EIT Red Kalyna 2025

The EIT Red Kalyna 2025 grant is an initiative under the European Institute of Innovation and Technology aimed at recognizing and empowering exceptional Ukrainian women in entrepreneurship, research, and leadership who have demonstrated innovation in their fields. The program is open to individual female citizens of Ukraine, allowing nominations to be submitted by either the individuals themselves or third parties. Up to 10 outstanding role models will be inducted into the Red Kalyna Hall of Fame, which also includes the granting of the Red Kalyna Award.

The call opened on March 8, 2025, with an application deadline set for September 1, 2025, at 23:59 CET. This grant money, totaling 10,000 EUR, is intended to cover travel and accommodation costs for finalists attending the Awarding Ceremony. Each finalist can receive up to 1,000 EUR. The selection process is single-stage, emphasizing various criteria including the nominee’s innovation, contribution to the Ukrainian economy, and potential influence as a leader.

The evaluation process involves a panel of experts who will review nominations based on established criteria such as novelty and willingness to share experiences. Candidates must provide correct information, as any inaccuracies will lead to disqualification. Notification regarding the results is scheduled for October 1, 2025, followed by an Awarding Ceremony on November 29, 2025.

This initiative is part of the broader EIT Community Strategic Regional Innovations Cluster, focusing on fostering innovation in emerging European regions. The overarching goals include recognizing women’s achievements, promoting their visibility, and contributing to the rebuilding efforts of Ukraine post-conflict. Finalists will also benefit from networking opportunities and will be expected to act as ambassadors for the program within their communities. Co-funding is not required from applicants, and the process allows for appeal in cases of administrative or technical errors.

The program seeks to support and highlight the significant contributions of women in innovation and entrepreneurship, ultimately aiming to enhance the economic development of Ukraine.

The EIT Red Kalyna 2025 is a funding opportunity offered by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) under the Horizon Europe programme. It aims to recognize and empower exceptional Ukrainian women entrepreneurs, researchers, and leaders who have demonstrated innovation in their products, services, or businesses. Up to 10 outstanding role models will be inducted into the Red Kalyna Hall of Fame and receive the Red Kalyna Award.

The call opened on 08 March 2025, and the deadline for submitting applications is 1 September 2025 at 23:59 CET (Brussels time). The call is a single-stage submission process. The total funding available is 10,000 EUR. The project acronym is Cross-KIC RI, and the full name of the EU-funded project is Cross-KIC Strategic Regional Innovations Cluster. The grant agreement number is 101113214. The topic is HORIZON-EIT-2023-25-Cross-KIC-Regional-Innovation - EIT Cross-KIC Regional Innovation.

Nominations can be submitted by third parties or by the individuals themselves. Applications must be submitted in English via the online platform before the deadline. Candidates must be female citizens of Ukraine. Applications containing false information will result in immediate exclusion and the return of any financial support received.

The selection criteria emphasize the nominee's citizenship and current location (preferably Ukraine), novelty and innovation, willingness to share experience and inspire and empower other women, contribution to the Ukrainian economy or rebuilding efforts, stage of development and scalability, and links to their social media pages.

The evaluation process will be conducted by a team of experts, with results expected by 1 October 2025. Nominators will be informed of the outcome via email by the EIT Health InnoStars Project Coordinator. Evaluators will submit signed scorecards, and a jury meeting will be held to select up to 10 candidates. The final scorecard, endorsed by all jury members, will serve as the basis for awarding the finalists.

Selected finalists will be invited to the EIT Jumpstarter Grand Final event and Awarding Ceremony, with invitations sent directly by the EIT Red Kalyna Project Coordinator. The Awarding Ceremony will announce the Hall of Fame inductees. Finalists will also have the opportunity to participate in networking activities during the EIT Jumpstarter Grand Final.

Finalists commit to supporting the visibility and promotion of the program, providing testimonials, and consenting to video recording and photography for program purposes. They are encouraged to promote the program positively as ambassadors within their local networks. All images and assets displaying EIT KIC, the EIT Community, the EIT Jumpstarter, or the EIT itself must be approved by the organizers and adhere to EIT visual guidelines.

Key dates include:

Deadline for submitting the application: 1 September 2025 at 23:59 CET

Selection of the finalist and invitation to the Awarding Ceremony: by 1 October 2025

Awarding Ceremony: 29 November 2025 (to be confirmed)

Financing is based on individuals, with up to 10 role models being reimbursed based on eligibility criteria and reporting documents. Successful applicants are eligible for support to cover travel and accommodation costs. Each selected finalist will have a budget of up to 1,000 EUR to cover their travel and accommodation costs to attend the Awarding Ceremony in person. The basic eligibility criteria for funding is to sign the consent form or the financial support agreement. Finalists from previous editions of EIT Red Kalyna are not eligible.

For general program-related questions, contact diana.berezhna@eithealth.eu. Additional information is available on the Red Kalyna by EIT Community webpage.

Applicants may appeal the selection process or program execution errors, following the EIT Red Kalyna Appeals Procedure. Grounds for appeal are limited to process errors, technical problems beyond the applicant's control, and human/technical errors made by EIT KICs staff. Appeals must be sent in writing to diana@berezhna@eithealth.eu within 21 days of the error. The EIT Red Kalyna Programme Lead will assess the claim and deliver a first response. The Steering Committee of the EIT Community Strategic Regional Innovations Cluster will be notified in certain situations, and their decision will be final.

Participants are aware that EIT Red Kalyna Programme Lead, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, the European Commission, the European Court of Auditors (ECA), and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) can carry out checks, reviews, audits, investigations, and evaluations related to the call.

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) aims to enhance Europe’s ability to innovate by nurturing entrepreneurial talent and supporting groundbreaking ideas. It connects leading companies, universities, and research centers through Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). Currently, there are nine thematic KICs under the EIT umbrella: EIT Food, EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Digital, EIT InnoEnergy, EIT Health, EIT RawMaterials, EIT Manufacturing, EIT Urban Mobility, and EIT Culture & Creativity. The EIT Community Strategic Regional Innovations Cluster (EIT RIS) is a horizontal initiative focusing on fostering innovation in Emerging European regions.

The EIT Red Kalyna Initiative recognizes exceptional Ukrainian women entrepreneurs, researchers, and leaders who have developed innovative products and services or transformed their businesses through innovation. It aims to empower women in Ukraine and provide them with a platform for recognition, networking, and access to the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.

The scoring criteria include eligibility criteria and selection criteria. The eligibility criteria include: Full name of the nominee (indicated/ not indicated), Link to the LinkedIn or Facebook profile of the nominee (indicated/ not indicated), Ukrainian citizenship (yes/no), Current location (indicated/ not indicated), Focus area (indicated/ not indicated), Application format: Did the nominator fulfil the application format as set out in the T&C?) - yes/no. The selection criteria include: Novelty and Innovation level of the nominee's activity/approach (3 = Very Strong, 2 = Medium, 1 = Weak), Willingness and possibility to Share Experience and Inspire Others (3 = Very Strong, 2 = Medium, 1 = Weak), Contribution to the Ukrainian Economy or Rebuilding Efforts (3 = Very Strong, 2 = Medium, 1 = Weak), Stage of Development and Scalability (3 = Very Strong, 2 = Medium, 1 = Weak), Leadership and Influence (3 = Very Strong, 2 = Medium, 1 = Weak).

In summary, the EIT Red Kalyna 2025 is an initiative to celebrate and support Ukrainian women who are making significant contributions through innovation and entrepreneurship. It offers recognition, networking opportunities, and financial support for attending an award ceremony. The program seeks to highlight role models who can inspire others and contribute to the rebuilding of the Ukrainian economy. The application process involves nomination, evaluation based on specific criteria, and selection of finalists who will be inducted into the Red Kalyna Hall of Fame. The initiative is part of the broader EIT Community's efforts to foster innovation and address societal challenges, with a particular focus on empowering women in emerging European regions.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicants are individual female citizens of Ukraine who are entrepreneurs, researchers, or leaders who have developed innovative products and services or transformed their businesses through innovation. Nominations can be submitted either by the individuals themselves or by third parties.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is an award, with reimbursement for travel and accommodation costs to attend the Awarding Ceremony. This can also be considered cascade funding.

Consortium Requirement: This opportunity is for single applicants, specifically individual women.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is specifically for female citizens of Ukraine. While the initiative is part of the EIT Community Strategic Regional Innovations Cluster (EIT RIS) which focuses on Emerging European regions, the direct beneficiaries are Ukrainian women.

Target Sector: The program targets multiple sectors, including innovation, entrepreneurship, economic development, and women's empowerment. It is open to women in various fields who have demonstrated innovation in their products, services, or business models. Specific sectors mentioned within the EIT Community's broader scope include agri-food, climate, digital, energy, health, raw materials, manufacturing, urban mobility, and culture & creativity.

Mentioned Countries: Ukraine.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project varies, but it generally focuses on women who have already developed innovative products or services or transformed their businesses. This suggests a stage of development, validation, or commercialization.

Funding Amount: The funding amount is variable. While the total funding available is 10,000 EUR, this is distributed among up to 10 finalists. Each finalist receives up to 1,000 EUR to cover travel and accommodation costs for the Awarding Ceremony.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, submitted through an online platform.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries receive both money (reimbursement for travel and accommodation) and non-monetary services (recognition, networking opportunities, access to the EIT network, and promotion as role models).

Application Stages: The application process appears to be single-stage, with a single deadline for submissions.

Success Rates: The success rate can be estimated. With over 100 high-quality nominations received in the past and up to 10 finalists selected, the success rate is likely below 10%.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly required from the applicant. The initiative is open to external partners who wish to support and empower Ukrainian women entrepreneurs, suggesting that funding comes from the EIT Community and its partners.

The EIT Red Kalyna Initiative is a program by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) designed to recognize and empower exceptional Ukrainian women in entrepreneurship, research, and leadership. The initiative aims to identify up to 10 outstanding female role models each year who have demonstrated innovation in their respective fields. These women are inducted into the Red Kalyna Hall of Fame and receive the Red Kalyna Award. The program is open to Ukrainian women who have developed innovative products, services, or business models, as well as inspiring leaders who mentor others in innovation and entrepreneurship. Nominations can be submitted by the individuals themselves or by third parties through an online platform. The selection process involves a comprehensive evaluation based on criteria such as novelty and innovation, willingness to share experience, contribution to the Ukrainian economy, stage of development and scalability, and leadership and influence. Finalists are invited to the EIT Jumpstarter Grand Final event, where they are recognized and have the opportunity to network. Each finalist receives up to 1,000 EUR to cover travel and accommodation costs for the event. The initiative also provides a platform for recognition on a pan-European level and access to the EIT's extensive network of innovators. The EIT Red Kalyna Initiative seeks to empower women in Ukraine, promote their achievements, and contribute to the country's economic development and rebuilding efforts. The application deadline is September 1, 2025, and the Awarding Ceremony is scheduled for November 29, 2025.