Ingenias LATAM Award: An EU-Latin American partnership to recognise women innovators
The Ingenias LATAM Award is an initiative of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in the framework of the European Union (EU) funded project AL-INVEST Verde Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Its main objective is to highlight the talent of innovative women in Latin America and to give visibility to their creations and inventions at the international level.
In its first edition, the award will be hosted by the National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI) of Chile, globally recognised for its commitment to inclusion in the intellectual property (IP) system and with a long history of actions to improve gender equality in IP through special committees and studies. This year, the focus will be on women inventors, in order to recognise and celebrate their contributions to innovation.
The initiative is aligned with the strategic objectives of the EU, the EUIPO (SP2030) and INAPI to address gender disparities in IP systems and has the support and participation of the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) of Brazil, the National Directorate of Intellectual Property (DINAPI) of Paraguay, and the National Directorate of Industrial Property (DNPI) of Uruguay.
The context of the award
Women's participation in intellectual property (IP) and innovation systems remains considerably lower than that of men, a reality that persists globally. Recent data reflect the extent of the gender gap in this area: the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) estimated in 2023 that only 17.7% of inventors named in international patent applications were women. In Europe, women accounted for only 24% of designs registered with the EUIPO in 2022, and just 13% of those applying for patents in 2019 with the European Patent Office (EPO) were female inventors.
Similarly in Latin America, there are studies that show the low participation of women in the patent system. In Chile, for example, only 18% of patent applications include women. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) also highlights the obstacles women face in terms of access to funding, support networks and opportunities in the science and technology sectors.
The objective of the Award
To address this disparity, it is essential to promote initiatives that foster innovation and IP ecosystems that work for all. Not only to ensure equal opportunities, but also to fully harness the potential economic contribution of the ideas, creativity and innovation of half of the world's population. Visibility and awareness raising activities play a key role in inspiring and empowering more women to participate in these fields. It is in this context that EUIPO, in the framework of the AL-INVEST Verde IPR project, launches the first edition of the Ingenias LATAM Award.
Participation, selection and awards
The competition is open to female inventors who are citizens or residents of Brazil, Chile, Paraguay or Uruguay, and who hold one or more patents or utility models registered and in force before the national IP bodies of the country of which the candidate is a national or resident (INPI, INAPI, DINAPI or DNPI). The entry period for the prize competition will be from 1 April to 1 May 2025.
The awards' selection criteria include assessing the inventions positive impact on society, environmental sustainability, and international reach, considering its benefits to communities, the environment, and global applicability. The winners will be selected by an 8-member jury, composed of one representative of the IP offices and one representative of the private sector active in the innovation sector from each of the four participating countries. One winner will be selected from each of the participating countries.
The prize will consist in being able to attend the award ceremony in Santiago de Chile on 4 September 2025 (travel and accommodation expenses covered), an international platform dedicated to innovation, where the winners will be able to present and make their invention visible. In addition, they will receive the production of a mini-documentary highlighting the story and creation of each winning inventor.
With this initiative, EUIPO, INAPI, INPI, DINAPI and DNPI reinforce their commitment to a more equitable and inclusive IP ecosystem, where the ideas and creativity of women innovators have the space for a recognition they deserve. Forming a strategic alliance that sends a clear and strong regional message to close the gender gap in IP.
For more information on the award, eligibility criteria and how to participate, please visit the: