Library FAQ
What are the objectives of the European Innovation Procurement Awards?
To recognise public and private buyers promoting innovation procurement and the innovative ways solutions are procured, emphasising buyer–supplier cooperation.
What award criteria are used to judge iCapital applications?
Experimenting, escalating, ecosystem building, expanding, and the city's long-term innovative vision.
What award criteria does the jury use for the Women Innovators prize?
Breakthrough innovation, impact on societal need and economy, and inspiration through leadership and potential to motivate others.
What categories and population requirements exist for the iCapital awards in 2021?
European Capital of Innovation: cities with minimum 250 000 inhabitants (or largest cities in countries with no such city if ≥50 000). European Rising Innovative City: towns/cities with 50 000 to 249 999 inhabitants.
What categories and prize amounts exist for the Innovation Procurement Awards in 2021?
Three categories: Innovation procurement strategy, Facing societal challenges (COVID-19), and Procurement leadership. Each category awards a winner EUR 75 000 and a runner-up EUR 25 000.
What criteria does the jury consider for the Innovation Procurement Awards?
Transformation of procurement towards innovation, uptake (replicability and scalability), collaboration leading to the solution, and societal impact (including digital transformation and Green Deal priorities).
What endorsement is required when applying for an iCapital award?
Each application must include a specific endorsement signed by the city Mayor or equivalent highest political representative.
What is the EU Prize for Women Innovators?
A prize that celebrates women entrepreneurs behind game-changing innovations, raising awareness of female innovators and creating role models.
What is the focus of the European Social Innovation Competition challenge prize in 2021?
'Skills for tomorrow' — social innovations that help people and organisations identify, develop and strengthen skills needed to adapt and thrive.
What is the purpose of the European Capital of Innovation Awards (iCapital)?
To recognise cities as catalysts of local innovation ecosystems and stimulate activities that boost game-changing urban innovation.
What is the selection and support process for the Social Innovation challenge prize?
Up to 30 semi-finalists are shortlisted and receive four months of business acceleration services; they then submit development plans, from which 10 finalists are chosen and 3 winners are awarded EUR 50 000 each.
What prize categories and amounts exist for the EU Prize for Women Innovators in 2021?
The 'Women Innovators' main category awards three prizes of EUR 100 000 each; the 'Rising Innovator' category awards one prize of EUR 50 000 to an applicant aged 30 or younger.
What timeframe must awarded procurement practices relate to?
They must relate to completed or ongoing initiatives started by 1 January 2017.
Who can apply to the Social Innovation Competition challenge prize?
Legal entities (including single persons or groups of legal entities, excluding public administrations) located in EU Member States or Associated Countries; applicants may be for-profit or non-profit and at any maturity level.
Who is eligible to apply for the Innovation Procurement Awards?
Any public and/or private procurer, as well as individuals/natural persons, located in an EU Member State or an Associated Country, with the procurement practice carried out in such a country.
Who is ineligible to apply for the iCapital awards?
Winners of former iCapital editions and runners-up of the edition organised one year prior to the current edition are not eligible; previous finalist cities remain eligible.
Who manages and selects winners of the EU Prize for Women Innovators?
The prize is launched and managed by the European Innovation Council and the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Executive Agency; winners are chosen by an independent expert jury.
Are proposals required to focus on civil or military applications?
Applications under the EIC Transition funding scheme must focus exclusively on civil applications.
Are Technology Transfer Offices or business schools encouraged to participate?
Yes. Technology Transfer Offices or business schools are encouraged to actively participate as they can support researchers in development and commercialisation of results.
Are there eligibility restrictions related to consortia size?
Consortia of more than five eligible entities will be deemed ineligible.
How do the award criteria differ at the jury interview (second step)?
At the jury interview the criteria are judged GO/NO GO and focus on Excellence, Impact and Quality and efficiency of implementation with emphasis on scale-up potential, soundness of the business model, market identification, investment plans, risk assessment a...
How many members compose the EIC Jury at the interview?
The EIC Jury will be composed of between four and six members and may additionally include one EIC Programme Manager as observer.
What are the award criteria at the first evaluation step?
Proposals are assessed on Excellence (threshold 4/5), Impact (threshold 4/5), and Quality and efficiency of the implementation (threshold 3/5).
What are the expected outcomes of an EIC Transition project?
a) A technology demonstrated to be effective for its intended application, and b) A validated business model and a business plan. Intellectual property generated should be adequately protected.