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

July 31, 2026 (single-stage)

ERC Postdoc: up to €15,900 | ERC PhD: up to €12,900 | EIC Pathfinder: up to €6,900 (max. 3 months)

Fully funded innovation internships supporting mobility and collaboration between ERC/EIC Pathfinder researchers and startups across Europe.

Funding is limited to 3 months per internship and only available to ERC and EIC Pathfinder researchers.

--- ## Description The InnoNext - Next Generation Innovation Talents' Initiative provides financial support for short-term innovation internships, aiming to foster knowledge exchange and collaboration between top European academic talents and startups. The program is specifically designed for researchers affiliated with the European Research Council (ERC) and EIC Pathfinder programs, facilitating their mobility and enabling hands-on entrepreneurial experience in a host company or startup environment. InnoNext covers internship or mobility costs for up to three months, supporting both the researcher ("talent") and the hosting company in creating impactful innovation partnerships. --- ## Due Dates - Application deadline: July 31, 2026, 23:59 (Brussels time) - Single-stage submission process --- ## Funding Amount - **ERC Talents:** - Postdoctoral researchers: €5,300/month, up to €15,900 (3 months) - PhD researchers: €4,300/month, up to €12,900 (3 months) - **EIC Pathfinder Talents:** - PhD researchers: €2,300/month, up to €6,900 (3 months) - Funding only covers a maximum of 3 months, even if the internship is extended (no additional reimbursement after 3 months). - Total available per researcher is capped at the above limits. --- ## Eligibility - **Applicants must be researchers affiliated with either:** - ERC (European Research Council) programs (PhD or Postdoc level) - EIC Pathfinder programs - **EIC Pathfinder applicants:** Must undertake their internship at a host located at least 150 km from their usual workplace. - **Host organizations:** Startups or companies within Europe, willing to provide an innovation internship placement. - **Other requirements:** - Declaration of Honor (DoH) confirming program affiliation and workplace location. - Compliance with Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement obligations (conflict of interest, confidentiality, ethics, etc.). --- ## Application Process - **Step 1:** Eligibility check by the InnoNext Consortium (based on Declaration of Honor and supporting documents). - **Step 2:** Matchmaking and selection — researchers are matched with host companies for specific internship positions. - **Step 3:** Admission to Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) — financial agreements are finalized for eligible candidates. - **Step 4:** Internship and funding disbursement — support is provided for up to 3 months. - **Support:** Applicants receive guidance, resources, and templates via the [InnoNext website](https://innonext-project.eu/en). **To apply and for detailed eligibility criteria:** Visit the [InnoNext application portal](https://innonext-project.eu/en). --- ## Additional Information - The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. - Obligations for funded researchers include adhering to Horizon Europe rules on ethics, confidentiality, and reporting. - Templates for financial agreements and further guidance are available in the [Resources section](https://innonext-project.eu/en/resources) of the InnoNext website. - Detailed FAQs are provided [here](https://innonext-project.eu/en/faq). --- ## External Links - [InnoNext Program Information & Application](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/competitive-calls-cs/10401?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=15&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [InnoNext Project Website](https://innonext-project.eu/en) - [Resources for Applicants](https://innonext-project.eu/en/resources) - [InnoNext FAQ](https://innonext-project.eu/en/faq) - [European Commission Funder Page](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------| | General & FSTP application inquiries | [administration@innonext-project.eu](mailto:administration@innonext-project.eu) | | European Commission (main) | +32 2 299 11 11 | | EC Contact Page | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | ---

InnoNext - Next Generation Innovation Talents' Initiative

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