Deadline: 25-Sep-2025
The European Prize aims to raise public awareness about the vital role women play in the EU innovation ecosystem. It seeks to create strong role models who inspire more women to become innovators themselves.
The prize celebrates women entrepreneurs behind Europe’s groundbreaking innovations. It encourages other women and girls to realize their full potential as future scientists, innovators, and tech leaders in the EU. This initiative supports a culture within research and innovation organizations and companies that nurtures women as the entrepreneurs and innovators of tomorrow.
Every year, the prize is awarded to women from across the EU and countries associated with Horizon Europe. These women have turned their ideas into disruptive innovations that benefit people and the planet and who act as inspiring leaders.
The prize offers a grant amount of €100,000.
To be eligible, applicants must be women legally residing in an EU Member State, including overseas countries and territories, or in a country associated with Horizon Europe. They must be the founder or co-founder of their company or organization. The company or organization should have been established and registered at least two years before the call year in an eligible country.
Applicants who have already received an EU or Euratom prize for the same activities cannot receive a second prize. For the Rising Innovators category, applicants must be under 35 at the start of the call year. Applicants to the EIT category need a direct link to the EIT Community or one of the existing Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). Proof of eligibility may be requested. Applicants can apply to only one prize category if eligible for several.
The evaluation considers three main criteria. First, breakthrough innovation — the innovation should be pioneering, especially in deep-tech and STEM fields, and applicants must show what makes their innovation stand out compared to existing solutions. Second, impact — the innovation should address a real challenge with significant benefits for people or the planet, demonstrating positive socio-economic or environmental effects such as wellbeing, education, profit, or job creation.
Third, inspiration — the applicant should be an inspiring leader who has played a key role in their organization’s success and serves as a role model empowering other women and girls. This includes efforts to promote gender balance within their company or beyond and advocating initiatives that positively contribute to gender equality in areas like access to finance, networks, product design, and education, while supporting gender-responsive innovation.
For more information, visit European Commission.