Competitions

The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia has announced that the application phase for the NRW 2026 Innovation Award has begun. To mark the 50th anniversary of the International Year of Women, the state government is setting an example for equal opportunities and visibility. This is why, for the first and only time, the prize is aimed exclusively at female innovators.

To recognise the achievements of women who are shaping the economy, science and society with outstanding ideas, the state government is encouraging female innovators from NRW to present their projects and visions.

Prizes are awarded in the following categories:

-innovation (40,000 euros)
-innovation2business (40,000 euros)
-innovation4people (40,000 euros)
-innovation4transformation (audience award, 15,000 euros)

Applications can be submitted until 6 March 2026 in the online application portal at Protected link to stgb.nrw. Further information on the NRW 2026 Innovation Award can be found at the same link.