The 2027 European Prize for Women Innovators is your chance to gain European recognition for the impact of your work and inspire the next generation of innovators.

Jointly awarded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), the prize celebrates women behind groundbreaking innovations and successful businesses across Europe. It shines a spotlight on leaders who are turning bold ideas into real-world solutions, while helping to close the gender gap in innovation.

Winning – or even being recognised – can raise your profile, open up new opportunities and showcase your journey to a Europe-wide audience. The prize honours women innovators whose work is creating value for society, the economy and the planet.

In 2027, the prize will be awarded in three categories:

• Women Innovators: For women founders and co-founders from the EU and countries associated with Horizon Europe. Prizes: €100k, €70k and €50k.
• Rising Innovators: For promising women innovators under the age of 35. Prizes: €50k, €30k and €20k.
• EIT Women Leadership: For exceptional EIT (European Institute of Innovation & Technology) Community members whose innovation and leadership are making a strong impact. Prizes: €50k, €30k and €20k.

Eligibility criteria:

• the applicant must be a woman (including transgender women with legal recognition as women)
• must apply as a natural person (i.e. not as a company)
• must be legally residing in an EU Member State, including overseas countries and territories (OCTs) or a country associated to Horizon Europe (this includes the UK)
• must be the founder or co-founder of the company or organisation
• the company or organisation must be established in an EU Member State including overseas countries and territories, (OCTs) or a country associated to Horizon Europe, and registered or incorporated at least one year before the call year

Applicants to the EIC Rising Innovators category must be aged under 35 at the start of the call year. (There is no age limit to apply for the EIC Women Innovators category.)

Applicants to the EIT category must have a direct link to the EIT Community (e.g. support through an innovation or business acceleration procedure of any of the EIT KICs, or successful completion of an EIT Labelled Educational Programme).

Applicants may only apply to one prize category. Applicants who have already received an EU or Euratom prize cannot receive a second prize for the same activities.

If admissible and eligible, the applications will be evaluated and ranked against the following award criteria:

Award criterion 1: Breakthrough innovation – the company or organisation founded or cofounded by the applicant is developing a breakthrough innovation focusing, among others, on Deep-tech and Science Technology Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) fields. In presenting their innovation, the applicant should demonstrate what makes this innovation breakthrough in relation to other existing solutions.

Award criterion 2: Impact – this innovation addresses a real need or challenge, with significant benefits for people and/or the planet. The applicant will demonstrate how the company’s or organisation’s current performance and growth is driving a positive socio-economic and/or environmental impact, among others, in terms of wellbeing, education, profit, or job creation.

Award criterion 3: Inspiration – the applicant is an inspiring leader, who has played a pivotal role in the success of the company or organisation and is a role model empowering other women and girls in realising their full potential. The applicant should, for example, highlight her efforts to promote gender balance within the company, organisation or beyond, and/or to advocate for innovative initiatives that have positively contributed to gender equality in, e.g., access to finance, networks, product design, education and contributes to a gender-responsive innovation.