The EIT Higher Education Initiative has launched its Call for Proposals 2025, inviting applications for projects designed to enhance the innovation and entrepreneurship capacity within Europe's higher education institutions. With funding of up to €2 million available per project, this initiative aims to support universities and their partners in developing entrepreneurial skills, establishing new innovation frameworks, and fostering strategic collaborations with industry and the broader community.
Program Overview
• What: Funding for projects to build innovation and entrepreneurship capacity in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
• Who: Consortia led by HEIs in partnership with business, research, and public sector organizations.
• Funding: Up to €2 million per project, delivered over a 2-year period.
• Project Duration: 24 months.
• Call Launch: 3 December 2025.
• Submission Deadline: 4 March 2026, 17:00 CET.
Funding and Scope
• Developing and implementing innovation action plans.
• Designing and delivering entrepreneurship programs.
• Providing training and mentoring.
• Establishing new innovation structures.
• Building partnerships and ecosystems.
• Supporting technology transfer and startups.
• High-Level Scope: Projects must integrate the three dimensions of the EIT Knowledge Triangle (education, innovation, business) to strengthen cooperation between HEIs, industry, and other innovation actors, accelerating the translation of knowledge into societal and economic impact.
Eligibility and Consortium Requirements
• Lead Partner: Applications must be submitted by a consortium led by a higher education institution.
• Eligible Partners: HEIs, Businesses (SMEs, corporates, investors), Research organisations, TTOs and KTOs, Public bodies and networks, Intermediary organisations, and Social enterprises and NGOs.
• Consortium Composition: Must have at least 5 partner organisations from Horizon Europe-eligible countries, including at least 3 HEIs from 3 different eligible countries, at least 1 business partner, and at least 1 other non-HEI partner.
• Topic 2 Specifics: For Topic 2, all 3 HEIs must be members of the same European Universities alliance established under the European Universities Initiative, or were members after 1 January 2019.
• Institutional Engagement: Top management from participating HEIs must be actively engaged, and a signed top-management commitment letter is required with the application.
• Previous Participants: Organisations from Cohorts 1, 2, 3, and 4 are permitted to apply again and are expected to assume the role of “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Pioneer” within their consortium.
Application Topics
• Topic 1: Boosting the innovation and entrepreneurship capacity of Europe’s STEM talent pipeline.
• Topic 2: Strengthening synergies across the European higher education and innovation area, specifically between the EIT ecosystem and the European Universities alliances.
Application Process
• Step 1: Read the call documentation, including the full Call Text, to understand all legal requirements, eligibility, and evaluation criteria.
• Step 2: Form your consortium using resources like the matchmaking platform and confirm all partners meet eligibility requirements.
• Step 3: Each HEI in the consortium must complete the HEInnovate self-assessment to inform the Innovation Vision Action Plan (IVAP).
• Step 4: Draft your IVAP (your proposal) using the provided Part B template.
• Step 5: Ensure each partner is registered in the EU Participant Portal and has an active PIC code.
• Step 6: Access the EIT HEI Call 2025 Application Portal to begin your application for either Topic 1 or Topic 2.
• Step 7: Complete Part A in the portal, which includes online forms for partner details, KPIs, and the project budget.
• Step 8: Upload your completed Part B (IVAP), the budget template, and all required supporting documents for each partner.
• Step 9: Conduct a final quality check to ensure consistency and correctness across all parts of the application.
• Step 10: Submit the completed application well before the deadline of 4 March 2026, 17:00 CET.
Post-Submission Process
Following the submission deadline, proposals will undergo an admissibility check and an eligibility check. Validated proposals will proceed to an external evaluation. Results are scheduled to be announced in July 2026. Selected projects will receive an evaluation report and instructions for project launch, while non-selected applicants will also receive their evaluation report as feedback.
Key Resources and Support
• Downloads: Access the Full Call Text, Part B templates for Topic 1 and Topic 2, a budget template, and KIC synergy overview documents.
• Tools & Links: Utilize the Application Portal, an interactive application guide, a detailed FAQ section, and a networking and matchmaking platform to find partners.
• Info Sessions: Recordings and slides are available for past sessions covering topics such as the call overview, HEInnovate, European Universities alliances participation, the MEL framework, KPI expectations, application and budget planning, and an open Q&A.
This initiative presents a significant opportunity for higher education institutions and their partners to drive innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. Interested parties are encouraged to review the detailed call documentation and utilize the extensive support resources to prepare a comprehensive and impactful proposal. By participating, institutions can join a dynamic community of innovators dedicated to shaping the future of higher education.