The EU Prize for Women Innovators celebrates the women entrepreneurs behind game-changing innovations.
The EU seeks to raise awareness of the need for more female innovators, and create role models for women and girls everywhere. The Prize is awarded to up to four women innovators in total (including one young 'Rising Innovator’) who have created the largest impact on the innovation ecosystem by transforming ideas into new and advanced products and/or services for the benefit and wealth of European citizens.
Call opens: 18 March
Application deadline: 30 June 2021
PRIZES
Main category
- 3 prizes of 100,000 € each in the main category
- 1 prize of 50,000 € in the 'Rising Innovator’ category, for female innovators aged 30 or younger.
ELIGIBILITY In order to be eligible, applicants must be:
• female;
• resident in an EU Member State or country associated to Horizon Europe;
• founder or co-founder of an active innovative company registered at least two years before the submission deadline.
• those applying for the Rising Innovator category must be aged 30 or younger at the start of the call year.
AWARD CRITERIA
If admissible and eligible, all eligible applications will be evaluated and ranked against the following award criteria:
Breakthrough innovation–the company founded or co-founded by the applicant provides a truly innovative product or service. In presenting her innovation, the applicant will clearly demonstrate what makes this product or service innovative, describing its added value and viability, particularly in relation to other existing solutions.
Impact–the product or service addresses a specific societal need or challenge, with significant benefits to citizens and to the economy. The applicant should describe the specific need addressed, and demonstrate the benefit of their product or service for society. She should demonstrate that the product or service contributes to the creation of jobs and growth in Europe. The applicant should also demonstrate her company's positive contribution to the broader innovation ecosystem and support this with quantifiable information on the economic impact in particular, including countries where the product or service is commercialised, turnover (in EUR), jobs created, and any other direct or indirect impact. The applicant should also detail the medium-and long-term development strategy for the company.
Inspiration–the applicant has shown active leadership and has played a pivotal role in the success of the company. The applicant is a strong role model who has the potential to inspire others within her company and beyond.
Download the contest rules
Download the application forms
