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European Innovation Council

EIC Women Leadership Programme

EIC WLP 5

 

About

To support the role of women in innovation and tech, the European Innovation Council (EIC), in partnership with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), offers a skills enhancement and networking programme for women researchers and entrepreneurs, the Women Leadership Programme (WLP).  

The programme is open to female researchers and entrepreneurs from the EIC Community and EIT female entrepreneurs. Each cohort consists of both virtual and in-person training sessions, led by high-profile experienced trainers who challenge participants’ leadership approaches with inspiring case studies and use participatory approaches to encourage active engagement. Participants benefit from individual coaching and personal mentoring. Through dedicated networking events, they also engage with peers and inspiring role models.

Who is eligible to participate?

EIC Women Leadership Programme’s recurring cohorts target female members of EIC and EIT beneficiaries, separately:

  • EIC and EIT female (co)founders and managers (CEOs, CTOs, CFOs, COOs, CCOs, etc.) who want to strengthen their skills and expand their network. 
  • EIC female researchers involved in research projects aspiring to lead the transition of their research into businesses.

The 5th WLP cohort, starting in April 2024, is specifically designed for female researchers and aspiring female leaders open to EIC beneficiary from EIC Pathfinder and EIC Transition schemes. In addition, one more WLP cohort will be launched at the end of 2024, with a focus on female (co-)founders and leaders in C-Suite positions. Eligible candidates can apply to open calls launched on the EIC Community (see further details below).   

What does the programme offer?

Participants will benefit from a tailored programme following a needs assessment, including specific training sessions with interactive exercises and discussions, networking events, personalised mentorship, and business-coaching schemes.

Trainings

Participants have access to training sessions on topics such as negotiation, pitching, leadership styles, marketing, and public speaking, that address the participants needs. The trainings take place during business days, with a duration of 2 hours each. Sessions are led by experts from the industry and are designed to be interactive, offering hands-on exercises and case studies to help participants put their leadership skills into practice.

Networking

Dedicated networking events take place throughout the programme to increase the participants’ network and heighten their visibility with key stakeholders in the European innovation ecosystem. During the training sessions, keynote speakers provide testimonials and facilitate networking moments. WLP fosters and promotes the exchange of experiences between its cohort participants and provides speed-dating activities with mentors.

Personal Mentoring and Business Coaching

The mentors, ranging from experienced CEOs and investors to serial entrepreneurs, are matched with participants based on career challenges faced by the participant. Participants meet with their mentors on a regular basis to receive support on their career goals and challenges.

In addition, participants have the opportunity to work with an expert EIC business coach. These experts support participants with business related goals and challenges, such as identifying new business opportunities.  

Alumni Group

Programme’s participants are included into an exclusive alumni group on the EIC Community Platform to maintain an active contact with fellow participants, network, share events and relevant news.

EIC WLP 5th Cohort for female researchers and aspiring female leaders

The Application Call for the EIC WLP 5th cohort is now open! Prospective participants are encouraged to ​apply by filling in the application form on the EIC Community Platform by 20 March 2024 (EOD).  

 

22 February 2024 

Open Call for Applications 

20  March 2024 

Application deadline  

12 April 2024   

Confirmation of participation      

23 April  2024 

Introductory workshop and mentor speed dating, online 

25 April 2024 

Kick-off meeting and first training, online 

April- June 2024 

Training sessions and networking activities, online or in person (TBC) 

June 2024 

Closing Ceremony 

Upcoming cohorts

Not ready just yet? Check the timeline for the upcoming cohorts in 2024.

The programme is confirmed to continue in 2025.

More information on the cohorts and their timing will come soon.

  1. April - June 2024
    5th Cohort - Researchers

    Open application: February 2024

    Start: April 2024

    End: June 2024

    Apply now!

  2. October - December 2024
    6th Cohort - Entrepreneurs

    Open application: August - September 2024

    Start: October 2024

    End: December 2024

FAQ

Find all the answers on the EIC Women Leadership Programme 5th cohort in the FAQ.

22 FEBRUARY 2024
EIC WLP: FAQ
English
(259.15 KB - PDF)
Download

 

Background information

Support to women innovators is among the cornerstones of the EIC efforts to the economic competitiveness of Europe. The wide recognition and traction with high potential startups, especially from underrepresented groups such as women innovators and those from less developed ecosystems, has thus been included among the six strategic goals that the EIC Board has identified the period 2021-2027.

Initiatives from the European Innovation Council are providing a positive outcome to change the status quo and the gender gap in research and business. EIC supported deep tech innovation and breakthrough technologies indicate that almost 25% of the EIC Accelerator funding under Horizon Europe was so far dedicated to women-led companies, with similar EIC average funding per project (€ 5.6 million and €5,8 million, respectively). Since 2021, EIC women-led companies have received €852 million. In addition, 30% of all researchers supported under the EIC Pathfinder are women.

The EIC Women Leadership Programme and the Women TechEU scheme are the main actions that the EIC is taking to support the role of women in deep tech.