Open Call for Partnership: Strategic Topic Group
The EIT Culture & Creativity is launching a call for proposals to establish eight Strategic Topic Groups (STGs). These groups will function as think-do tanks and innovation sandboxes, harnessing cross-sector expertise to address urgent societal challenges and to generate strategic insights for the Partnership’s next Strategic Agenda and the forthcoming Horizon Europe Framework Programme 10 (FP 10).
The initiative is exclusively open to 2025 Core and Cooperation Partners of EIT Culture & Creativity, and it relies on the unique value and knowledge embedded within the existing Partnership ecosystem.
Timeline
- Call opening: 12 September 2025
- Info Session: 18 September 2025, register here
- Application deadlines: 13 October 2025
- Eligibity starts: 1 November 2025
- Programme duration: 9 months
- Communication of the results: 31 October 2025
Total estimated EIT funding allocated to this call
Financial Support to Third Parties
Up to 8 proposals will be selected with a maximum of award funding of €60,000.
The total EIT budget is €480,000.
Funding is disbursed in two instalments: an initial pre-financing payment of up to 30% upon signing of the Financial Support Agreement, and a final payment of up to 70% after validation of deliverables and cost eligibility, contingent upon valid Partnership membership throughout 2026. While co-funding is not mandatory, it will be viewed favourably, provided it does not originate from other EU programmes to avoid double funding.
Who can apply?
Lead organisations must hold valid Core or Cooperation Partner status for 2025 and must have paid their membership fees by the time of application. Each consortium must comprise at least two partners with valid membership and demonstrate integration of the Extended Knowledge Triangle—encompassing education, research, business, cultural institutions, and public and civil-society stakeholders.
How to apply:
- Read the full call guidelines and check eligibility
- Express your interest in participating in the Call here (the password will be provided to you if your membership status is valid).
- Submit your application via the EIT Culture & Creativity platform, here.
To be considered eligible, proposals must be submitted in English via the designated online platform no later than the deadline and must include all required documentation, such as the completed application form, curriculum vitae of key experts, and a detailed budget plan in Excel format. Applicants must also have a valid Participant Identification Code (PIC) through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
Scope and topics of the call
Applicants must select one of the following Strategic Topic Groups:
- Architecture,
- Audiovisual,
- Cultural Heritage,
- Digital Futures,
- Fashion,
- Gaming,
- New European Bauhaus & Design, or
- New European Bauhaus & Resilience.
Each STG proposal must articulate a clear vision for knowledge activation & experimentation, policy & strategy development, and non-EIT funding mobilisation.
A minimum of three work packages are required:
(1) Coordination Actions to manage internal communications and linkages with EIT Culture & Creativity staff;
(2) Stakeholder Engagement to co-design activities within the Partnership and across STGs; and
(3) Policy Development and Strategic Positioning, including co-creation of a position paper and definition of impact metrics.
Deliverables are due in two stages:
- By the end of Month 7, each STG must provide evidence of at least three collaborative workshops (one of which must involve a co-design session with another STG) and an “Insight & Strategy” report that synthesises actionable findings across the three core missions.
- By Month 9, a co-written “Position Paper & Insights” report must outline policy recommendations and propose metrics for tracking topic-related impacts.
Final reporting is expected to take place in August and September 2026.
Admissibility, eligibility, evaluation and portfolio selection criteria
For the admissibility, eligibility, evaluation and portfolio selection criteria please see the call guidelines.
Please note that the following documents need to be submitted:
- Application form, available on the Monday platform
- Detailled budget template available here
Please note that in order to start filling in the project proposal you are requested to submit your interest here, this verification step aims to verify your eligibility to participate to this Call. Please note that an answer will be provided to you within 24 hours.
Key documents for your application
Useful links to prepare your application:
Information sessions
To help applicants in preparing and submitting their proposals, EIT Culture & Creativity will host one information session covering the different aspects of the call. This webinar aims to ensure clarity to all Partners participants to the call, ensuring an equal access to all eligible parties.
- Webinar 1: The information session will be held online on Thursday 18th at 1pm CET, please register here to be invited to the session.
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