[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

March 4, 2026

€70,000,000 total available; project duration 24 months

Supports European higher education institutions in building innovation and entrepreneurship capacity through collaboration and systemic change.

--- ## Description The EIT Higher Education Initiative Call 2025 is designed to strengthen the role of European higher education institutions (HEIs) within innovation ecosystems. The program aims to enhance innovation and entrepreneurship capacities in HEIs, promote collaboration between education, research, and business sectors, and drive systemic change to address global challenges. Projects should foster advanced skills and employability for students, encourage inclusive innovation communities, and support the transition of academic innovations to market-ready solutions. The initiative also seeks to build synergies between EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) and European Universities alliances, ultimately boosting Europe’s competitiveness, resilience, and strategic autonomy. --- ## Due Dates - March 4, 2026: Full application submission deadline (17:00 Brussels time) --- ## Funding Amount - Total funding available: €70,000,000 - Expected project duration: 24 months --- ## Eligibility - Open to European higher education institutions (HEIs). - Projects must align with one of two topics: - STEM capacity building - Building synergies between EIT KICs and European University alliances - Proposals should demonstrate complementarity with other EU-funded initiatives and avoid duplication or double funding. - Consortia are encouraged and should include partners from education, research, and business sectors. --- ## Application Process - Proposals must be submitted through the official EIT HEI application portal: [EIT HEI Application Portal](https://seedbook.eitrawmaterials.eu/AddHeiInitiativeProject.aspx?CallId=58006) - The application consists of two parts: - Part A: Technical Information (completed online) - Part B: Narrative Content (using a template, uploaded online) - Detailed instructions are available in the [Call for Proposals 2025 document](https://eit-hei.eu/calls/call-for-proposals-2025/). - Proposals undergo a single-stage submission and evaluation process. - Eligibility and admissibility checks are followed by evaluation by independent experts and final selection by the EIT HEI Selection Committee. --- ## Additional Information - Projects must avoid duplication with other EU-funded activities, especially those under the European Excellence Initiative or Erasmus+. - Proposals at risk of double funding will be excluded from selection. - The initiative follows a two-topic approach: STEM capacity building and building synergies with KICs and university alliances. --- ## External Links - [Call details and application portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/competitive-calls-cs/12604?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=12&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [EIT HEI Initiative main website](https://eit-hei.eu/) - [Call for Proposals 2025 documentation](https://eit-hei.eu/calls/call-for-proposals-2025/) - [European Commission Funder Page](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Phone | +32 2 299 11 11 | ---

EIT Higher Education Initiative Call for Proposals 2025 - European Commission

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