European Union (EU) Prize for Women Innovators 2022 (€100,000 prize)

The EU Horizon Europe initiative has created the European Innovation Council (EIC). With a €10.1 billion budget, it supports game-changing technologies at every level of development, from early-stage research through proof-of-concept, technology transfer, and start-up finance and scale-up.
For the 2022 European Union (EU) Prize for Women Innovators, applications are being accepted. The EU Prize for Women Innovators honors the female entrepreneurs who are responsible for ground-breaking inventions. The EU hopes to accomplish this through increasing awareness of the need for more female innovators and by establishing role models for girls and women all across the world. The prize is given to the most brilliant female business owners from the EU and nations affiliated with Horizon Europe who have established a prosperous business and introduced innovation to the market. The prize is administered by the European Innovation Council and the SMEs Executive Agency, and a committee of independent experts selects the winners.

Benefits

Two reward categories are available:

1. Women Innovators category: three awards totaling EUR100,000 will be given to the three most brilliant female entrepreneurs from the EU and its associate nations.
2. Rising Innovators category: The most outstanding young inventors under 35 will get three awards of EUR 50,000 each.

Eligibility

The following people are eligible for the prize:

• who started a creative business that was registered at least two years in advance of the call year.
• Women (this prize celebrates women in all their diversity).
• Founded in a Horizon Europe Associate Country or an EU Member State.
• Under 35 applicants are eligible for the Rising Innovators category. The Women Innovators category does not have an age restriction.

Selection 

Three reward criteria will be used to evaluate eligible applications:

1. Breakthrough innovation: the applicant started or cofounded the business, which offers a genuinely new item or service on the EU market.
2. Impact: the item or service provides considerable advantages for people and/or the environment while addressing a particular social need or issue.
3. Inspiration: the candidate sees herself as a role model for other women and girls and has been instrumental in the company’s development.

How to Apply?

There are two reward categories available; select one and submit it.

Apply for Women Innovators
Apply for Rising Innovators

Click here to apply