Expanding Academia-Enterprise Collaborations

This grant aims to support research institutions, higher education institutions, vocational schools, and similar organizations in the European Union by fostering their integration into Europe’s innovation ecosystems. This initiative focuses on improving the connections between educational institutions and startups, enhancing skills and knowledge flows, and promoting entrepreneurial activities to boost innovation.

Type of Project to Develop

• Projects that establish better links between educational institutions and startups, accelerators, and investor communities.
• Projects that enhance the skills of students, graduates, and researchers to meet innovation and labor market needs.
• Projects that create synergies between educational institutions and businesses to support the market uptake of new technologies.

Eligibility Criteria

• Educational and research institutions within the EU.
• Organizations involved in innovation ecosystems, such as SMEs, deep tech companies, and innovation agencies.
• Proposals that include partnerships between emerging and established innovation ecosystems.

Eligible Expenses

• Costs for networking activities and building innovation ecosystems.
• Costs related to the engagement of business experts and stakeholders.
• Costs for training programs and skill development activities.

Examples of Eligible Projects

• A project linking a university with local startups and accelerators to create a network for innovation and entrepreneurship.
• An initiative that provides training programs for students and researchers in digital, green, and entrepreneurial skills to enhance their employability.
• A collaboration between educational institutions and businesses to develop and test new technologies, ensuring they are market-ready and aligned with regional innovation strategies.