European Institute of Innovation and Technology

European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)
Established11 March 2008
FocusInnovation & Technology
ChairNektarios Tavernarakis (Governing Board)
HeadMartin Kern (Director)
Budget€3 billion for 2021-2027
Members27 Member States
AddressInfopark - Building E

Neumann Janos utca

1117 Budapest
Location,
Hungary and across the EU member states
Websiteeit.europa.eu

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is an independent body of the European Union with juridical personality, established in 2008 intended to strengthen Europe's ability to innovate.[1] The EIT’s three “core pillars” of activities are: entrepreneurial education programmes and courses across Europe that transform students into entrepreneurs; business creation and acceleration services that scale ideas and budding businesses; and innovation-driven research projects that turn ideas into products by connecting partners, investors, and expertise.

As part of the EU's Framework Program for Research and Innovation ‘Horizon Europe[2] under Pillar 3 ‘Innovative Europe’, the EIT contributes to achieving the four key strategic orientations of the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan. These are: promoting an open strategic autonomy by leading the development of key digital, enabling and emerging technologies, sectors and value chains; restoring Europe’s ecosystems and biodiversity and managing sustainably natural resources; making Europe the first digitally-enabled circular, climate-neutral and sustainable economy; creating a more resilient, inclusive and democratic European society.[3] The EIT is funded through Horizon Europe.[4]

In total, nine KICs (Knowledge and Innovation Communities) have been created by the EIT (European Institute of Innovation & Technology) since its creation in 2010.[5]

  1. ^ Regulation (EC) No 294/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2008 establishing the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.
  2. ^ Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1290/2013 and (EU) No 1291/2013 [2021], OJ L 170/1”, EUR-Lex. Last modified September 25, 2021.
  3. ^ “Horizon Europe, Strategic Plan 2021-2024”, Publications office of the European Union, Last modified March 19, 2021, Horizon Europe - Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu).
  4. ^ “EIT Strategy 2021-2027,” European Institute of Innovation and Technology, Last Accessed: 24/11/2022. EIT Strategy 2021 - 2027 | EIT (europa.eu).
  5. ^ "How many KICs (Knowledge and Innovation Communities) have been created by the EIT?". EU Funds. Retrieved 4 May 2023.