Cartier Women’s Initiative for Scientific & Technological Innovation 2026
Deadline: June 24, 2025
The Cartier Women’s Initiative Science & Technology Pioneer Award 2026 is now open for applications. This international program aims to empower women impact entrepreneurs who develop disruptive technologies or scientific innovations that require extensive R&D and have high capital and technological complexity. The award offers financial grants (up to $100,000), fellowship support—including training, leadership coaching, and workshops—and social capital through visibility, mentorship, and a global network.
The application period is now open for the Cartier Women’s Initiative Science & Technology Pioneer Award 2026. This prestigious annual global entrepreneurship program aims to empower women impact entrepreneurs who are driving meaningful change. The Science & Technology Pioneer awards honor talented female entrepreneurs worldwide who are developing innovative solutions based on unique, protected, or complex scientific and technological advances that require extensive R&D, involve long commercialization cycles, entail high capital investment, and carry significant technological risks.
What the Award Offers:
1. Financial Support
– First Place: US$ 100,000 grant
– Second Place: US$ 60,000 grant
– Third Place: US$ 30,000 grant
2. Human Capital Support (Fellowship)
– Personalized 1:1 training in specific business areas
– Leadership, communications, and media workshops
– In-person participation in the INSEAD Women Impact Entrepreneurship Program
– Executive leadership coaching via The Women’s Impact Alliance
3. Social Capital & Visibility
– Highlighting social and environmental impacts of fellows’ work
– Opportunities for international exposure and media coverage
– Mentorship and support from jury members during the fellowship
– Access to a lifelong community of over 500 active members
– Ongoing support for business development
Eligibility Criteria:
– The business must be based on new technology, complex engineering, or scientific discovery, not solely on a disruptive business model.
– Development from idea (TRL 1) to commercialization (TRL 9) should take at least 2 years.
– The business should have the potential for significant positive impact in its industry and contribute to at least one UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).
– The enterprise must generate enough revenue to sustain operations and provide some profit; non-profit organizations are ineligible.
– The business should be in its early stages, with at least proof of concept, prototype, or in production (minimum TRL 4), and not more than 6 years since commercial launch.
– The applicant must be a woman occupying a main leadership role (e.g., CEO, COO, CTO, General Manager, Managing Director).
– The business must be majority owned by its founders and team, with one of the following ownership conditions:
– Women are the largest shareholders of founder equity, or
– The applicant owns at least as much as her co-founders, or
– If not a founder, the applicant owns at least as much as the founder(s).
– Sole proprietorships are not eligible.
– Applicants must have a good command of English (CEFR Level B2 or higher).
– Commitment to participate in the fellowship program from January to December 2026.
Selection Criteria:
– Embedded positive impact
– Market analysis and product-market fit
– Sustainability of the business and financial viability
– Strategy and execution capability
– Leadership qualities of the applicant
Application Details:
– All submissions must be in English.
– Deadline: June 24, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Central European Summer Time (CEST).
Seize this opportunity to propel your innovative technology or scientific venture with support from one of the world’s leading women entrepreneurship programs.
Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to elevate your impact-driven science or technology venture through the Cartier Women’s Initiative Science & Technology Pioneer Award 2026. By joining this prestigious program, you can access substantial financial backing, tailored mentorship, and global visibility—resources that can accelerate your path from innovative idea to market-ready solution. If you are a woman leading an impactful, scientifically advanced enterprise with the potential for meaningful change and sustainable growth, we encourage you to apply before the June 24, 2025 deadline. Take the next step in transforming your groundbreaking work into a global force for good—your innovative journey begins now.
For more information, visit Cartier Women’s Initiative.