No ordinary initiative
The EIT Higher Education Initiative isn’t just another funding programme. It’s tailor-made for the needs of innovators. And what makes it truly unique, is the international community. Through Europe’s largest innovation community, we connect research with markets, talent with industry, and policy with action. And crucially, we help to deliver the innovation that Europe’s growth depends on.
Why we exist
Europe’s future depends on innovation, and innovation depends on higher education. Backed by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, we fund, train, and connect universities, businesses, and civil society. Working together, they’re tackling Europe’s biggest challenges.
Turning collaboration into action
Innovation needs more than funding. We bring together universities, industry, and governments to move ideas from research labs into the real world, align projects with Europe’s priorities, and ensure that innovation can scale and thrive.
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Institutional change
Strengthening leadership and systems within higher education to embed a culture of innovation.
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Partnerships
Connecting HEIs, businesses, and policymakers to collaborate on shared challenges.
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Startup & innovation support
Helping research teams and entrepreneurs turn ideas into thriving ventures and market-ready innovations.
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Green & digital transitions
Accelerating solutions that advance sustainability and Europe’s digital transformation.
The story so far
Since 2021, the EIT Higher Education Initiative has supported more than 700 institutions
700+ institutions
involved
We’re empowering institutions to innovate, collaborate, and strengthen Europe’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
1,000+
partnerships enabled
We’re bringing together partners across sectors to spark collaboration, drive innovation, and deliver real-world impact.
2,000+ start-ups and
scale-ups supported
We are supporting organisations to launch, scale, and sustain.
118,000+
students and staff trained
We’re equipping students, researchers, and staff with the skills they need to spearhead real change and entrepreneurial growth.
Empowering those who shape Europe’s future
Innovation is a team effort. By supporting higher education, industry, and government, we create the conditions for ideas to scale, ensuring Europe remains competitive, sustainable, and ready for the challenges ahead.
Rocket fuel for innovation
We help universities and researchers to strengthen their innovation capability, launch ventures, and build entrepreneurial skills within their institutions.
Whether accessing funding or forming impactful collaborations, we’re here to help you innovate, scale up and grow.
We’re ready when you are
Find out how you can access expert support and tailored funding.
It’s all about who you work with
We help start-ups, scale-ups, and established businesses partner with Europe’s top universities to bring innovations to market.
Whether you need funding or collaboration opportunities, we can help you accelerate your projects.
Get a little help to build your next big thing
Connect with Europe’s top universities, access talent, and find the right support.
We help Europe to meet their innovation goals
We help policymakers and governments align local and national priorities with EU goals, while supporting universities to drive regional innovation.
Explore how we can help you translate policy into real-world impact.
Experience the power of collaboration
Access insights, events, and peer support across Europe’s innovation ecosystem.
The secrets of success
To make real, sustainable change you need the right guide. One that introduces you to the right contacts, and shares words of wisdom when you can’t see a way through. We provide the ongoing support that makes innovation work.
We foster leadership support and institutional change
We rally support from decision makers at the highest levels.
We strengthen partnerships between industry and education
We forge networks between academia, industry and research, because collaboration is the real multiplier.
We support industry innovation and business generation
Underfunded? Lack of legal knowhow? We help institutions to build their innovation capabilities, whatever the obstacles in their way.
We embed entrepreneurship
To prepare for the marketplace, education must be entrepreneurial by design. We equip organisations with the start-up culture they need to get on the right track.
We share knowledge and success
We promote expertise and success stories so that everyone can learn and grow faster.
And we spread the word, so that policymakers can see the vital role higher education plays in Europe’s innovation.
If you like the funding, you’ll love the community
We offer mentoring, tools and collaboration opportunities to accelerate your innovation and strengthen entrepreneurship.
Success stories from across Europe
See how teams are creating deep tech breakthroughs, building cross-border partnerships, and driving institutional change.
SMART4FUTURE: bridging academia and entrepreneurship
Explore the project activities spearheaded by Maja Brkljačić, Head of the research institute Algebra LAB at Algebra University in Zagreb, within the SMART4FUTURE project.
DISCO: Uniting universities and enterprises for sustainable innovation
In this interview, Monitoring and Evaluation Expert Dr Marek Oramus highlights the impact of DISCO, an innovative project fostering collaboration between education, businesses and civil society.
OASIS and PROMETHEUS: empowering student innovation through joint technology transfer initiatives
Discover how the OASIS and PROMETHEUS projects led to the creation of a joint technology transfer office, the outcomes of their collaboration, and the challenges they successfully navigated
SMILE: Supporting start-ups and scale-ups in smart manufacturing
Learn more about how the SMILE project fosters innovation in smart manufacturing through international collaboration
DETECT! project: connecting deep technologies and entrepreneurship as a driver of institutional change
Learn about the DETECT! project’s transformative goals and the challenges of bringing creative learning to highly technical fields.
EIT Higher Education Initiative’s successful Pilot Phase conclusion event fosters innovation and entrepreneurship in European higher education, emphasising collaboration and deep tech
The event celebrated the initiative’s journey, showcasing the transformative impact of innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education.
ILCA: driving innovation and climate action in Ukraine
Anton Tkachenko discusses the development of the Ukrainian Innovation Laboratory for Climate Actions (ILCA), a project aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable practices.
Network IQ Alliance: developing networking competencies for innovation and entrepreneurship
From forging global partnerships to fostering entrepreneurial skills, discover how the Network IQ Alliance is shaping the future of innovation and entrepreneurship across borders.
VIADUCT: fostering spin-offs through inter-regional collaboration and innovation
Read an inspiring interview with Cristina Ruiz García on VIADUCT, a project helping drive technology transfer and commercialisation by valorising public research and helping universities collaborate.
Ready to reach out?
Whether you’re leading a university, growing a start-up, or shaping Europe’s future, find out how we can support you.