The European Institute of Innovation and Technology has launched the 2026 edition of its Higher Education Initiative (EIT HEI) call to support higher education institutions in strengthening their capacity to turn STEM talent, knowledge and research into deep tech and manufacturing innovation and entrepreneurship, while contributing to European competitiveness. Successful projects will be required to do this across three mandatory interconnected areas:
- STEM talent for innovation and entrepreneurship
- Institutional capacity for knowledge valorisation and innovation
- Integration into innovation ecosystems
The EIT HEI call is a well-established annual funding opportunity that many higher education institutions, research organisations and companies will be interested in it. It provides consortia of at least five beneficiaries with up to €1.25 million per project.
Important points to note
An organisation may participate as a funded beneficiary in only one application submitted under the EIT HEI Call 2026.
This means that universities and other large organisations should have an internal selection process in place.
Organisations funded under EIT HEI Call 2025 are not eligible to apply (non-funded associated partners are eligible).
Universities and other organisations interested in applying to this call should consult the list of successful projects from last year.
Finding consortium partners
To help applicants find consortium partners, the EIT maintains a dedicated EIT HEI matchmaking platform for the 2026 call.
Further information
Further information about EIT HEI calls is available on the EIT’s dedicated website.
If you have any questions, please, contact Mr Błażej Thomas, UK National Contact Point for the EIT (maternity cover) at ncp-eit@iuk.ukri.org.