EIT HEI Initiative Call for Proposals 2024 is open for applications

We would like to draw your attention to the EIT HEI Initiative Call for Proposals 2024, which is open for applications.

The call has a strong focus on enhancing the quality and competitiveness of European higher education, and will improve research and technology transfer from higher education and support business creation through strengthening collaboration between HEIs and business partners across Europe.

This call aims to fund up to 42 projects, with each selected project having a total duration of 25 months and an overall budget of EUR 1.34 million. The funding will be distributed across two phases:

• Phase 1 (1 April to 31 December 2025): Up to EUR 540,000
• Phase 2 (1 January 2026 to 30 April 2027): Up to EUR 800,000*

*Phase 2 funding is subject to the successful completion of Phase 1 activities and the EIT’s approval of the 2026-2027 Grant Agreement

The call incorporates a two-strand approach, and applicants will need to select one of the following strands:

• Strand A: Innovation and entrepreneurship capacity building at higher education institutions (HEIs)
• Strand B: Innovation and entrepreneurship capacity building at HEIs for the enhancement of Deep Tech

Types of organisations eligible for participation and funding

To be eligible for participation and funding, a participant must be a “legal entity”, and consortium members must be established in one of the Horizon Europe eligible countries. Non-Horizon Europe eligible countries may participate as associated partners, but they are not eligible to receive HEI Initiative funding.

The types of organisations eligible for participation and funding are:

• Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). These are institutions which offer recognised degrees or other tertiary level qualifications and other comparable institutions at tertiary level, if recognised by their national authorities. Each HEI must submit proof of accreditation by the corresponding national authorities to offer recognized degrees
• Businesses/ industry (private; small, medium or large enterprises)
• Research institutes
• Public bodies at local, regional or national level
• Intermediary organisations or associations which represent HEIs
• Social enterprises and NGOs

This call especially invites organisations that have not previously participated in an EIT HEI Initiative selected project to apply. Former EIT HEI Initiative partners are also invited to participate in the call, with a demonstrable added value for the scope and objectives of the project and with a specific role (and set of responsibilities) that utilises their innovation and entrepreneurship expertise developed during their previous EIT HEI Initiative project and their previous experience with the EIT ecosystem.

Consortium criteria

An eligible consortium must have a minimum of five full (funded) partner organisations, and comply with the following criteria:

• Minimum three full partner HEIs, with the following criteria:
  • They are based in three different Horizon Europe eligible countries
  • One of the full partner HEIs must be the Project Coordinator
  • Minimum two HEIs must be ‘new,’ i.e., didn’t participate in a previous EIT HEI Initiative cohort
• Minimum one business/ industry partner (private; small, medium or large enterprise)

There is no maximum number of organisations within an HEI Initiative project consortium

EIT HEI Initiative has launched a networking and matchmaking platform, (hosted on Conversation Starter) which allows organisations to connect with potential partners for joint applications to the call for proposals. The networking platform has been set up for interested applicants to use independently. The EIT HEI Initiative personnel do not facilitate any interactions or meetings on the networking platform.

Create your profile now and let the matchmaking begin!