The #Her_Research program returns with its 4th cycle, aiming to empower women in research and create value in this sector. To mark International Women’s Day, the Hellenic Association of Women Entrepreneurs (SEGE) announces the launch of the 4th cycle of the #Her_Research program for 2026, an ecosystem that transforms women’s research and scientific thinking into sustainable business models and innovative products for the market.
Read: FCEM 2025: Athens at the center of global women’s entrepreneurship
After 2025, a landmark year during which SEGE successfully organized its Global FCEM Congress, the Association returns dynamically to the core of its mission: the substantial empowerment of women and connecting knowledge with sustainable development. The 4th cycle of #Her_Research marks the continuation of an initiative that has already left a strong footprint in the country’s research and innovation ecosystem and which had the support of 17 university institutions.
The #Her_Research program focuses on removing the longstanding barriers that limit women’s presence in applied research. Despite their scientific competence, many female researchers lack the necessary connections to investment capital and the mentoring required to bring knowledge from the laboratory to society as applicable innovation or business activity. The result is the loss of valuable high-added-value ideas and the incomplete utilization of research potential that could contribute decisively to social and economic development.
Responding to this challenge, #Her_Research is not a fragmented initiative, but a comprehensive and structured program lasting 8-10 months, with clear implementation stages and measurable impact. Through open calls for participation, educational seminars and bootcamps, evaluation by an academic scientific committee and targeted guidance, the initiative creates a supportive environment where research is transformed into innovation, with real and measurable application prospects.
The trajectory of previous cycles confirms the initiative’s momentum. From the first cycle in 2021, which supported 25 applications, 18 female researchers and one winner, the second cycle in 2023 with more than 58 applications, 42 participants and 8 winning research teams, it reached the third cycle in 2024 with 120 applications and 80 teams receiving substantial support. #Her_Research is steadily evolving into a powerful platform connecting academic research with the business ecosystem.
The 4th cycle for 2026 aims to expand this footprint even further, enhancing participants’ funding readiness, offering specialized guidance and creating collaboration bridges with the market. At the same time, it extends an open invitation to companies and organizations that wish to invest substantially in innovation, diversity and sustainable development, strengthening their social and ESG footprint through a reliable and developmental initiative.
“Investment in women scientists and researchers is an investment not simply in jobs, but in added value for the national economy”
SEGE President Lina Tsaltambasi, speaking from the UN Global Conference on Equality (CSW 70) in New York, emphasizes: “Investment in women scientists and researchers is an investment not simply in jobs, but in added value for the national economy and in highlighting women as pillars of progress, innovation and prosperity.
More information about the open call and the specific stages of the 4th cycle will be announced soon.
