The EIT Higher Education Initiative will launch its new Call for Proposals in Q4 2026 to support higher education institutions in strengthening their capacity to turn STEM talent, knowledge and research into deep tech and manufacturing innovation and entrepreneurship, while contributing to European competitiveness.
The Call contributes to the objectives of the Union of Skills and its STEM Education Strategic Plan, the Competitiveness Compass, and the Clean Industrial Deal.
It responds to the growing need for HEIs to
- develop innovation, entrepreneurship and intellectual property (IP) capabilities particularly across STEM fields;
- improve knowledge valorisation and technology transfer, and
- deepen collaboration with industry, and regional and European innovation ecosystems.
The focus is on strengthening the capacity of the HEIs to transform STEM talent, research and knowledge into real-world innovation and entrepreneurship.
Projects should contribute to strengthening HEIs as drivers of deep-tech innovation, with a strong focus on manufacturing capacity and strategic technologies that enable industrial applications.
EIT HEI has launched a networking and matchmaking platform, that allows organisations to connect with potential partners for joint applications to the call for proposals.
Funding & Duration
Per-project budget 1.25 million EUR
Project duration: 18 months