innovations.

Forecasted cycle—dates are projected; check the program page for updates.

--- ## Description The Women Innovators category, part of the European Prize for Women Innovators, is an annual recognition prize awarded by the European Commission to celebrate and promote the achievements of women entrepreneurs in the EU and countries associated with Horizon Europe. The prize aims to inspire more women and girls to pursue careers in science, technology, and innovation by showcasing role models who have successfully translated their ideas into disruptive innovations with significant societal or environmental impact. The award is jointly organized by the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT). --- ## Due Dates - **Full Application Deadline (anticipated):** September 2026 *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - **Three prizes awarded:** - 1st Prize: €100,000 - 2nd Prize: €70,000 - 3rd Prize: €50,000 - **Award Type:** One-time recognition prize (not a grant or project funding). --- ## Eligibility - **Who can apply:** - Women (including cis and transgender women legally recognized as women) who are natural persons. - Must be legally residing in an EU Member State (including overseas countries and territories) or a country associated with Horizon Europe. - Must be the founder or co-founder of a company or organization. - The company or organization must be established in an eligible country and registered/incorporated at least two years before the call year (i.e., before January 2024 for the anticipated 2026 cycle). - Applicants who have previously received an EU or Euratom prize for the same activities are ineligible. - Only individual applications are allowed (no joint applications or entries on behalf of legal entities). - Applicants eligible for several prize categories may only apply to one. - **Additional notes:** - Self-employment is not considered eligible. - Applicants must register in the [Participant Register](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/participant-register) as a natural person before the deadline. - Entities subject to EU restrictive or conditionality measures are not eligible. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Applications must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-EIC-2025-PRIZE-WIP-WomenInnovatorsCategory?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=2&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - **Application components:** - Part A: Administrative information (completed online). - Part B: Technical description (template provided in the portal; max 15 pages). - Mandatory annex: Video message (max 90 seconds, up to 100MB) describing the applicant and achievements. - **Language:** Any official EU language (English recommended for efficiency). - **Other requirements:** All documents must be complete, readable, and uploaded before the deadline. Late submissions are not accepted. - **Evaluation:** Applications are assessed by a jury based on breakthrough innovation, impact, and inspiration. Minimum threshold: 6/10 per criterion, 18/30 overall. --- ## Additional Information - **Award criteria:** - Breakthrough Innovation: Demonstrate disruptive innovation, especially in deep-tech or STEM fields. - Impact: Show significant benefits for people and/or the planet. - Inspiration: Demonstrate leadership and serve as a role model, particularly in empowering other women and promoting gender equality. - **Prize payment:** Awarded after the ceremony, contingent on submission of all required documents. - **Visibility:** Winners must acknowledge EU support in communications. - **No double funding:** Activities previously awarded by EU/Euratom are ineligible. - **Withdrawal:** The prize can be withdrawn if eligibility conditions were not met or if there was fraud/misconduct. --- ## External Links - [Official Program Page & Application Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-EIC-2025-PRIZE-WIP-WomenInnovatorsCategory?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=2&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Rules of Contest (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/roc_horizon-eic-2025-prize-wip_en.pdf) - [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [Participant Register](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/participant-register) - [National Contact Points (NCPs)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |-----------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | EIC Women Innovators and Rising Innovators categories | [EISMEA-WIP@ec.europa.eu](mailto:EISMEA-WIP@ec.europa.eu) | | IT/Portal technical support | [IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | General program queries | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | ---

Women Innovators category

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