EIT Launches €70 Million Call to Boost STEM Innovation and Strengthen University Cooperation

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has launched a new call under its Higher Education Initiative (HEI) to boost STEM education, strengthen innovation capacity, and support Europe’s future workforce. 

For the first time, the call will also deepen cooperation between EIT’s Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) and the European Universities alliances.

Largest EIT HEI Call to Date 

The 2025 call aims to reinforce Europe’s innovation and entrepreneurship capacity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), supporting the EU’s Union of Skills and the STEM Education Strategic Plan. The initiative will train 200 000 students, academics and non-academic staff in innovation, entrepreneurship and intellectual property management by 2028. 

With a budget of up to €70 million, and up to €2 million available per project over 24 months (2026–2028), this is the largest call issued under the programme to date. It strengthens innovation and entrepreneurship in STEM fields while inviting the European Universities alliances to collaborate more closely with Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem. 

 Europe’s future depends on people – on the skills, creativity, and resilience of our students, academic staff, and researchers. With this new call, we are investing directly in them, empowering universities to equip the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs with the future-ready skills Europe needs. By advancing our Union of Skills and the EU’s STEM Education Strategic Plan, we are turning Europe’s talent into our greatest strategic advantage.

Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness

Europe’s universities have the potential to be powerful engines of innovation, helping students and researchers turn ideas into ventures that shape our future. Focused on the early stages of the innovation journey, this programme supports them in translating knowledge into real impact. With its strong emphasis on STEM, it contributes to the Startup and Scaleup Strategy and strengthens Europe’s ability to scale breakthrough ideas.

Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation,

Europe’s future competitiveness depends on our ability to turn knowledge into impact. We want to strengthen the bridge between universities, business, and research empowering STEM talent and institutions to translate ideas into new solutions, which lead to new companies and jobs. By investing in skills and partnerships, the EIT is ensuring that Europe remains at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Martin Kern, EIT Director

How to Apply 

Consortia of higher education institutions, businesses, research organisations, public bodies and other non-academic partners are invited to consult the full call text and begin preparing applications. A dedicated matchmaking platform is available to support partner search, and a new interactive guide will help applicants assess their eligibility and readiness. 

Two info sessions in December 2025 and January 2026 will provide practical guidance on the application process, project priorities and collaboration opportunities. You can learn more here.

Applications are open until 4 March 2026 (17:00 CET), with selected projects to be announced later in 2026. 

About the EIT Higher Education Initiative 

The EIT Higher Education Initiative is the only EU programme fully dedicated to driving innovation in higher education. It connects higher education institutions with industry and supports early-stage innovation through talent development, entrepreneurship training and startup support. 

Since 2021, the initiative has supported more than 500 higher education institutions, trained more than 118 000 students and staff, and helped over 2 000 startups and scaleups grow. The initiative is part of the EIT Campus – a coordinated education portfolio designed to train 2.3 million learners by 2028, strengthening Europe’s innovation leadership. 

With this new call, the EIT continues to support higher education institutions in collaborating across borders, fostering talent, and boosting Europe’s long-term innovation capacity. 

Read the press release