Post-announcement. EIT innovation communities and EIC tools: opportunities for researchers

On June 19, a webinar was held where Yuriy Nikitin (Expert of European Programs and Projects, Leading Researcher at the Institute of Materials Science of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and Kyiv Academic University, Doctor of Technical Sciences) presented the opportunities offered to researchers by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the European Innovation Council (EIC).

The main areas of support for researchers include grant programs for financing early-stage research, cascade financing programs for small and medium-sized enterprises, business accelerators, etc. You can learn more about the available EIT programs in the video of the event (video starts at 9 minutes).

The EIT brings together leading companies, educational and research organizations to form dynamic cross-border partnerships called Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs).

The objectives of such communities:

• Development of Deep Tech talent.
• Training a new generation of researchers - entrepreneurs.
• Development of innovative products and services.
• Creating new startups and innovative companies.

Since 2022, the Kyiv Academic University has been cooperating with two such communities within the framework of international grant projects to support the development of innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer:

EIT Food community, which funds the 4innopipe project. EIT Food was established in 2016 to support the global revolution in food production. More than 10,000 students have graduated from its master's programs, and innovation has been supported through more than 350 startups and over 290 new products.

EIT Raw Materials community, which funds the BOOSTalent project and is a partner in the SEEDplus project. The main goal of EIT Raw Materials is to ensure the sustainable competitiveness of the European minerals, metals and materials sector. The community focuses on supporting innovations in environmentally friendly raw materials for electromobility and green energy, as well as ensuring sustainable access to raw materials for a carbon-neutral Europe.

EIT's innovation communities also include:

• EIT Climate-KIC: Transition to a zero-carbon economy (founded in 2010). EIT Climate-KIC can help you:
  
  • Learn more about the climate and where innovation is needed
  • Develop the skills needed to become a confident participant in the climate innovation market
  • Find investors and companies willing to advise you and support your ideas and projects
  • Get the support you need to launch your new company in Europe
• EIT Digital: Digital Transformation of Europe (2010). The EIT Digital Open Innovation Factory supports the development of early-stage European start-ups interested in bringing their products and services to market. In particular, the program is looking for world-class digital DeepTech projects developed by corporations, research and technology organizations and/or universities together with early-stage startups that have already demonstrated their attractiveness to the market and investors and can benefit from the program for further growth.
• EIT Health: more opportunities for a healthy life (2014). The main goal of the program is to develop innovative concepts, products and services that are the best innovative solutions in the healthcare sector.
• EIT Manufacturing: Europe's competitive industry (2018) (2.1 million enterprises, 7.1+ trillion euros in turnover, 32+ million employees).
• EIT Urban Mobility: smart, green transport/cities (2019) (support for 1250+ enterprises, 890+ million investments, 6 thousand+ new jobs).
• EIT Culture & Creativity: transforming Europe's cultural sectors (2023) (50+ partners).
• EIT Inno Energy: Sustainable Energy Future for Europe (2010). (500+ products, 560+ million investments, sales of 5.3+ billion euros. 1100+ graduates).
• EIT Alumni: EIT Ecosystems Learning Cluster (2015).