Call window open European Prize for Women Innovators 2027 (EIC and EIT, Horizon Europe)
An EIC and EIT prize totalling €420,000, with up to €100,000 for women founders or co-founders of innovative companies from the EU and from countries associated with Horizon Europe, including Romania. You apply individually, as a natural person, by 1 December 2026.
- Who can apply
- Women who have founded or co-founded an innovative company or organisation registered in an EU Member State…
- Total budget
- €420,000, split across three categories
- Funding amount
- Women Innovators
- Submission period
- 2 September 2026 – 1 December 2026, 17:00 CET
Checked against official sources on · funder: European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency · official source
The call window is open. The time left until the deadline decides whether we can still build your application in time, so call today.
Who can apply
Women who founded or co-founded an innovative company or organisation registered in an EU Member State or a country associated with Horizon Europe before 1 January 2025. The applicant applies individually, as a natural person, and must be legally resident in an eligible country. Self-employment, for example as a PFA (sole trader), is not accepted. For Rising Innovators, the applicant must have been born on or after 1 January 1991. For EIT Women Leadership, she must have a direct link with the EIT community.
What it covers
- Rewards results already achieved by founders, not a future project
- Women Innovators category, with no age limit
- Rising Innovators category, for applicants born on or after 1 January 1991
- EIT Women Leadership category, for applicants linked to the EIT community
- The money does not have to be justified through expenses
Apply in the current call window
- We analyse whether you qualify and under which programme exactly.
- We build the application: business plan, budget, supporting documents.
- We submit during the call window and follow the evaluation.
- We stay with you through the reimbursement file and final payment.
Frequently asked questions
Until when can you apply for the European Prize for Women Innovators 2027?
Applications are submitted online, on the Funding & Tenders Portal, between 2 September 2026 and 1 December 2026, 17:00 CET (Brussels time). The deadline is not extended. Evaluation takes place between December 2026 and April 2027, and results are communicated between April and June 2027.
How much are the prizes worth?
The total fund is €420,000. For Women Innovators, the prizes are €100,000, €70,000 and €50,000. For Rising Innovators and EIT Women Leadership, the prizes are €50,000, €30,000 and €20,000 each. The money is paid after the awards ceremony, provided all the required documents have been submitted.
Who can apply from Romania?
A woman can apply if she is legally resident in Romania or in another eligible country and has founded or co-founded a company or organisation registered in an EU Member State or a country associated with Horizon Europe before 1 January 2025. She applies individually, as a natural person. Self-employment is not accepted.
What is the age limit for Rising Innovators?
Rising Innovators applicants must be under 35 at the start of the year of the call. In practice, they must have been born on or after 1 January 1991 and must upload proof of age in PDF format. There is no age limit for Women Innovators.
What documents does the application contain?
The application has three parts: Part A, with administrative data, completed online; Part B, the technical description, of up to 15 pages, uploaded as a PDF; and a video of no more than 90 seconds and a maximum of 100 MB, uploaded as a .zip file. For Rising Innovators, proof of age is added. For EIT Women Leadership, proof of the link with the EIT community is added.
How are applications evaluated?
The jury scores three criteria, each with a maximum of 10 points: breakthrough innovation, impact and inspiration. The minimum threshold is 6 points on each criterion and 18 points in total. The top six applicants in each category are invited to an interview with the jury, in Brussels or online.
How long does it take to prepare the application?
It depends on the complexity of the project and the documents you already have. The first step is the eligibility analysis, which tells you what needs to be prepared.
What happens if I do not qualify?
We tell you before any contract is signed, and if another suitable programme exists, we point you to it.
Next step
Apply in the current call window — European Prize for Women Innovators 2027 (EIC and EIT, Horizon Europe)
Fill in the form and we will tell you whether you qualify. If you do not qualify under this programme, we will tell you which other one you could apply for — or that there is none, if that is the case.
or call us directly on 0755 167 167
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