A pilot award scheme aims to encourage scientific innovation and invention by women in the European Union (EU). The EU Prize for Women Innovators will award €100,000 (US$142,000) for first place, €50,000 for second place and €25,000 for third. Applicants must be EU residents, have founded or co-founded a business before 2009 and have received EU funding. Entries will be judged on scientific merit and economic impact. Applications are open until 20 September. European Commission (EC) spokesman Mark English says that the EC hopes to inspire more women to commercialize their research. In future, the award criteria could change to emphasize research at an earlier stage of commercialization.