2027 European Prize for Women Innovators – Up to €100,000
The 2027 European Prize for Women Innovators recognises women founders and co-founders whose innovations are creating significant impact for people, society and the planet.
- FundingUp to €100,000
- Who can applyAustria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark…
- Application feeFree
Overview
Applications are open until December 1, 2026, at 17:00 CET.
At a glance
About
- Opportunity type
- Grant / Innovation Prize
- Host
- European Innovation Council & European Institute of Innovation & Technology
- Detail
- Information
- Categories
- Women Innovators, Rising Innovators, EIT Women Leadership
- Gender
- Women only
- Company requirement
- Founder/co-founder of an eligible company or organisation
- Applications open
- September 2, 2026
- Evaluation
- December 2026 – April 2027
- Finalist announcement
- March 2027
Funding
- Prize
- Up to €100,000
- Application fee
- Free
- Award ceremony
- June 2027
Eligibility
- Nationality
- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Japan, Australia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Egypt, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Korea, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Türkiye, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
- Age limit
- No age limit for Women Innovators; under 35 for Rising Innovators
- Company age
- Must have been registered/incorporated before January 1, 2025
Who can apply
Applicants must:
- Be a woman
- Apply as an individual/natural person, not as a company
- Be legally residing in an eligible EU Member State or Horizon Europe-associated country
- Be the founder or co-founder of a company or organisation
- Have a company or organisation established in an eligible country
- Have the company registered or incorporated before January 1, 2025
- Meet the additional requirements of the selected category
For the Rising Innovators category, applicants must be under 35 at the start of 2027. There is no age limit for the Women Innovators category.
This is a women-only opportunity.
The official rules state that the prize is open to cis women and transgender women who are legally defined as women. Applicants must apply as natural persons.
Applicants must be legally residing in an EU Member State or a country associated with Horizon Europe, and their company or organisation must also be established in an eligible country.
European Union Member States
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Horizon Europe Associated Countries
Albania, Armenia, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Egypt, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, South Korea, Switzerland, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
Important: Australia is associated to Horizon Europe from January 2027, while Japan’s association was formalised in 2026. The 2027 prize rules also allow applicants from countries negotiating association to participate where the association agreement applies before the award.
Applicants must submit their application through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
The application includes:
- Administrative information
- Technical description of the innovation
- Supporting documents
- An inspiring video of up to 90 seconds
- Proof of age for Rising Innovators applicants
- Proof of EIT Community connection for EIT Women Leadership applicants, where applicable
The main application is limited to 15 pages.
What you get
The prize celebrates women entrepreneurs who have turned innovative ideas into businesses or organisations creating measurable economic, social or environmental impact.
Applications are evaluated on three areas:
- Breakthrough innovation
- Impact
- Inspiration and leadership
The innovation can cover areas including deep tech, STEM, digital innovation, health, climate and other fields where the solution demonstrates significant impact.
EIC Women Innovators
- 1st prize: €100,000
- 2nd prize: €70,000
- 3rd prize: €50,000
EIC Rising Innovators
For promising women innovators under 35:
- 1st prize: €50,000
- 2nd prize: €30,000
- 3rd prize: €20,000
EIT Women Leadership
For exceptional women leaders who are part of the EIT Community:
- 1st prize: €50,000
- 2nd prize: €30,000
- 3rd prize: €20,000
Applicants can apply to only one category.
How to apply
- Choose the appropriate prize category.
- Register as a natural person in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
- Prepare the application and supporting documents.
- Record the required 90-second video.
- Submit the application online before the deadline.
- Complete any validation documents requested by the EU.
Minimum Degree Required
No degree requirement is specified.
The prize focuses on the founder’s innovation, impact and leadership rather than academic qualifications.
Work Experience
No minimum work experience requirement is specified.
Applicants must, however, demonstrate their role as the founder or co-founder and the impact of their innovation.
Is There an Application Fee?
No application fee is stated in the official 2027 Rules of Contest.
Applications are submitted electronically through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
Is This Fully Funded?
No.
This is a competitive innovation prize, not a fully funded programme. The selected winners receive prize money of up to €100,000, but the programme does not promise to cover travel, accommodation or other participation costs.
Final Note
The 2027 European Prize for Women Innovators is currently open and offers up to €100,000 to women innovators across the EU and eligible Horizon Europe-associated countries. The deadline is December 1, 2026 at 17:00 CET.
Frequently asked questions
Can men apply?
No. The 2027 prize is specifically for women. The official rules define eligible applicants as cis women or transgender women who are legally defined as women.
Can an Indian woman entrepreneur apply?
Not if she is legally residing in India and her company is established in India. India is not currently associated with Horizon Europe.
Is there an age limit?
There is no age limit for the Women Innovators category. The Rising Innovators category is for women under 35.
Does the company need to already exist?
Yes. The company or organisation must have been registered or incorporated before January 1, 2025. Self-employment alone does not qualify.
Can I apply to multiple categories?
No. Each eligible applicant can apply to only one category.
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