Innovation Call: Main Innovation Projects 2025

EIT Culture & Creativity invites you to submit proposals for the 2025 Innovation Programme, aimed at supporting cutting-edge projects that address key challenges in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI). This call seeks to foster groundbreaking innovations in Fashion, Architecture, Cultural Heritage, Audio-Visual Media, and Gaming, helping stakeholders navigate the challenges of globalisation, digital transformation, emerging technologies (such as AI), and environmental sustainability. 

 

Through this call, EIT Culture & Creativity aims to develop a balanced portfolio of high-impact projects, strengthen long-term partnerships, and expand the innovation ecosystem surrounding the sector. Selected projects may also benefit from additional services beyond the lifetime of the grant, including support for market access, investor pitching sessions, networking opportunities, and collaboration with the broader EIT community. 

 

Timeline

  • Call opening: 11 February 2025
  • Call closure: 11 April 2025 at 17.00 CET
  • Eligibility and admissibility check: mid-April 2025
  • External evaluation of proposals: Until beginning of May 2025
  • Portfolio selection: Second half of May 2025
  • Communication of results to applicants: End of May 2025
  • Publication of results: Beginning of July 2025 (1 month standstill period)
  • Tentative projects start date: Beginning of July 2025

Total estimated EIT funding allocated to this call

The total budget for this call is € €7,000,000, with each selected project receiving up to €350,000. 

 

 

Co-funding

All proposals must have a minimum co-funding rate of 30% across the project. Partners within a consortium may have different individual co-funding rates, as long as the overall co-funding for the entire project meets the required minimum of 30%. 

Who can apply?

At least two eligible entities from two different EU Member States or countries associated with Horizon Europe are required to form a consortium. Single applicants will not be considered. One of the entities in the consortium must come from the business sector (micro enterprise, SME, large company, business association, etc.). Additionally, the consortium must have both a commercial partner and a research or academic partner. If the consortium consists of only two partners, the business entity may also serve as the commercial partner.

Scope and topics of the call 

The Regular Open Call for Main Innovation Projects supports one-year initiatives designed to advance technologies from TRL 6 to TRL 9, ensuring a smooth transition to market. Projects must address challenges in at least one of the KIC’s focus areas (Audio-Visual Media, Fashion, Architecture and Cultural Heritage). Projects must be completed within a 12-month period, with a focus on rapid commercialization. Projects will focus on refining prototypes, branding, market research, and scaling distribution channels. The expected outcome is a market-ready product, service, or business model, with a clear path to commercialization across multiple European markets. 

Type of activities to be financially supported

Initiatives designed to advance technologies from TRL 6 to TRL 9, ensuring a smooth transition to market from Gaming, Audio-Visual Media, Fashion, Architecture and Cultural Heritage sectors.

KPIs requirements

 Mandatory KPIs

  •  
  • EITHE02.4 – Innovations Launched on the Market: The proposal must aim to launch at least one innovation (new product or service) on the market within the KAVA duration or within three years of completion, with documented sales revenue of at least €10,000. Minimum target: 1 

Optional KPIs: 

 

  • EITHE01.1 – Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): The proposal should aim to generate and apply for at least one IPR (patent, trademark, registered design, etc.) resulting from KIC activities. 
  • EITHE04.4 – Start-ups Created: The proposal should aim to establish a start-up based on the project’s outputs, with financial transactions of at least €10,000 for services/products sold to customers.
    •  

Admissibility, eligibility, evaluation and portfolio selection criteria

                                               For the admissibility, eligibility, evaluation and portfolio selection criteria please see the call guidelines.  

The application form will be available from 11 February 2025 until 11 April 2025 17:00 CET. 

 

Please make sure you have a Participant Identification Code (PIC). If you lack a PIC, you will need to register first on the EU Funding & Tender Portal. 

 

Please submit your proposal here: 

 

Main Innovation Projects 2025

Please note that the following list of documents need to be submitted:

 

  • Application form, available on Monday platform (link above) 
  • Budget plan and EIT funding request (template below) 
  • Work plan and project timeline as Gantt chart 
  • Link to video demonstration 

Key documents for your application

Call Guidelines Call Guidelines (Amended 11.03.2025)
Budget plan and EIT funding request template
Eligibility of expenditure
FAQ

Useful links to prepare your application: 

 

Information sessions

To help applicants in preparing and submitting their proposals, EIT Culture & Creativity will host three information sessions covering the different aspects of the call. The webinars will ensure open, free, and fair access to all interested stakeholders. 

 

  • Webinar 2: Commercialisation and financial sustainability: Information session on how proposals should address commercialisation and the project’s contribution to EIT Culture & Creativity’s financial sustainability.19 February 2025, 11.00–12.00 CET. Click here to view the recording: EIT Culture & Creativity_ Innovation Call 2025 – Webinar 2.mp4
 

Contact details 

In addition to the information sessions, applicants may submit their inquiries via the official EIT Culture & Creativity Contact Form.  

This form should be used for all questions related to call content, technical aspects, thematic focus, administrative, financial, or procedural matters. The relevant team will review and respond accordingly to provide clear and aligned guidance throughout the application process

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