Creating role models for change

The EIT Awards promote innovation and encourage entrepreneurs by putting the most innovative ventures, entrepreneurial graduates, innovation teams and women from the EIT Community in the spotlight. 

The nominees are selected for driving European innovation through ground-breaking products, projects and services that tackle global challenges in the fields of climate, energy, digitalisation, food, health, manufacturing, raw materials and urban mobility. The EIT Awards are held during INNOVEIT, the EIT’s annual Innovation Forum.

The EIT recognises the outstanding achievements of members of its Innovation Communities (KICs) through four categories:

EIT Women Leadership Award

The EIT Women Leadership Award recognises the outstanding work and achievements by an exceptional woman from the EIT Community.

Prize money is EUR 50 000 for the winner, EUR 20 000 for the second place and EUR 10 000 for the third place.

EIT CHANGE Award

The EIT CHANGE Award celebrates graduates of EIT-labelled education programmes who spur innovation and entrepreneurship and bring about a change in the areas of climate change, digitalisation, energy, health, and raw materials addressed by the EIT and its Innovation Communities.

Prize money is EUR 50 000 for the winner, EUR 20 000 for the second place and EUR 10 000 for the third place.

EIT Innovators Award

The EIT Innovators Award recognises KIC innovation teams composed of individuals from across the knowledge triangle that have developed a product, service or process with a high potential for societal and economic impact.

Prize money is EUR 50 000 for the winner, EUR 20 000 for the second place and EUR 10 000 for the third place.

EIT Venture Award

The EIT Venture Award puts the spotlight on successful entrepreneurial start-ups that have been supported by the innovation communities through dedicated business creation or business development processes.

Prize money is EUR 50 000 for the winner, EUR 20 000 for the second place and EUR 10 000 for the third place

Who can apply?

The competition is restricted to members of the EIT Community as indicated above. The Innovation Communities nominate innovators and role models for the four categories. If you would like to be considered as a nominee, get in touch with the Innovation Community that supported you.

What do EIT Awards nominees get?

  • Targeted media exposure via a dedicated EIT Awards promotional campaign
  • Online training prior to the event to sharpen pitch training and social media skills