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Ref: RDRTR20251212010
Descripción
A higher education institution is forming a consortium for the EIT HEI Initiative 2025 Call to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship capacities in STEM. The institution seeks international HEIs, SMEs, and innovation-oriented organisations to collaborate on capacity building, technology transfer, and start-up support activities.
Title
Higher Education Institution seeks partners for EIT HEI Initiative 2025 project focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and capacity building in STEM
Abstract
A higher education institution, together with its technology transfer and innovation ecosystem, is preparing a proposal for the EIT Higher Education Initiative (HEI) 2025 Call. The project targets Topic 1, focusing on strengthening institutional capacities in STEM-based innovation, entrepreneurship education, and technology transfer.
The initiative aims to enhance the ability of higher education institutions to support start-ups, scale-ups, and industry collaboration by integrating the EIT Knowledge Triangle: education, research, and innovation-business interaction. Planned activities include entrepreneurship training programmes, IP and commercialization support, capacity-building actions for academic and administrative staff, and mechanisms that foster cooperation between academia, SMEs, industry associations, and innovation actors.
The consortium will design an Innovation Vision Action Plan (IVAP) aligned with EIT priorities, contributing to long-term institutional transformation. The project also aims to establish new structures and partnerships that expand access to innovation services and strengthen regional and international collaboration.
The coordinating HEI seeks partners such as international universities (including novice HEIs), SMEs, industry clusters, technology transfer offices, and organizations engaged in innovation and entrepreneurship support. Partners are expected to contribute to training activities, knowledge exchange, start-up support, and the development of sustainable innovation structures.
Advantages and innovation
The proposing higher education institution offers a strong innovation ecosystem supported by a technology transfer structure, incubation services, and close collaboration with industry. This environment enables the consortium to implement high-impact activities in entrepreneurship, STEM capacity building, and commercialization.
The institution has established mechanisms for supporting start-ups and scale-ups, including mentorship, IP management, and access to regional innovation networks. Its strong linkage with SMEs, industry associations, and innovation stakeholders allows efficient integration of the EIT Knowledge Triangle.
The project introduces innovative approaches such as multidisciplinary entrepreneurship programmes, new models for technology transfer capacity building, and digital tools that enhance institutional cooperation. These innovations aim to create sustainable structures that strengthen long-term institutional transformation and regional impact.
Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
The consortium seeks partners with expertise relevant to the EIT HEI Initiative 2025 Topic 1, particularly in strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship capacity within higher education. Desired partners include:
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs):
Experience in STEM-related education, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Capability to participate with at least two faculties or departments.
Preference for institutions that qualify as novice partners under the EIT HEI programme.
SMEs and Industry Actors:
Experience in supporting start-ups and scale-ups, commercialization activities, or technology adoption.
Ability to contribute to mentoring, business development, and innovation-demand articulation.
Innovation Ecosystem Organisations:
Technology transfer offices, incubators, accelerators, clusters, and industry associations.
Expertise in IP management, knowledge transfer, and collaborative R and D structures.
Capacity to support large-scale training programmes targeting students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and staff.
Partners should be prepared to contribute to:
Entrepreneurship training and capacity-building actions,
Technology transfer and commercialization pathways,
Development of the Innovation Vision Action Plan (IVAP),
Establishment of new structures and partnerships aligned with the EIT Knowledge Triangle.
Framework program
Horizon Europe
Call title and identifier
EIT Higher Education Initiative (HEI) – Call for Proposals 2025
Deadline: 4 March 2026, 17:00 CET
Submission and evaluation scheme
Call for Proposals 2025
Deadline: 4 March 2026, 17:00 CET
Anticipated project budget
Total: 2.000.000 Euro
Coordinator required
No
Deadline for EoI 10 Feb 2026
Deadline of the call 4 Mar 2026
The initiative aims to enhance the ability of higher education institutions to support start-ups, scale-ups, and industry collaboration by integrating the EIT Knowledge Triangle: education, research, and innovation-business interaction. Planned activities include entrepreneurship training programmes, IP and commercialization support, capacity-building actions for academic and administrative staff, and mechanisms that foster cooperation between academia, SMEs, industry associations, and innovation actors.
The consortium will design an Innovation Vision Action Plan (IVAP) aligned with EIT priorities, contributing to long-term institutional transformation. The project also aims to establish new structures and partnerships that expand access to innovation services and strengthen regional and international collaboration.
The coordinating HEI seeks partners such as international universities (including novice HEIs), SMEs, industry clusters, technology transfer offices, and organizations engaged in innovation and entrepreneurship support. Partners are expected to contribute to training activities, knowledge exchange, start-up support, and the development of sustainable innovation structures.
Advantages and innovation
The proposing higher education institution offers a strong innovation ecosystem supported by a technology transfer structure, incubation services, and close collaboration with industry. This environment enables the consortium to implement high-impact activities in entrepreneurship, STEM capacity building, and commercialization.
The institution has established mechanisms for supporting start-ups and scale-ups, including mentorship, IP management, and access to regional innovation networks. Its strong linkage with SMEs, industry associations, and innovation stakeholders allows efficient integration of the EIT Knowledge Triangle.
The project introduces innovative approaches such as multidisciplinary entrepreneurship programmes, new models for technology transfer capacity building, and digital tools that enhance institutional cooperation. These innovations aim to create sustainable structures that strengthen long-term institutional transformation and regional impact.
Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
The consortium seeks partners with expertise relevant to the EIT HEI Initiative 2025 Topic 1, particularly in strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship capacity within higher education. Desired partners include:
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs):
Experience in STEM-related education, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Capability to participate with at least two faculties or departments.
Preference for institutions that qualify as novice partners under the EIT HEI programme.
SMEs and Industry Actors:
Experience in supporting start-ups and scale-ups, commercialization activities, or technology adoption.
Ability to contribute to mentoring, business development, and innovation-demand articulation.
Innovation Ecosystem Organisations:
Technology transfer offices, incubators, accelerators, clusters, and industry associations.
Expertise in IP management, knowledge transfer, and collaborative R and D structures.
Capacity to support large-scale training programmes targeting students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and staff.
Partners should be prepared to contribute to:
Entrepreneurship training and capacity-building actions,
Technology transfer and commercialization pathways,
Development of the Innovation Vision Action Plan (IVAP),
Establishment of new structures and partnerships aligned with the EIT Knowledge Triangle.
Framework program
Horizon Europe
Call title and identifier
EIT Higher Education Initiative (HEI) – Call for Proposals 2025
Deadline: 4 March 2026, 17:00 CET
Submission and evaluation scheme
Call for Proposals 2025
Deadline: 4 March 2026, 17:00 CET
Anticipated project budget
Total: 2.000.000 Euro
Coordinator required
No
Deadline for EoI 10 Feb 2026
Deadline of the call 4 Mar 2026