Women Leadership Category
The prize aims to boost public awareness of the potential, importance, and contribution of women to the EU innovation ecosystem and to create strong role models, inspiring more women to become innovators themselves.
| Agency | HORIZON (EU) |
|---|---|
| Region | EU |
| Country | N/A |
| Legal form | Private person |
| Start date | 2 Sep 2026 |
| End date | 1 Dec 2026 |
| Max funding | Up to 50,000 EUR per winner |
| Budget | 100,000 EUR (2026) |
| Coverage | Prize for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ranked applications in each category; up to 3 prizes may be awarded. |
| Applicant Gender | Applicant must be a woman (including cis and legally recognized transgender women). |
|---|---|
| Applicant Status | Must apply as a natural person and not as a legal entity. Self-employment is not acceptable. Each applicant must register individually. |
| Residency | Legally residing in an EU Member State (including Overseas Countries and Territories) or a country associated to Horizon Europe. |
| Role | Applicant must be the founder or co-founder of the company or organisation. |
| Company/Organisation Eligibility | Company or organisation must be established and registered as a company or corporation in an eligible country at least one year before the call year and before 1 January 2025. |
| EIT Community Link | Applicant must have a direct link to the EIT Community (e.g., certificate from an EIT KIC, EIT Labelled Educational Programme diploma, or signed agreement for financial support from an EIT KIC). |
| Maximum Number of Entries | Applicants eligible for several prize categories can only apply to one. Only the latest application will be considered. |
| Application Requirements |
|
| Previous EU/Euratom Prize Winners | Applicants who have already received an EU or Euratom prize cannot receive a second prize for the same activities. |
| Exclusion Criteria |
|
| Documentation | https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-EIT-2026-PRIZE-WIP-LEADERSHIP |
Breakthrough innovation (6–10 points): The company or organisation founded/cofounded by the applicant must be developing a breakthrough innovation, particularly in Deeptech and STEM fields. |
Impact (6–10 points): The innovation must address a real need or challenge with significant socio-economic and/or environmental benefits. |
Inspiration (6–10 points): The applicant must be an inspiring leader and role model for other women, actively contributing to gender equality. |
Minimum score per criterion: 6/10. Overall threshold: 18/30. Maximum points: 30. Only applications ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd receive the prize in each category. |
Joint applications and applications by legal entities or self-employed persons are not accepted. Applicants from the same organisation must apply separately. |
Submit applications before the deadline via the Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System. |
Application must include all required administrative and technical documents, a video message, and proof of eligibility. |
If more than 500 applications are submitted, a pre-selection phase will shortlist the top 500 for jury review. |
Applicants may be invited to a hearing (up to six per category) for final jury assessment. |
For ties, prize amounts may be shared equally. |
Completed administrative form (Part A, online). |
Technical description (Part B, max 15 pages, uploaded). |
Annexes: Video message (max 90 seconds, max 100 MB, .zip), proof of direct link to EIT Community. |
Proof of age (if required for other categories). |
Registration as a 'natural person' in the Participant Register. |