European Prize for Women Innovators 2027
Horizon Europe · European Innovation Council (EIC) and EIT
Ευρωπαϊκό Συμβούλιο Καινοτομίας / EISMEA και Ευρωπαϊκό Ινστιτούτο Καινοτομίας και Τεχνολογίας – EIT (European Innovation Council / EISMEA and European Institute of Innovation and Technology)
In plain words
A cash prize of up to €100,000 for women who founded or co-founded an innovative company. There is also a category for women under 35 (up to €50,000). It is not project funding: your track record and impact are judged, and only a few win.
Who can apply
Women founders or co-founders of a company or organisation registered before 1 Jan 2025, legally resident with the company based in an EU or Horizon Europe associated country. Self-employment without a company does not qualify.
What it pays for
Prizes: Women Innovators €100,000, €70,000 and €50,000; Rising Innovators (born on or after 1 Jan 1991) €50,000, €30,000 and €20,000. An EIT Women Leadership category (€50,000, €30,000, €20,000) is open to EIT community members.
What must be true for you
Tick what applies. Saved on this device only.
- The applicant applies as a natural person and is a founder or co-founder of the company.
- Company set up before 1 January 2025 and based in an EU or associated country.
- Rising Innovators: born on or after 1 Jan 1991.
- No second EU prize for the same activities.
How to apply
- Create an EU Login account and register as a natural person in the Participant Register to get a 9-digit PIC, before the deadline.
- Read the Rules of Contest and choose your category on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
- Fill in Part A online and upload Part B (description up to 15 pages, as PDF).
- Upload a video of up to 90 seconds (max 100 MB, zipped) and, for Rising Innovators, proof of age.
- Submit by 1 Dec 2026, 17:00 and keep the confirmation email.
Where to apply: EU Funding & Tenders Portal – ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunitie…
Deadline
Submit by 1 December 2026, 17:00 Brussels time.
Sources we read
Research notes: Rules of Contest (topics HORIZON-EIC-2026-PRIZE-WIP, HORIZON-EIC-2026-PRIZE-WIP-RISINGINNOVATORS, HORIZON-EIT-2026-PRIZE-WIP-LEADERSHIP): deadline 01 Dec 2026 17:00 CET. This is prize money, not a project grant; instrument set to 'grant' because there is no prize category. Company size not restricted in the rules ('company or organisation').