Call for Proposals 2025

Use the matchmaking platform to find your consortium partners. Confirm your partners meet the eligibility requirements (see consortium composition criteria – Section 6.1 of the Call text). Involve your institutional leadership early in the process, importantly in the next stage of self-assessment.

Each HEI in your consortium should complete the HEInnovate self-assessment during the submission window (December 2025 – March 2026) to inform your Innovation Vision Action Plan (IVAP). This can be done individually or as a group of HEIs. Join the HEInnovate info session on 18 December to find our how this works.

Your IVAP is your proposal. Use the Part B template linked on this Call page and in the application portal to shape it, using HEInnovate insights to inform your project’s direction.

Ensure each partner is registered and has an active PIC code, which you will need to enter in your application. [Link]

Log in to the EIT HEI Call 2025 Application Portal and start your application for Topic 1 or Topic 2

Fill in key application content, including partner details, upload key supporting application documents, complete KPI tables, and insert your project budget. Follow all prompts and ensure no field is left blank.

Upload your completed Part B template (the IVAP) in the designated tab, upload the budget excel (using the provided template), and for each HEI, upload the signed top management commitment letter, accreditation proof, HEInnovate results, associated partner commitment letters (if you associated partners), and any other required annexes in the correct formats (PDF, Word, Excel).

Review all sections, confirm consistency between Part A and Part B, and check that your selected Topic (1 or 2) is correct. Note that the KPI tab changes in accordance with the Topic selected, so ensure your KPIs reflect those stated in the Call text for your chosen Topic. Consider having a colleague review before submission.

Submit your completed application well before the deadline (4 March 2026, 17:00 CET) to avoid last-minute issues. You will receive a confirmation email upon submission.

Join our community of innovators and change-makers working together to advance higher education innovation across Europe. Connect with peers, share and access practical knowledge, and become part of a trusted network that supports collaboration long after individual projects end.

Selected projects are expected to contribute to the Union of Skills (especially the STEM Education Strategic Plan), accelerate research‑to‑market, and improve conditions for start‑ups and scaleups (e.g., Choose Europe).

For more details, see section 2.1 of the Call text.

Projects are expected to fully integrate the three dimensions of the EIT Knowledge Triangle – education, innovation, and business – to strengthen cooperation between higher education institutions, industry, and other innovation actors. This integration should accelerate the translation of knowledge and research into tangible societal and economic impact and reinforce entrepreneurial mindsets and skills across the participating institutions and their ecosystems at regional and European level while showing a measurable commitment to diversity and inclusion.

For more details, see section 2.2 of the Call text.

Top management must be actively engaged from proposal stage through implementation, embedding innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) in institutional strategies and governance. A signed top‑management commitment letter (template in the Application Portal) is required, listing the participating faculties/departments.

For more details, see section 3.6 of the Call text.

Applications must explain complementarity and avoid duplication with other EU funding (e.g., HORIZON‑WIDERA and Erasmus+ for European Universities). Any duplication which presents a risk against double funding will automatically exclude the proposal from the selection process.

Consortia must follow the Knowledge Triangle model and must be comprised of a minimum of three higher education institutions (HEIs), based in three different Horizon Europe eligible countries, at least one business partner (any size private‑sector enterprise) and at least one other non‑HEI organisation (this can be a second business partner) as full consortium members.

For more details, see section 6 of the Call text.

No. EIT KICs do not participate as partners in proposals. Selected projects are allocated to a participating KIC for project management purposes (contracting, monitoring, support) and will act as intermediary grant authorities during the full life cycle of the funded projects.

For more details, see section 3.3 of the Call text.

Yes. EUAs are encouraged—especially under Topic 2—to establish long‑term strategic cooperation with 2–3 KICs, aligning with KIC priorities where relevant.

Each HEI must provide proof of accreditation by national authorities and a top‑management Commitment Letter listing the engaged faculties/departments (official template available in the portal).

For more details, see section 3.6 of the Call text.

Organisations that have previously participated as full partners in selected EIT HEI projects from Cohorts 1, 2, 3 and 4 are permitted to apply again either as full partners or coordinators. Furthermore, Cohort 1 – 4 EIT HEI partners should assume the role of “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Pioneer” within their consortium and the wider EIT HEI Community. This pioneer role, and the associated activities, must be clearly described and justified throughout the project’s IVAP.

For more details, see section 3.7 of the Call text

Yes. They are encouraged to apply and should act as Innovation & Entrepreneurship Pioneers—mentoring novice partners, transferring proven approaches (especially to STEM under Topic 1) and sharing good practices. For Topic 2 applicants, European University alliance-member organisations with previous experience of the EIT ecosystem are expected to further embed their previous innovation capacity building activities into the wider alliance strategy and portfolio, with particular emphasis on cooperation with the EIT KICs.

For both topic 1 and topic 2, proposals must clearly describe and justify this pioneer role throughout the project´s IVAP.

For more details, see section 3.7 of the Call text.