Helping industry make an impact
The EIT Higher Education Initiative connects businesses, start-ups and investors with Europe’s top universities. Unlocking the talent and ideas you need to achieve your innovation ambitions – and to grow your organisation. We also provide direct funding to support your projects.
“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
Why partner with us?
Innovation should move at the speed of business. Yet accessing research expertise, talent, and funding can feel complex and costly.
Partnering with the EIT Higher Education Initiative helps your business:
- Access EU-backed funding to support your innovation projects.
- Collaborate with Europe’s leading universities and research teams.
- Collaborate with Europe’s leading universities and research teams.
- Accelerate the journey from concept to market with expert-backed support.
How we support your growth
Whether you’re scaling a start-up, testing new products, or seeking expert collaboration, we can help you achieve your goals.
Funding opportunities
Access EU funding to support innovation projects, technology pilots, and collaborative ventures with HEIs.
Explore funding opportunitiesTalent access
Connect with student and researcher talent to boost your innovation capacity and workforce skills.
Explore talent & trainingInnovation partnerships
Co-develop solutions with universities to solve real-world challenges and bring products to market.
Explore funded projectsMatchmaking & community
Find the right academic and industry partners, join Europe’s innovation community, and scale your networks.
Join the community (Opens in a new tab)
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
Can businesses apply for funding directly?
Yes. Businesses can access EU funding by partnering with universities through funded consortia, supporting your goals while reducing administrative burden.
What kinds of projects are funded?
Higher education institutions across Europe, including universities and research organisations, can apply as lead partners or join consortia for funding calls.
What kinds of projects are funded?
Projects that develop or test innovative solutions across sectors like digital, sustainability, advanced manufacturing, and health tech. Funding supports early-stage pilots, scaling proven ideas, and developing talent pipelines.
How do partnerships with universities work?
We help you find the right university partners aligned with your priorities. Together, you will scope the project, formalise clear IP agreements, and co-develop solutions ready for market.
What about intellectual property (IP)?
IP arrangements are agreed at the start of each project, ensuring your contributions are protected while enabling fair and practical collaboration with your partners.
How much time and resources will this take?
Our approach is designed to make it easy for businesses to engage. You’ll benefit from the expertise and networks of your university partners while focusing your resources where they add most value.
How can my business get started?
You can submit an expression of interest, join a matchmaking event or connect with a funded consortium directly. We’re here to guide you at every step.
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.
