The EIT Higher Education Initiative (EIT HEI) Call for Proposals 2026 will support higher education institutions and their innovation ecosystem partners in strengthening the capacity to transform STEM talent, research and knowledge into deep-tech and manufacturing innovation and entrepreneurship.
The call focuses on strengthening HEIs as drivers of innovation by improving entrepreneurship and intellectual property capabilities, knowledge valorisation and technology transfer, and collaboration with industry and wider European innovation ecosystems.
The Call is planned to launch in Q4 2026, with final details to be confirmed upon official launch.
Funding Available
Up to €1.25 million per project
Project duration: 18 months
Purpose and Objectives
Projects must address all three of the following areas:
1. STEM Talent for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Developing innovation, entrepreneurship and intellectual property capabilities among students, academics and HEI staff in relevant STEM fields.
Activities may support opportunity identification, idea development and validation, IP management, industry collaboration, research partnerships and the creation of products, services, processes, start-ups and spin-offs.
2. Institutional Capacity for Knowledge Valorisation and Innovation
Strengthening the structures, processes and leadership needed to support innovation and entrepreneurship within HEIs, including:
- Knowledge valorisation and technology transfer
- Intellectual property management
- Commercialisation and market uptake
- Start-up and spin-off creation
- Stronger links between education, research and innovation
3. Integration into Innovation Ecosystems
Building stronger connections between HEIs, research organisations, industry, investors, EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, and regional and European innovation ecosystems.
Projects should help HEIs access expertise, infrastructure, networks, investment opportunities and real-world challenges that can support the development and scaling of innovative ideas.
Eligible Organisation Types
The consortium may include:
- Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
- Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers
- Research institutes and organisations
- Knowledge Transfer Offices (KTOs)
- Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs)
- Small, medium-sized and large businesses
- Start-ups
- Industry associations and networks
- Social enterprises
- Public bodies at local, regional and national level
- Intermediary organisations representing HEIs
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
Consortium Requirements
Applications must be submitted by a consortium of at least five funded partners, including:
- At least three Higher Education Institutions from three different Horizon Europe eligible countries
- At least one HEI established in an EU Member State
- Each participating HEI must involve at least two faculties, departments, units or equivalent
- At least two industry partners and/or industry representative organisations
- At least one industry partner is encouraged to be active in manufacturing or industrial technologies
An organisation may participate as a funded beneficiary in only one application under the EIT HEI Call 2026.
Organisations funded under the EIT HEI Call 2025 are not eligible to apply as funded beneficiaries, although they may participate as non-funded associated partners.
Strategic Focus Areas
The call places particular emphasis on:
- Deep-tech innovation
- Manufacturing innovation
- Advanced manufacturing
- Strategic industrial technologies
- STEM entrepreneurship
- Technology transfer and commercialisation
- Intellectual property and knowledge valorisation
- Start-up and spin-off development
- Industry-academia collaboration
- Innovation ecosystem integration
STEM Fields
For this call, STEM broadly covers:
- Natural sciences, mathematics and statistics
- Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
- Engineering, manufacturing and construction
- Related interdisciplinary fields and studies
Geographic Scope
Horizon Europe eligible countries, with consortium requirements requiring participation from at least three different eligible countries and at least one HEI established in an EU Member State.
Important Dates
Call launch: Q4 2026
Application deadline: To be announced
Project start: To be announced
Project duration: 18 months
Important Applicant Information
This is currently a pre-announcement, and the final Call for Proposals will confirm the definitive eligibility requirements, topics, funding conditions and submission deadline.
Organisations are encouraged to begin consortium building and partner identification ahead of the official launch.
Click HERE to visit the official website.
Click HERE to register.