EIT Manufacturing, supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, launches its Call for Proposals 2025 today Monday 29 April. More than 15 million € will be awarded to collaborative projects that promote a resilient and competitive future for a greener industry in Europe. European companies, SMEs, startups, technology centres and universities can apply until Monday 8 July 2024.
Eligible projects should focus on either innovation, by bringing innovative solutions to the market, or education, by providing skills and competences to the manufacturing workforce. A third category, the Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS), provides a specific budget for both types of activities carried out in countries with moderate or emerging levels of innovation. The Call for Proposals has a European scope and encourages cooperation by requiring that applicant consortia must include a minimum of three legal entities from different countries. Depending on the topic, each proposal may be eligible for funding ranging from 200,000 € to 1 million €.
Since 2020, EIT Manufacturing has funded 105 innovation projects that have high impact potential and demonstrated technology readiness level (TRL 6). To date, 80 innovations have been brought to market. With a total budget of more than 15 million €, the Call for Proposals is the key initiative of EIT Manufacturing, Europe’s largest manufacturing innovation community. It aims to facilitate the transition to more resilient, sustainable and human-centered manufacturing. It focuses on the use of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to improve operational efficiency, sustainability and the attractiveness of the working environment in manufacturing.
‘EIT Manufacturing is committed to support and stimulate innovation and the European ecosystems through various initiatives, including MatchMaking events, yearly Call for Proposals, as well as Access-to-Market, Access-to-Finance, co-investment opportunities, coaching and supporting start-ups in commercial expansion’, said Caroline Viarouge, Chief Executive Officer at EIT Manufacturing. ‘In an era of rapid technology development and AI evolution, the industry needs talent and innovation to solve todays challenges and to build the future-proof industry of tomorrow. The topics selected for this Call for Proposals are reflecting on the key themes that are impacting the industry and are resulting from a collaborative work of our Knowledge Innovation Communities’ partners over the past few months.’
Key themes evolve around sustainable industry development
Renewable energy, circular economy and net-zero industry have been identified as some of the pressing challenges that are key to maintaining global competitiveness and improving the manufacturing sector. To address these challenges, EIT Manufacturing offers funding and access to its growing ecosystem to the selected projects that fit into one of the following topics:
Innovation call:
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Innovative solution for industrial challenges
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Transition towards a resilient and human-centered manufacturing
Education call:
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Sustainable manufacturing for the future
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Digital innovation in manufacturing
RIS call:
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Innovation: A. Advanced Materials and manufacturing processes; B. Artificial Intelligence; C. Inclusiveness
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Up-skilling and re-skilling manufacturing workforce
How to successfully apply for the Call for Proposals 2025
Over the next two months, interested organisations from the industry, research and academia are invited to gather ideas, find suitable partners and write their compelling proposal. EIT Manufacturing actively supports this phase by organising information sessions, matchmaking events and workshops. In addition to specific events, the online community platform Agora, provides dedicated spheres for continuous exchange and up-to-date information to enable the creation of consortia. Final proposals must be submitted by 8 July to enter the evaluation process, which will conclude with the communication of results in October. However, activities will not start until January 2025 and are expected to last for one year.
Read more and find out how to participate: Guidelines – Call for Proposals 2025
