Open Calls

She Shapes AI Opens 2025/26 Global Awards For Women In Responsible AI

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Overview

She Shapes AI, founded in 2024, is now accepting applications for its 2025/26 Global Awards, opening 15 October 2025. The annual awards spotlight women leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators using artificial intelligence responsibly to create real-world social impact.

Participation offers more than recognition. It provides access to a global ecosystem of partners, experts, and opportunities looking for AI projects that combine innovation with ethics and accountability.

How to Apply

  • The application window opens on 15 October 2025 and remains open until 8 December 2025, 11:59 PM CET.
  • Applications are submitted via the Awards Platform (linked through the She Shapes AI site).
  • Prospective applicants should carefully review the award categories, evaluation criteria, and submission guidelines posted on the platform.

Who Should Apply / Eligibility

  • The Awards are designed for women innovators, leaders, entrepreneurs, or professionals working in AI or AI-adjacent domains.
  • Applicants should be driving projects, solutions, or leadership in AI with a focus on responsible, impactful, ethical AI.
  • Participants from around the world are welcome.
  • Participants can nominate themselves or nominate a leader who is creating impact with responsible AI.

Award Categories

The 2025/26 Awards spotlight female leaders and innovators who advance and use AI responsibly across ten categories, crossing sectors and disciplines. Each category celebrates a unique nexus of innovation, responsibility, and impact.

The categories are:

  • AI + the Future of Work
  • AI + Education
  • AI + Finance
  • AI + Health
  • AI + Food Agriculture
  • AI + Trust & Security
  • AI + Media & Creative Industries
  • AI + Climate
  • Thought Leadership in AI
  • AI Wild Card

Benefits

  • Visibility & amplification across She Shapes AI’s channels and partner networks.
  • Network access to leaders, investors, and organisations seeking responsible AI talent and solutions.
  • Entry into a global community connecting innovation with ethics and social impact. 

How to Apply / Nominate

  • Window opens 15 Oct 2025 and closes 8 Dec 2025, 23:59 CET.
  • Submit via the awards platform linked from the She Shapes AI site.
  • Review the categories, criteria, and submission guidelines on the platform before you start the application.

About She Shapes AI

Founded by Dr Julia Stamm, She Shapes AI is a platform and movement dedicated to amplifying women’s leadership in responsible artificial intelligence. The organisation builds bridges between AI innovation, ethics, and social outcomes by offering awards, training, events, and networks that support women in AI globally. 

The Global Awards are a flagship initiative, now in its second edition, aimed at elevating voices, projects, and leaders who are shaping AI with vision, integrity, and impact.

RIF Launches €500,000 BRIDGE2HORIZON Call To Help Cypriot Consortia Leaders Prepare For Horizon Europe 

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

The Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) has opened a new call under BRIDGE2HORIZON/0326, with a total budget of €500,000 and funding of up to €100,000 per project. The programme is intended to strengthen Cyprus-registered research and innovation organisations in areas aligned with the country’s Smart Specialisation Strategy 2023–2030 and upcoming Horizon Europe work programmes.

RIF says the call is also designed to increase the number of Cypriot organisations that coordinate collaborative projects and lead pan-European research networks under Horizon Europe Pillar II and the programme’s European Missions.

Benefits

  • Total call budget: €500,000. 
  • Maximum funding per project: €100,000. 
  • The call is co-funded by the Republic of Cyprus and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the THALEIA 2021–2027 programme. 

Who can apply

The host organisation may be a:

  • Research Organisation 
  • Enterprise 
  • Other Organisation. 

Eligible partner organisations may also include Research Organisations, Enterprises, and Other Organisations. 

Criteria

The collaboration network must include at least one Enterprise (Category B) and one Research Organisation (Category A). 

The call is aimed at projects in thematic areas relevant both to Cyprus’ Smart Specialisation Strategy and to future Horizon Europe priorities.

How to apply

  • Deadline: 29 May 2026, 13:00, or earlier if the budget is exhausted. 
  • Submission portal: proposals must be submitted through the IRIS Portal. 
  • Call documents: available under the call announcement in IRIS. 

RIF will also hold an online information webinar on Friday, 3 April 2026, 12:00–13:00 local time. Interested applicants must register in advance through the link provided on the call page, and may submit questions ahead of time during registration. 

For further information, applicants can contact RIF’s Partner Support Centre at 22205000 or support@research.org.cy. 

About the programme

BRIDGE2HORIZON is part of RIF’s effort to help Cypriot organisations build the capacity needed to compete more successfully in Horizon Europe, particularly in collaborative projects where Cyprus-based entities take on a stronger coordinating role.

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