The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has opened a €40 million call for proposals under the EIT Higher Education Initiative. The call aims to strengthen the capacity of universities and other higher education institutions (HEIs) to turn their research into innovations in manufacturing and deep tech. The EIT announced the call in Budapest on 20 October 2026.
According to the EIT, the call is intended to help beneficiaries develop innovation and entrepreneurship skills, improve technology transfer services and build closer links between universities and business.
Funding of up to €1.25 million per project
The 2026 call will provide up to €1.25 million for each selected project over 18 months, from a total EIT budget of €40 million. It is open to consortia of HEIs, businesses, research organisations, public bodies and other innovation partners.
The EIT said the activity is aligned with EU initiatives including the Union of Skills, the STEM Education Strategic Plan, the Competitiveness Compass and the Clean Industrial Deal.
Skills, technology transfer and industry links
Selected projects will develop innovation and entrepreneurship skills among students and staff in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and related fields most relevant to manufacturing and deep tech. Among other activities, they will work on knowledge sharing, technology transfer and intellectual property management within HEIs.
The projects are also expected to help institutions build stronger links with industry, investors and innovation networks, with support from the EIT’s Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). Climate Global News has previously reported on the EIT’s €2 million STEM talent call for training projects.
Martin Kern, Director of the EIT, said: ‘Turning a research breakthrough into a successful business takes skills, confidence and targeted support. This call will help students, researchers, and university staff to take that step. By bringing new technologies from the lab to the market with a focus on advanced manufacturing and deep tech, we support higher education institutions to play a stronger role in Europe’s innovation future and competitiveness.’
Who can apply to the EIT Higher Education Initiative call
Each consortium must include at least five funded partners. These must comprise at least three HEIs from three different Horizon Europe-eligible countries, including at least one EU Member State, and at least two business or industry partners or industry representative organisations, such as SMEs, startups, larger enterprises or industry associations.
The EIT said industry partners working in manufacturing or deep-tech technologies are strongly encouraged to join a consortium. Organisations funded under the 2025 call are not eligible for the 2026 call, and each organisation may take part as a funded beneficiary in only one application.
Applicants can consult the full call text and use a matchmaking platform to find potential partners. The deadline for applications is 13 January 2027 at 17:00 CET, and selected projects will be announced later in 2027.
Results from previous rounds
The initiative is coordinated by EIT RawMaterials and is designed to connect HEIs with business and industry from the earliest stages of the innovation lifecycle. The EIT is an EU body and part of Horizon Europe, the EU’s framework programme for research and innovation.
Since its launch in 2021, the EIT said, the initiative has supported more than 500 HEIs across Europe and beyond and trained more than 150,000 students and staff in innovation and entrepreneurship. Funded projects have established more than 1,300 new partnerships beyond their consortia, helped create over 207 startups, brought 25 innovations to market and helped startups attract more than €18.1 million in investment.
Natalie Walsh, Project Coordinator at Idea to Impact (i2i), a beneficiary of a previous call, said: ‘The EIT HEI Initiative has connected partners and projects at a deeper level through in-person meetings and trainings – something you don’t always get from EU funding. The initiative has created a real community of practitioners, educators and experts and empowered them to create more opportunities to support our students, staff and ecosystems to develop and grow.’
Frequently asked questions
How much funding is available in the EIT Higher Education Initiative 2026 call?
The call has a total EIT budget of €40 million. Each selected project can receive up to €1.25 million over 18 months.
Who can apply to the EIT Higher Education Initiative 2026 call?
Consortia of higher education institutions, businesses, research organisations, public bodies and other innovation partners can apply. Each consortium needs at least three HEIs from three different Horizon Europe-eligible countries, including at least one EU Member State, and at least two business or industry partners.
What is the deadline for the EIT Higher Education Initiative call?
Applications must be submitted by 13 January 2027 at 17:00 CET. Selected projects will be announced later in 2027.
Can organisations funded in 2025 apply again?
No. Organisations funded under the EIT Higher Education Initiative Call 2025 are not eligible for the 2026 call, and each organisation may be a funded beneficiary in only one 2026 application.
What has the EIT Higher Education Initiative achieved so far?
Since 2021 it has supported more than 500 higher education institutions and trained more than 150,000 students and staff, according to the EIT. Funded projects have helped create over 207 startups and bring 25 innovations to market.
