This call is now closed.
EIT Culture & Creativity invites you to submit proposals for the 2025 Short Innovation Projects, supporting high-impact initiatives that address pressing challenges in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI). This call focuses on fast-paced, results-driven innovation projects with a maximum duration of 6 months, delivering tangible and market-ready solutions within a short timeframe.
With a strong emphasis on Fashion, Architecture, Cultural Heritage, Audio-Visual Media, and Gaming, this call seeks to accelerate commercialisation and market adoption of innovations that address the challenges of globalisation, digital transformation, emerging technologies (such as AI), and environmental sustainability.
Beyond financial support, EIT Culture & Creativity may offer selected projects additional services to enhance long-term sustainability, such as market access support, investor pitch sessions, networking opportunities, and collaboration within the broader EIT ecosystem.
Milestones - segment 1 (single applicant)
Call opening
11 February 2025
Call closure
11 March 2025 at 17.00 CET
Eligibility & admissibility
Mid-March 2025
External evaluation
Until beginning of April 2025
Portfolio selection
Second half of April 2025
Results to applicants
End of April 2025
Publication of results
Beginning of June 2025 (1 month standstill period)
Projects start date
Tentative projects start date: Beginning of June 2025
Milestones - segment 2 (consortia)
Call opening
11 February 2025
Call closure
11 April 2025 at 17.00 CET
Eligibility & admissibility
Mid-April 2025
External evaluation
Until beginning of May 2025
Portfolio selection
Second half of May 2025
Results to applicants
End of May 2025
Publication of results
Beginning of July 2025 (1 month standstill period)
Projects start date
Tentative projects start date: Beginning of July 2025
Call segment 1 (single applicant)
The total budget for this segment is up to €595,000.00 with a maximum €59,500 of EIT CC financial support per project.
Call segment 2 (consortia)
The total budget for this segment is up to €2,640,000.00 with a maximum €120,000 of EIT CC financial support per project.
Who can apply?
Call segment 1 (single applicant)
Proposals must be submitted by a single SME or micro enterprise established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe-associated country. The single entity acts as both the innovation developer and commercial partner, progressing an innovation from TRL 7 to TRL 9 within 6 months. The entity is fully responsible for market readiness and contributing to financial sustainability through the Financial Sustainability Mechanism (FSM).
Who can apply?
Call segment 2 (consortia)
Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of two entities:
- One SME or micro enterprise (the innovation developer) as the project leader.
- One supporting entity (e.g., research organisation, technology provider, or business consultant) providing complementary expertise to support market readiness.
The partners must be from two different EU Member States or HE-associated countries. The commercial partner role must always be held by an SME or micro enterprise. The project must advance the innovation to TRL 9 within 6 months.
Call segment 1 (single applicant)
The Call for Short Innovation Projects, segment 1, supports 6-month projects carried out by a single SME or micro enterprise. These projects advance technologies from TRL 7 to TRL 9, ensuring rapid commercialization. The single applicant must independently manage the project, act as the commercial partner, and implement the innovation.
Priority sectors include all five EIT CC priority areas: Fashion, Cultural Heritage, Architecture, Gaming, and Audio-Visual Media. The expected outcome is a market-ready product, service, or business model, with a clear path to commercialization across multiple European markets.
Call segment 2 (consortia)
The Call for Short Innovation Projects, segment 2, supports 6-month projects carried out by a consortium of two entities:
- One SME or micro enterprise as the innovation developer (and often the commercial partner).
- One supporting entity providing innovation support (e.g., research or technology development).
These projects advance technologies from TRL 7 to TRL 9, ensuring rapid commercialization. Priority sectors include all five EIT CC priority areas: Fashion, Cultural Heritage, Architecture, Gaming, and Audio-Visual Media. The expected outcome is a market-ready product, service, or business model, with a clear path to commercialization across multiple European markets.
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.
For the admissibility, eligibility, evaluation and portfolio selection criteria please see the call guidelines.
Segment 1: The application form will be available from 11 February 2025 until 11 March 2025 17:00 CET.
Segment 2: 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:
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
INNOVATION CALL
Call guidelines
— amended 11.03.2025
INNOVATION CALL
Budget plan and EIT funding request template
INNOVATION CALL
Eligibility of expenditure
INNOVATION CALL
FAQ
Useful links to prepare your application:
PIC Registration Guidance
External link
EIT Culture & Creativity Strategic Agenda 2024-2027
External link
List of participating countries in Horizon Europe
External link
Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement (HE MGA)
External link
EU Financial Regulation (Article 61)
External link
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
External link
EIT Label Handbook for Quality system for non-degree education and training and EIT Competence Certification Model
External link
Ethics: Self-assessment
External link
Webinar 1
Overview: Information session on the strategic focus, scope, and topics of the call. 19 February 2025, 10.00–11.00 CET.
Click here to view the recording: EIT Culture & Creativity_ Innovation Call 2025 – Webinar 1.mp4
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
Webinar 3
Evaluation criteria and application process: Information session covering eligibility and evaluation criteria, assessment and application process. 19 February 2025, 12.00–13.00 CET.
Click here to view the recording: EIT Culture & Creativity_ Innovation Call 2025 – Webinar 3.mp4
Webinar 4
Hands-on demonstration: Proposal preparation and submission process, including information on the application platform, detailed submission steps and budget setup. 19 February 2025, 13.00–13.30 CET.
Click here to view the recording: EIT Culture & Creativity_ Innovation Call 2025 – Webinar 4.mp4
Contact
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.