We make universities unstoppable
We work with higher education institutions across Europe to embed innovation, build entrepreneurial cultures, and turn research into outcomes that matter. Don’t let innovation be an uphill battle. Find out how we can help.
“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
Your progress, is Europe
Universities can be the engines of Europe’s innovation ecosystem. By partnering with us, you can accelerate your innovation, and achieve your goals more quickly.
How we support your institution
Whether you want to launch new initiatives, build networks, or prepare your students and staff for Europe’s future, the EIT Higher Education Initiative offers the funding, guidance, and community to help you succeed.
Funding
Access dedicated EU funding tailored for higher education innovation, supporting projects that build entrepreneurial capacity, foster partnerships, and drive systemic change.
Explore funding opportunities
Mentoring and expert support
Connect with partners across Europe to co-create impactful projects.
Explore mentoring supportTraining and events
Join workshops and training sessions. Build your institution’s skills in entrepreneurship, innovation management, and partnership development.
Explore training eventsMatchmaking and collaboration tools
Find and connect with the right partners across Europe to co-create impactful projects and build strong consortia for your proposals.
Explore matchmaking servicesOnline community
Join a Europe-wide innovation community where you can share best practices, learn from peers, and stay connected with the latest developments.
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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
Who can apply for funding?
Higher education institutions across Europe, including universities and research organisations, can apply as lead partners or join consortia for funding Calls.
What types of projects are eligible?
Projects that build your institution’s innovation capacity, strengthen entrepreneurship education, support start-up creation, or develop partnerships with industry and policymakers.
How much funding is available?
Funding levels vary by Call, but the EIT Higher Education Initiative has awarded projects up to €1.2 million, supporting activities aligned with Europe’s green, digital, and competitiveness goals.
What support will we receive during the application process?
We offer mentoring, resources and guidance to help you develop your innovation action plan, prepare your proposal and build strong project partnerships.
How are projects evaluated?
Proposals are assessed based on alignment with impact areas, potential for institutional change, collaboration plans and expected outcomes for Europe’s innovation ecosystem.
How much time will this take for our teams?
We understand institutional capacity is limited. Our approach is flexible, allowing you to align projects with your existing strategies while leveraging funding and expert support.
How can our university get started?
You can explore upcoming funding Calls, connect with our team or join an information session to learn how your institution can benefit.
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.