Request for Proposals: Rising Innovators Grant Programme

Deadline: 01-Dec-2026

The Rising Innovators Grant Programme recognises and supports women under 35 who have founded or co-founded companies or organisations in the EU or Horizon Europe associated countries and have developed impactful, disruptive innovations. The programme offers €20,000 to €50,000 in prize awards to recognise outstanding achievements and increase the visibility of young women in science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

About the Rising Innovators Grant Programme

The Rising Innovators Grant Programme is designed to recognise young women who are making significant contributions to the European innovation ecosystem. The programme highlights the role of women in developing new technologies, innovative products, services, companies, and solutions that create meaningful impact. By recognising successful young women innovators, the programme aims to encourage more women and girls to pursue careers in: The programme also provides visibility for women whose entrepreneurial achievements can serve as examples for the next generation of female scientists, innovators, and technology leaders. Grant and Prize Amount The Rising Innovators Category provides financial awards to selected women innovators. - Awards range from €20,000 to €50,000. - The awards recognise outstanding innovation and entrepreneurial achievements. - Funding can help winners continue developing their work and expand the impact of their innovations. The award is intended to recognise the achievements and contribution of young women innovators rather than function as a general business start-up grant. Who Is Eligible to Apply? The Rising Innovators Grant Programme has specific requirements concerning age, gender, residence, entrepreneurial role, and company registration.

Applicants must:

- Be women under 35 years of age at the start of the call year. - Apply as a natural person. - Be legally resident in an EU Member State, including eligible overseas countries and territories, or a country associated with Horizon Europe. - Be the founder or co-founder of a company or organisation. - Have established the company or organisation in an eligible country. - Ensure that the company or organisation was registered at least one year before the call year. - Have developed or contributed to a disruptive innovation with significant impact. Applicants should ensure that they meet all eligibility conditions before preparing and submitting an application. What Type of Innovation Is Recognised? The programme focuses on women who have delivered disruptive innovations with significant impact. Eligible innovation achievements may involve areas such as: - New technologies and technology-based solutions. - Innovative products or services. - Research-based innovations. - Solutions addressing major societal challenges. - Innovations that create economic or social value. - New approaches that demonstrate substantial impact. Applicants should clearly explain what makes their innovation distinctive and provide evidence of the impact achieved through their work. Why Does the Rising Innovators Programme Matter? Women continue to play an important role in Europe’s research, technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation ecosystem. The Rising Innovators Programme helps increase the visibility of young women who have built innovative companies or organisations and created measurable or significant impact.

The initiative aims to:

- Recognise young women innovators. - Highlight women’s contributions to innovation. - Encourage more women to pursue science and technology careers. - Promote women in entrepreneurial and technology leadership. - Inspire the next generation of female scientists and innovators. - Provide recognition and financial support to successful young innovators. How Are Applicants Assessed? The programme recognises applicants based on their innovation and entrepreneurial achievements. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate: - Their role as founder or co-founder. - The nature and originality of their innovation. - The problem or challenge addressed by the innovation. - The development of the company or organisation. - The impact created by the innovation. - Evidence supporting their achievements. - Their contribution to the broader innovation ecosystem. A clear explanation of the innovation and its real-world impact can help evaluators understand the significance of the applicant’s work. How to Apply Applicants should first confirm that they meet the age, residence, founder, company registration, and innovation requirements. The application preparation process should include:

- Check your age: Confirm that you will be under 35 at the start of the relevant call year.

- Confirm residence: Make sure you legally reside in an eligible EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated country.

- Verify founder status: Confirm that you are the founder or co-founder of the relevant company or organisation.

- Check company registration: Ensure that the company or organisation was established in an eligible country and registered at least one year before the call year.

- Describe the innovation: Clearly explain the technology, product, service, solution, or approach you developed.

- Demonstrate impact: Provide clear evidence showing the significance and results of your innovation.

- Explain your contribution: Describe your role in developing the company, organisation, or innovation.

- Check previous awards: Confirm that the same activities have not previously received an EU or Euratom prize.

- Apply individually: Joint applications are not accepted.

- Review the application: Check that all information is accurate and that the application meets the specific requirements before submission.

Important Eligibility Rules Applicants should carefully consider the following conditions: - Applicants must be women under 35 at the start of the call year. - Applications must be submitted by natural persons. - Applicants must legally reside in