New: EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative Call for Training Proposals

The EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative is pleased to announce the launch of its Call for Training Proposals  for Organisations to collaboratively create new courses, training and skills development programs to train people in deep tech. Proposals should be aimed at developing tertiary training, with audiences including students and faculty at universities, those seeking vocational training, and professionals looking to develop their skills further.

Through this Call, the Initiative will fund up to 20 projects committed to pioneering the future of deep tech education and skill development across Europe and will distribute a total amount of up to €2 million across the successful proposals.

Since its launch in 2022, the EIT’s flagship programme is working towards its target of one million talents trained in deep tech in Europe by 2025, and has developed its course catalogue, created a community of 130 industry partners and training providers, the Pledgers, to address Europe’s deep tech skills gap. Additionally, it has recently launched its Deep Tech Talent Community, an online space for learners who want to benefit from the initiative’s training in a personalised way.

Who can apply?

The EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative Call for Training Proposals is open to a diverse range of entities, including educational institutions, non-profits, start-ups, and companies, and specifically designed to engage a wide array of organisations committed to pioneering the future of deep technology education and skill development across Europe.

However, proposals must involve a consortium of at least two entities, demonstrating a collaborative approach to deep tech training, and all applicants must have signed the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative Pledge at the time of proposal submission.

What makes a successful proposal?

Successful proposals will demonstrate a forward-thinking vision that contribute to a sustainable, long-term impact in the deep tech ecosystem, along with a history of success in a specific targeted approach to tackling deep tech training challenges and a forward-thinking vision that contributes to sustainable, long-term impact in the deep tech ecosystem.

The targeted approach may address target audiences that are often underrepresented in deep tech fields, e.g., women, people with disadvantaged backgrounds, individuals re-entering the job market, etc., or may address an immediate market or training need that is underdeveloped.

Additionally, training programs developed through this initiative will achieve the following objectives:

• Innovation in Course Development: Design and launch ground-breaking courses that fill critical knowledge gaps in the deep tech sector that foster innovation and expand the breadth of deep tech education.
• Bridging the Deep Tech Skills Gap: Specifically target and mitigate the skills shortages in the following Deep Tech areas:
  • Advanced Computing / Quantum Computing
  • Advanced Materials
  • Artificial Intelligence applied to specific sectors
  • Cybersecurity
  • Robotics
  • Semiconductors (microchips)
  • Clean technologies
  • Immersive technologies
• Enhancing Program Appeal and Reach: Significantly increase the desirability and reputation of deep tech training programs, with a goal of engaging more talents annually to ensure a steady influx of skilled professionals ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities in the deep tech industry.
• Fostering Creativity and Innovation: Support the development of innovative training methodologies that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking among participants, such as incorporating hands-on, real-world trainings and collaborative learning experiences that mirror the dynamic nature of the deep tech sector. Any type of training can be envisaged: online, offline, seminars, master and doctoral programs, workshops, and summer or winter schools.
• Adherence to High Standards: Ensure that all courses uphold the quality and relevance of deep tech training, which includes focusing on one or more deep tech areas, align with Level 3 of the European Qualification Framework as a minimum, recognise the learners’ accomplishments with a verifiable certificate of achievement or qualification.

Key dates and deadlines

EIT Deep Tech Talent Call for Training Proposals publication: 3 April 2024 at 17:00 CEST (Central European Summer Time)

How to apply

Interested organisations are encouraged to read the full Call text and documents available now here.

Applicants must submit the required documents through the online submission platform by the proposed deadline, 17:00 CEST, 20 June 2024. To access the online registration platform, please register first to system.