Applications are open for the 2026 EU Award for Gender Equality Champions, an initiative by the European Commission recognising universities, higher education institutions, and research and innovation organisations that are driving meaningful progress in gender equality. For the first time, organisations from countries with official EU candidate status are also eligible to participate, expanding the opportunity beyond EU Member States and Associated Countries.

The 2026 award will recognise organisations in three different categories. The Sustainable Gender Equality Champions category is open to organisations with a strong long-term record of implementing structural gender equality measures through Gender Equality Plans (GEPs), with one organisation selected as the winner. The Newcomer Gender Equality Champions category targets institutions that have recently completed their first Gender Equality Plan and can demonstrate significant progress in putting it into practice, with two winners to be selected. The Inclusive Gender Equality Champions category recognises organisations taking an innovative approach to gender equality by addressing gender alongside at least two other social dimensions, including racial or ethnic background, disability, sexual orientation, or social background.

A total of €400,000 is available through the awards, providing financial support to organisations that are helping create more inclusive and equitable research and higher education environments. Each organisation may apply under only one category, while previous winners of the award are not eligible to apply again.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, universities, and organisations involved in research and innovation based in EU Member States, countries associated with the EU research programme, and countries that currently hold EU candidate status. Applicants should carefully review the official eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, and Rules of Contest before preparing their submission.

Submissions will be assessed by an independent international jury, with the winners expected to be announced and recognised at an award ceremony in Brussels in 2027.

The EU Award for Gender Equality Champions was established in 2022 by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation to encourage lasting institutional change across the European Research Area and beyond. The initiative is managed by the European Research Executive Agency (REA).

Deadline; September 29, 2026

Scroll down below for more details and click on the official link attached to apply for this opportunity