On 24 March, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) launched the HEI Initiative: Innovation Capacity Building for Higher Education − a new initiative to boost innovation and entrepreneurship at institutional level in higher education institutions. As part of this initiative, today the EIT announced a Pilot Call for Proposals, inviting European higher education institutions to design activities that will build their entrepreneurial and innovation capacity.

Consortia of European higher education institutions are invited to apply for the Pilot Call for Proposals and take the opportunity to unlock their potential for innovation and entrepreneurship.

All pilot projects selected for funding under the HEI Initiative are required to create an Innovation Vision Action Plan (IVAP) as part of their application. The IVAP will take a long-term view towards increasing the innovation and entrepreneurial capacity within the corresponding HEIs, at institutional level. The IVAP will be designed on the basis of an HEInnovate self-assessment for each HEI consortium member, in order to drive the choice of Actions proposed for funding and institutional change within the corresponding HEIs.

As part of the Pilot Call for Proposals, a total of 23 pilot projects will be selected, and each project will initially receive funding of up to €400,000 during 2021, with further funding of up to €800,000 possible during 2022-3. The pilot projects will be implemented over 24 months from July 2021, and applicants’ activities can focus on several themes:

Fostering institutional engagement and change

Strengthening partnerships

Developing innovation and businesses

Enhancing the quality of entrepreneurial education

Creating and disseminating knowledge

The deadline for submitting proposals is 25 May 2021, and the selected pilot projects will be announced in June 2021.

To learn more about the HEI Initiative and the Pilot Call for Proposals, visit eit-hei.eu.

The presentation of the webnar: Introduction to HEInnovate that was held on the 23rd April 2021 can be accessed here.