European Prize for Women Innovators 2027

The European Prize for Women Innovators awards women whose innovations are driving positive change

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the European Innovation Council (EIC) have jointly launched the 2027 edition of the European Prize for Women Innovators contest, which celebrates the women entrepreneurs behind Europe's most game-changing innovations.

The prize awards women from across the EU and countries associated with Horizon Europe, whose disruptive innovations are driving positive change for people and planet.

Prize categories

There are three prize categories:

• EIC Women Innovators category - three prizes of €100,000, €70,000 and €50,000 are awarded to the three highest-ranked applications.
• EIC Rising Innovators - three prizes of €50,000, €30,000 and €20,000 are awarded to the three highest-ranked applications from promising ‘Rising Innovators’ under the age of 35.
• EIT Women Leadership Award - awarded to exceptional women leaders from the EIT Community. The winner is awarded €50,000, and two runners-up are awarded €30,000 and €20,000 respectively.

Eligible applicants can apply to only one category. The winners will be chosen by an independent expert jury.

Information session

Potential applicants can find out more at an information webinar on Thursday 17 September 2026, from 10am to 11am. Find out more and register for the webinar.

Find out more and submit your application for the European Prize for Women Innovators.

First published 8 September 2026