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

September 1, 2025 (17:00 Brussels time)

Total pool: €90,000; financial prizes for top three solver teams in each category

Competition connecting companies and student teams to collaboratively solve real-world manufacturing challenges and foster academia-industry partnerships in Europe.

--- ## Description The Teaching Factories Competition 2025, organized by EIT Manufacturing and supported by the European Commission, is a Europe-wide initiative that brings together companies and student teams from higher education and vocational education and training (VET) to address real industrial challenges. Companies propose manufacturing-related challenges, and student teams (4–6 members) form to develop innovative solutions over a three-month competition period. The program includes coaching and training for solver teams and culminates in an online pitch session, with financial prizes awarded to the top teams. The competition aims to stimulate practical innovation, drive knowledge exchange, and strengthen the links between academia and industry within the European manufacturing ecosystem. --- ## Due Dates - Opening date: December 15, 2024 - Application deadline: September 1, 2025 (17:00 Brussels time) --- ## Funding Amount - Total funding available: €90,000 - Financial prizes awarded to the top three solver teams in each category (Higher Education and VET) - Additional benefits: Challenge owners receive courtesy tickets to EIT Manufacturing networking events and/or access to online training --- ## Eligibility - **Companies:** European manufacturing companies interested in proposing relevant industrial challenges. - **Solver Teams:** - Students from higher education institutions or vocational education and training (VET) backgrounds in Europe. - Teams should consist of 4–6 members. - Both companies and solver teams must meet eligibility criteria as outlined in the official call guidelines. --- ## Application Process - **Companies:** Submit industrial challenges for consideration. Challenges are assessed for eligibility and alignment with competition objectives. - **Solver Teams:** - Review the catalogue of selected challenges. - Apply to one or more challenges (one application per challenge). - Applications are evaluated by EIT Manufacturing experts and independent external reviewers. - Up to four solver teams may be selected per challenge. - **Competition Phase:** Selected solver teams implement their solutions. Finalists present in an online pitch session evaluated by a jury of external experts. For detailed instructions and to submit applications, visit the [official call overview page](https://www.eitmanufacturing.eu/calls/teaching-factories-competition-2025-call-overview/). --- ## Additional Information - The competition lasts approximately three months and includes coaching and training sessions for solver teams. - Both higher education and VET student teams compete in separate categories. - Winners receive financial prizes and visibility within the EIT Manufacturing network. - Representatives of challenge-owning companies receive additional networking and training opportunities. --- ## External Links - [Competition Call Details & Submission Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/competitive-calls-cs/8624?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=16&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [EIT Manufacturing Call Overview](https://www.eitmanufacturing.eu/calls/teaching-factories-competition-2025-call-overview/) - [EIT Manufacturing Main Page](https://www.eitmanufacturing.eu/) - [European Commission Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders_en) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [support@eitmanufacturing.eu](mailto:support@eitmanufacturing.eu) | | Funder Contact Page | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Phone (EC) | +32 2 299 11 11 |

EIT Manufacturing's Teaching Factories Competition 2025: Call for companies and students

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