The EIT Higher Education Initiative (EIT HEI) has released a pre-announcement for its new Call for Proposals, expected to launch in late 2025, aiming to strengthen Europe's higher education and innovation ecosystem. The call will feature two topics: Topic A focusing on driving innovation and entrepreneurship capacity in STEM fields, and Topic B inviting European Universities Alliances (EUAs) to develop strategic cooperation with the EIT ecosystem.

📅 Call Timeline

• Application Deadline: 4 March 2026

✅ Eligibility

• Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
• European University Alliances.
• Businesses (private; small, medium, or large enterprises).
• Associations.
• Research institutes.
• Public bodies (local, regional, or national level).
• Intermediary organisations or associations representing HEIs.
• Social enterprises and NGOs.
• Eligible consortia must include at least five full (funded) partners: Minimum three HEIs established in three different Horizon Europe eligible countries, One business partner (private; small, medium or large enterprise), One other non-HEI partner (e.g., research institute, NGO, public body, KTO/TTO, science park).

📂 Support Scope and Duration

• Project duration is 24 months.

💶 Funding Opportunities

• Total Call Funding: EUR 70 million.
• Per-project Budget: EUR 2 million.

📌 Useful Links

• EIT HEI 2025 Call Pre-announcement
• Matchmaking Platform for consortium building
• Archive of previous EIT HEI Projects
• EIT HEI Cohort 1-3