EIT and EUIPO Advance Cooperation to Strengthen Innovation Through Intellectual Property

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) are strengthening their collaboration to support Europe’s innovators in protecting and leveraging intellectual property (IP). The partners have agreed on a 2026 Annual Work Plan, building on strong results achieved last year. 

New Work Plan Agreed for 2026 

Building on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in April 2025, the EIT and EUIPO have agreed on the 2026 Annual Work Plan, which outlines a series of joint activities designed to expand IP awareness, training and support for Europe’s innovation ecosystem.  

The partnership focuses on equipping entrepreneurs, startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and students with the knowledge and skills needed to manage and protect intellectual assets. Through joint training, events and other activities, the EIT and EUIPO aim to strengthen Europe’s innovation capacity and support the creation and scaling of innovative businesses. The collaboration will also include communication and outreach initiatives to raise awareness of IP among SMEs, innovators and the wider EIT Community. 

Supporting Innovators, Entrepreneurs and Students 

The 2026 work plan also includes a range of initiatives targeting different communities across the EIT ecosystem. These include IP training for SMEs and startups participating in programmes such as EIT Jumpstarter, as well as dedicated sessions for women entrepreneurs and young innovators. Activities will also support the EIT youth education community and initiatives promoting STEM skills and innovation education. These initiatives help innovators better use IP to protect and grow their ideas. 

Building on Strong Results in 2025 

The 2026 work plan builds on the strong results of 2025. Over the past year, the collaboration delivered 54 joint activities, including 13 joint events and 8 IP training sessions, reaching more than 3 100 direct participants across the EIT Community and beyond. 

These included IP training for initiatives such as Girls Go Circular and EIT Jumpstarter, as well as engagement with women entrepreneurs and innovation stakeholders across Europe. The cooperation also included the first EIT–EUIPO staff exchange and joint participation in events, such as EIT participation in the EUIPO’s DesignEuropa Awards jury and EUIPO participation in the EIT Education & Skills Days. 

The continued collaboration between the EIT and EUIPO highlights the importance of partnerships in advancing Europe’s innovation agenda.