EIT Culture & Creativity invites you to submit proposals for NEB Academy | Fashion Shift, designed to support consortia in developing and scaling circular, regenerative and responsible fashion business models grounded in the New European Bauhaus values of sustainability, inclusion and beauty.
This call focuses on existing businesses, pilots, initiatives or proven concepts that are ready to be developed, deployed or scaled through meaningful collaboration.
It aims to bridge the gap between creative vision and market reality, strengthen European fashion ecosystems, and support alternative models beyond fast fashion through shared responsibility, multi-actor engagement and market deployment.
Technical issues with submission‼️
If you are unable to submit your application due to a technical issue, please take a screenshot of the error or issue you are experiencing and send it to us immediately through the Contact Us form, using the file-upload field provided before the deadline 11 September 17:00 CET.
The screenshot should, where possible, clearly show the error message and time of the issue encountered.
€ 2,500,000
Total financial support & allocation
€ 500,000
FUNDING PER PROJECT
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Number of grants: 5 projects
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Reimbursement rate: EIT Culture & Creativity financial support may reimburse up to 100% of the total eligible project costs. To avoid double funding, costs already funded by other EU programmes or sources cannot be reimbursed.
Reimbursement rate: EIT Culture & Creativity financial support may reimburse up to 100% of the total eligible project costs, subject to the maximum contribution available under this call and the approved project budget. To avoid double funding, costs already funded by other EU programmes or sources cannot be reimbursed under this call.
Number of grants: Indicatively 5 to 6 projects, depending on the requested budget of selected proposals.
Who can apply
This call is open to legal entities registered in countries eligible under Horizon Europe at the closure time of the call. Third countries associated to Horizon Europe must already be formally associated at the closure time of the call.
Proposals may only be submitted by consortia including a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 independent legal entities, established in at least two different eligible countries, including at least:
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an independent fashion brand (SME under the EU definition operating for a minimum of 3 years);
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a research institution (e.g. HEI, research institute);
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a public authority or innovation/industry cluster;
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one value-chain partner in the fashion sector.
The consortium must designate one coordinator among its participating legal entities. Each project participant must have the financial and operational capacity to implement its assigned project activities, cover any non-reimbursed costs where applicable, and manage any cash-flow needs between payment instalments.
KPI requirements
Each consortium must commit to achieving at least one of the mandatory EIT key performance indicators (KPIs) listed below. Applicants should not overpromise KPI targets and should only include optional KPIs where they are relevant, measurable and properly evidenced within the project implementation period.
Mandatory KPIs:
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EITHE02.4 – Innovations launched on the market with sales revenue of at least EUR 10 000 (minimum: 1)
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EITHE04.4 – Startups created with financial transactions of at least EUR 10 000 (minimum target: 1)
Optional KPIs:
- EITHE06.1 – Investment attracted by KIC-supported start-ups and scale-ups (minimum target: N/A)
- EITHE08.1 – Successful participants in EIT professional courses and training activities (minimum target: N/A)
Scope and topics of the call
NEB Academy | Fashion Shift supports the transformation of the European fashion industry by fostering circular, regenerative and responsible business models. Projects should develop or scale market-oriented solutions that can generate measurable impact and demonstrate how New European Bauhaus values are translated into concrete practice.
Selected projects will demonstrate the following list of characteristics:
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Market deployment and scaling: Support existing businesses, pilots, initiatives or proven concepts that are ready to be developed, deployed or scaled through collaboration.
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Fashion value chain collaboration: Address relevant steps within the fashion life cycle or value chain, such as design, material sourcing, production, distribution, retail, circular economy services, end-of-life management or related enabling services.
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Double fit with NEB and EIT: Demonstrate sustainability, beauty, inclusion, market need and a credible commercialisation pathway beyond the project period.
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Multi-actor engagement: Use artistic and design-led approaches to support co-design, stakeholder mobilisation, dissemination and communication of alternative fashion solutions.
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Learning and capacity-building: Relevant private-sector consortium members must provide evidence of minimum knowledge on circular business models, sustainability and/or circular design in fashion, through a certificate of completion as described in the call guidelines.
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Replication potential: Projects are encouraged to develop solutions that can be implemented locally and adapted or replicated in other European contexts and beyond Europe.
How to apply
Admissibility and eligibility criteria:
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For the admissibility, eligibility, evaluation and portfolio selection criteria please see the Call Guidelines. Please read these carefully before proceeding with your application.
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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.
Application form
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Deadline extended: The application form will be available from 09/06/2026 until 11/09/2026, 17:00 CEST (Berlin time).
List of documents to be submitted:
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Application form as available on the submission platform
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Budget plan and EIT Culture & Creativity funding template
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Gantt chart with project timeline and work packages
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Link to a short video in English (3 to 5 minutes) presenting the transformative idea, product or service
Please note: EIT Culture & Creativity may publish updates, clarifications or reasonable amendments to the call conditions before the submission deadline. Any updates will be made available on this call page and will apply equally to all potential applicants.
Key documents for your application
Application form
Important update – New Budget Template to use
Budget plan and EIT Culture & Creativity funding template
Eligibility of expenditures
Please note this template is subject to change
Subgrant agreement – Project agreement
Declaration of Honour template
EIT Culture & Creativity GUIDELINES FOR PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING
Useful links to prepare your application:
EIT Culture & Creativity Strategic Agenda 2024-2027
List of participating countries in Horizon Europe
External link
EIT Culture & Creativity Code of Conduct
EIT Impact Framework (2022-2027) with codes
External link
Learn more through our webinar
This information session will focus on the call content, topics, and requirements, and on general procedures, such as the submission and evaluation process.
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Date: 8 July 2026
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Time: 10:00-12:30 CEST (Berlin time)
The recording of the session is available here, along with the presentation given during the meeting. Applicants are encouraged to check the call webpage regularly for updates.
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.
Frequently asked questions
This FAQ section will be updated throughout the call period. Relevant questions received from potential applicants will be reviewed and, where appropriate, published here to ensure equal access to information for all applicants.