Turning European policy into European practice
The EIT Higher Education Initiative helps governments and policymakers by ensuring practical, on-the-ground projects achieve policy goals and drive systemic, social change.
“The agile EIT HEI Initiative team and RiEcoLab allow us to implement institutional change and build innovation capacity, while positioning our HEIs as ecosystem integration labs for spin-offs, start-ups and scale-ups.”
Coordinator, RiEcoLab project
Mission possible
Policymakers and governments play a critical role in shaping Europe’s future. But advancing national and regional innovation can be challenging.
We can help in a number of ways:
- Aligning local action with EU green, digital, and competitiveness priorities.
- Building innovation capacity within higher education systems.
- Ensuring policies translate into practical, measurable outcomes.
How we support governments and policymakers
Together, we can strengthen Europe’s innovation ecosystem while meeting your regional and national goals.
Align with EU priorities
Support national and regional initiatives aligned with the EU Green Deal, Digital Europe, and competitiveness objectives.
Explore our impact areasStrengthen higher education systems
Help universities become drivers of regional innovation, supporting skills development and entrepreneurship.
Explore HEI partnershipsEnable practical impact
Facilitate projects that translate policy into measurable, real-world outcomes across regions.
Explore funded projectsJoin a Europe-wide innovation community
Connect with HEIs, industry, and other policymakers to share insights and scale best practices.
Join the community (Opens in a new tab)Find projects that inspire you
IMPACTWHEEL
IMPACTWHEEL elevates the innovation and entrepreneurial potential of higher education institutions by embedding co-created training, institutional transformation strategies, and cross-sector collaboration in the areas of digital manufacturing and healthcare. Leveraging…
TECHSIGHT
The TECHSIGHT proposal is a strategic foresight and innovation initiative aimed at positioning European Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) at the forefront of sustainable and inclusive deep tech development.
TROPHY
The project transforms higher education institutions (HEIs) into leaders of Web 4.0 innovation, equipping students with advanced technical and entrepreneurial skills while fostering academia-industry collaboration.
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What’s new in our network
Discover the latest insights, programme updates, and upcoming events across the community.
The 2025 Call for proposals is now open
Next gen AI? Sustainability breakthrough?
Apply by 04 March 2026 for funding to make your vision the world’s reality.
Backing bold ideas with real results
Across our impact areas, we are seeing measurable change:
700+ institutions
involved
We help higher education leaders embed innovation at the heart of their institutions.
€69M
awarded
Awarded to support 359 HEIs and 380+ non-academic organisations.
1700+ start-ups
supported
We support organisations to launch, scale and sustain their ventures.
90,000+ people
trained
Trained students, academic and non-academic staff on innovation and entrepreneurship.
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.
Frequently asked questions
How does this align with EU policy goals?
The EIT Higher Education Initiative supports the EU Green Deal, Digital Europe, and competitiveness objectives, helping you translate policy into action.
Can governments participate directly in projects?
Yes. Public bodies can join as partners within consortia, supporting projects aligned with policy goals.
How are projects selected and evaluated?
Proposals are evaluated on alignment with EU priorities, potential for systemic change, and measurable outcomes.
How can we get involved?
You can attend an info session, join our community, or connect with a funded project in your region.
Not sure where to start?
Exploring funding, partnerships, or new opportunities can feel overwhelming. Our interactive guide will help you find the best pathway based on your goals, whether you’re looking to launch a project, build partnerships, or explore funding.
Policy goals to meet?
Let’s work together to turn policy into practical, measurable outcomes for Europe’s future.