“LEADERS – Women Innovators in Manufacturing at EIT RIS” Prize Competition

Purpose 

• The prize is awarded to the to the three most talented women innovators in EIT RIS eligible countries who have significantly impacted the innovation ecosystem by transforming ideas into new and advanced solutions that benefit people and/or the planet. With this prize, EIT Manufacturing seeks to raise awareness of the need for more women innovators in manufacturing and create role models for women and girls everywhere.

Strategic Objectives 

EIT Manufacturing strategic objectives (SOs), as set out in the Strategic Agenda 2021- 2027, which steer our activities and ambitions, and will help respond to major challenges shared by the manufacturing industry and society.

• Put people at the center of manufacturing.
• Accelerate green manufacturing.
• Foster sovereignty and competitiveness.

Budget and Funding

• The total maximum EIT funding allocated to this call is 22.500 EUR in the form of prizes and 3.600 EUR daily allowance in the form of a lump sum. The amounts will be allocated according to the below estimation.
• Applicants compete for the following:
  • Up to 60 eligible applicants will receive online pitch training.
  • The 6 top-ranked finalists will have access to the in-person awarding ceremony and will receive visibility and international publicity through EIT Manufacturing’s communication channels.
  • The 3 top-ranked finalists in addition to the visibility, will receive also prize money. The Prizes for the 3 top-ranked finalists are the following:
    • 1st 10,000 EUR
    • 2nd 7,500 EUR
    • 3rd 5,000 EUR
  • The six finalists are invited to the in-person awarding ceremony, if they accept the invitation, are entitled to the reimbursement of incurred expenses for accommodation, meals, and travel. This is paid as one lump-sum amount known as a daily allowance. The allowance is capped at 600 EUR per finalist.

Expected Impacts 

The applications submitted are expected to contribute to the RIS objective of increasing the innovative capacity of countries and regions in Europe where the pace of innovation is modest or moderate. The activities impact should address some of all of the following RIS-related aspects:

• Increased awareness of EIT and EIT Manufacturing to women researchers and innovators from EIT RIS countries.
• Increased attractiveness of manufacturing after showcasing modern, novel solutions developed by the female candidates.
• a higher proportion of women involved in EIT Manufacturing RIS activities and EIT Manufacturing activities in general.
• in the long term, more women to be interested in pursuing a career in European manufacturing.

EIT RIS Eligible Countries (2021-2024)

• EU Member States: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia
• Horizon Europe Associated Countries: Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine
• Outermost Regions: Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Réunion, Martinique, Mayotte and Saint-Martin (France), the Azores and Madeira (Portugal), and the Canary Islands (Spain)

Who can Apply?

• LEADERS – Women Innovators in Manufacturing at EIT RIS is open to applications from women innovators (i.e. professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, etc.) that are citizens of EIT RIS eligible countries and play a leading role in developing solution fitting one of the following EIT Manufacturing strategic objectives (SOs), as set out in the Strategic Agenda 2021- 2027:
  • Put people at the centre of manufacturing:
    • Enhance work environment to make manufacturing jobs more attractive, safe, and inclusive.
    • Accelerate digital adoption across the manufacturing sector, enhancing competitiveness through improved efficiency and innovation.
  • Accelerate green manufacturing:
    • Promote circularity principle by shifting to a servitisation model
    • Accelerate Net-Zero emissions principle with a value-chain decarbonization approach.
    • Improve resource efficiency to start a shift towards zero-waste processes.
  • Foster sovereignty and competitiveness:
    • Long-term industry transformation, with manufacturers developing new business models and revenue streams based on where continuous innovation, adaptability, and entrepreneurial thinking are the norm.
    • Strengthened collaboration within the European manufacturing ecosystem, especially with RIS countries, enhancing overall resilience and innovation capacity.

For more information, visit European Institute of Technology and Innovation (EIT).