The EIT HEI Initiative Call for Proposals 2024 has a strong focus on enhancing the quality and competitiveness of European higher education. It will improve research and technology transfer from higher education and support business creation through strengthening collaboration between HEIs and business partners across Europe.
This call aims to fund up to 42 projects, with each selected project having a total duration of 25 months and an overall budget of EUR 1.34 million. The funding will be distributed across two phases:
- Phase 1 (1 April to 31 December 2025): Up to EUR 540,000
- Phase 2 (1 January 2026 to 30 April 2027): Up to EUR 800,000*
*Phase 2 funding is subject to the successful completion of Phase 1 activities and the EIT’s approval of the 2026-2027 Grant Agreement.
The call will incorporate a two-strand approach, where applicants will need to select one of the following strands to apply to:
- Strand A: Innovation and entrepreneurship capacity building at higher education institutions (HEIs).
- Strand B: Innovation and entrepreneurship capacity building at HEIs for the enhancement of Deep Tech.
Application deadline: 12 December 2024, 17:00 CET
A networking and matchmaking platform on Conversation Starter has also been launched. This platform allows organisations to connect with potential partners for joint applications to the call for proposals.
Information sessions
To guide applicants through the process, a series of info sessions will be held, providing valuable insights into the application process and clarifying expectations regarding project impact domains, key performance indicators, and collaboration opportunities.
- 2 October 2024: Overview of EIT HEI Initiative Call for Proposals 2024
- 7 October 2024: Introduction to HEInnovate
- 8 October 2024: MEL Framework and the Impact Domains and Actions
- 9 October 2024: Application Expectations and the IVAP
- 15 October 2024: KPI Expectations
- 17 October 2024: Role and opportunities for previous EIT HEI Initiative participants
- 29 October 2024: Applying to Strand B: I+E for the enhancement of deep tech
- 5 November 2024: Open Q&A session
The recordings of the sessions and the presentation slides will be available on the call website.