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European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) was launched in 2008 as an initiative geared towards strengthening competitiveness, innovation and sustainable growth in the European economic area. 

The EIT focuses on networking the key players of the knowledge triangle, by establishing long-term international linkage points between university institutes, research institutions, industry and SMEs, complementary to existing European funding structures.

The EIT is not a research institute in the classical sense, but an administrative structure that uses the Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) as an operational tool. A KIC is a highly integrated public-private partnership that brings together outstanding business enterprises, universities and research institutes in innovation hubs (or "co-location centres").      

Organisational structure

Budapest is the seat of the EIT and of the Governing Board as the central decision-making body. Martin Kern has been EIT Director since August 2019; the Governing Board is chaired by Nektarios Tavernarakis.

Calls for proposals

Nine large KIC consortia have been selected on the following topics since 2009:

  • EIT Climate-KIC: climate change mitigation and adaptation

  • EIT InnoEnergy: sustainable energy

  • EIT Digital: future information and communication society

  • EIT Raw Materials: radical innovations for the raw materials sector

  • EIT Health: healthy living and active ageing

  • EIT Food: sustainable supply chain from resources to consumers

  • EIT Manufacturing: leading manufacturing innovation is made by Europe

  • EIT Urban Mobility: mobility for liveable urban spaces

  • EIT Culture & Creativity

EIT in Horizon Europe

A total of EUR 2.9 billion is expected to flow to the EIT from the Horizon Europe budget in the 2020-2027 funding period. A newKIC in the area of Water, Marine & Maritime Sectors is planned for 2026.