Open Calls

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

by THEFUTURE.TEAM
October 16, 2025

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.

EIT Community Launches €1 Million ‘Catalyse NEB 2026’ Programme to Empower Europe’s Next Generation of Impact-Driven Startups

by THEFUTURE.TEAM
November 4, 2025

The EIT Community New European Bauhaus (NEB) has launched the €1 million Catalyse NEB 2026 programme, a major European funding call to support 20 impact-driven startups across Europe. The initiative is part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and aims to accelerate ventures that blend sustainability, design, and inclusion,  the core values of the New European Bauhaus movement.

Overview

Through Catalyse NEB 2026, selected startups will gain the tools, funding, and European network needed to scale their solutions responsibly. The programme supports innovators working at the crossroads of creativity, technology, and sustainability, from climate and circular economy, to food, manufacturing, urban mobility, and wellbeing.

Delivered by EIT Climate-KIC, with partners including EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing, and EIT Urban Mobility, the call strengthens cross-sector collaboration and fosters startups that help turn the European Green Deal into reality through human-centred design.

Benefits

Each of the 20 selected startups will receive a €50,000 support package, including a combination of financial support, in-kind services, and mentoring, as well as an additional €22,000 grant for travel, dissemination, and participation costs.

Startups will also benefit from:

  • Tailored business and communication mentoring aligned with NEB values
  • Training workshops on strategy, storytelling, and impact measurement
  • Visibility and investor exposure through EIT events and pan-European platforms
  • Integration into the EIT Community network of over 2,000 partners and 60 innovation hubs

Who Can Apply

Startups must be:

  • Legally registered in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe–Associated Country
  • Founded on or after 1 January 2021
  • At pre-seed, seed, or early-stage (up to Series A)
  • Have raised less than €1 million in total
  • Led by at least one founder who will actively participate in the programme
  • Ready to sign a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) with the EIT

Startups must also demonstrate one of the following:

  • ≥ €15,000 in revenue in 2024
  • ≥ €40,000 in external investment
  • Participation in the Grow NEB programme

Projects must address at least one New European Bauhaus challenge:

  • Reconnecting with nature
  • Regaining a sense of belonging
  • Prioritising places and people most in need
  • Fostering long-term, circular thinking and life-cycle design

How to Apply

  • Call opens: 27 October 2025
  • Information session: 26 November 2025, Register here.
  • Deadline: 19 January 2026, 17:00 CEST
  • Evaluation period: January – April 2026
  • Programme start: 25 May 2026

Applications must be submitted via the official EIT NEB Awards Platform

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