About the EIT

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is Europe’s largest innovation network, created to strengthen the continent’s ability to innovate and respond to global challenges. As an EU body and a key pillar of Horizon Europe, the EIT empowers changemakers, nurtures entrepreneurial talent, and supports the creation of sustainable growth and skilled jobs across Europe.

At the heart of the EIT are its Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), dynamic partnerships that bring together leading companies, universities, research centres, and innovators. Today, the EIT supports nine KICs:
Climate-KIC, EIT Digital, InnoEnergy, EIT Health, EIT RawMaterials, EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing, EIT Urban Mobility, and EIT Culture & Creativity, with EIT Water currently under development.

Across these communities, the EIT delivers a wide range of activities: entrepreneurial education programmes, business creation and acceleration services, and innovation-driven projects that bring new solutions to market. The impact speaks for itself, thousands of startups supported, jobs created, and innovations deployed across Europe.

A Core Part of Horizon Europe

The EIT plays a central role within Pillar 3 of Horizon Europe’s ‘Innovative Europe’, supported by a €3 billion budget. Its mission includes strengthening Europe’s innovation ecosystems, expanding entrepreneurial education, and equipping citizens with the skills needed for a rapidly changing world.

Looking Ahead: The EIT’s Future Vision

Building on 15 years of results, the EIT Governing Board has outlined an ambitious vision for 2028–2035. Priorities include:

Expanding into new fields such as security, AI & robotics, and rural innovation
Closing regional innovation gaps through the Regional Innovation Booster
Enhancing the EIT Innovation Campus to broaden access to education and upskilling
Strengthening alignment with other EU bodies to create a seamless pathway from research to startup creation and scale-up

This future vision aims to ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of innovation, talent development, and global competitiveness.