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Nearly 180 organisations share €12 million under EU scheme linking businesses with universities
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology has revealed that 16 more consortia have won funding under its scheme for helping universities boost their innovation and entrepreneurship.
The EIT’s Higher Education Initiative is designed to help universities create links with businesses to boost their entrepreneurship and innovation, with the EU agency facilitating knowledge exchange and providing expertise and funding.
Announcing the successful consortia under the scheme’s third call on 23 May, the EIT said they involve 100 higher education institutions and 79 non-academic organisations, including companies, research centres and public authorities. The consortia will each receive a maximum of €750,000 from the total available funding of €12 million.
The call had a focus on so-called deep-tech—technology that is heavily based on research—in line with a broader EU focus on such technologies.
European Commission vice-president Margaritis Schinas—who has taken over education duties after the resignation of former research, innovation and education commissioner Mariya Gabriel—said fostering deep tech is “crucial” for Europe to complete the green and digital transitions.
“With hundreds of project partners across Europe and beyond, the EIT and its HEI Initiative can help ensure that Europe plays a centre-stage role in the global innovation ecosystem,” he added.
Since being established in 2021, the HEI Initiative has awarded over €55m to support 260 higher education institutions and 100 non-academic organisations across Europe. According to the EIT, these organisations have trained over 39,000 students, academics and non-academic staff on innovation and entrepreneurship, and have supported over 900 startups and scaleups.