EC opens call for Gender Equality Champions

On 7 May 2025, the European Commission opened the call for applications to the fourth edition of the Gender Equality Champions. Interested organisations can apply online via the Funding and Tenders Portal until 18 June 2025. This prize awards outstanding achievements reached through the implementation of Gender Equality Plans (GEP) put in place by universities, higher education institutions, and other research performing organisations (public or private), established in an EU Member State or a Third Country associated to Horizon Europe.

There are 3 award categories:

1. Sustainable Gender Equality Champions: organisations that can demonstrate a significant and sustained record of activity and a high level of achievement through the implementation of their GEP.
2. Newcomer Gender Equality Champions: organisations that have recently finalised the implementation of their first GEP and can demonstrate the most progress achieved through its implementation.
3. Inclusive Gender Equality Champions: organisations that can demonstrate concrete results obtained through the implementation of an inclusive GEP. This should address intersections between gender and at least two other social categories, such as racial or ethnic origin, social origin, sexual orientation and gender identity, or disability.

The results will be officially announced during an award ceremony to be held in 2026. Each winner will receive a trophy and a €100,000 prize. Applicants can only apply to one of the three categories and winners from past editions cannot re-apply to another category.

For more information:

EC DG RTD - news

EU Award for Gender Equality Champions