Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
Horizon Europe is the European Union (EU) funding programme for the period 2021 – 2027, which targets the sectors of research and innovation. The programme’s budget is around € 95.5 billion, of which € 5.4 billion is from NextGenerationEU to stimulate recovery and strengthen the EU’s resilience in the future, and € 4.5 billion is additional aid.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
The overall goal of the Innovation Programme is to develop a balanced portfolio of projects addressing key challenges in the EIT CC’s five priority areas: Fashion, Cultural Heritage, Architecture, Gaming and Audio-Visual Media.
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 will focus on refining prototypes, branding, market research, and scaling distribution channels.
Detailed Call Description
As part of the development of the portfolio, EIT Culture & Creativity’s will seek to develop long-term partnerships and expand the innovation ecosystem surrounding the sector. For all projects financed through this call, EIT Culture & Creativity reserves the right to provide additional services to the selected innovations and companies during and beyond the lifetime of the grant to support the innovation’s growth and, therefore, maximise their contribution to the KICs financial sustainability plans. Additional activities may include activities aimed at supporting access to market such as events, pitching sessions to investors, networking sessions with the EIT CC and broader EIT community, activities at the CLCs and more.
Projects must address challenges in at least one of the KIC’s focus areas (Audio-Visual Media, Fashion, Architecture and Cultural Heritage). 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 commercialisation across multiple European markets.
To be eligible, all submitted proposals must address the mandatory KPIs listed below:
- 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 3 years of completion, with documented sales revenue of at least €10.000. Minimum target: 1.
Also, proposals may address the following optional additional KPIs: - 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.
- Optional KPIs: 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.
Proposals will be evaluated -among others – based on their innovation potential, commercial viability, and alignment with the strategic goals of EIT Culture & Creativity.
EIT Culture & Creativity will host 3 information sessions covering the different aspects of the call:
- Webinar 1:Overview: Information session on the strategic focus, scope, and topics of the call. 19 February 2025, 10h00-11h00 (Brussels time).
- 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, 11h00-12h00 (Brussels time).
- Webinar 3: Evaluation criteria and application process: Information session covering eligibility and evaluation criteria, assessment and application process.19 February 2025, 12h00-13h00 (Brussels time).
- 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, 13h00-13h30 (Brussels time).
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
The total budget for this call is €7.000.000, with each selected project receiving up to €350.000 (up to 20 projects will be financially supported).
This is an open call launched under the cascade funding mechanism, providing financial support to third parties based on actual costs incurred.
The financial support will be provided for the development and piloting of solutions, helping projects refine their prototypes, conduct market research, enhance branding strategies, and bring their innovations to market. This financial support ensures that projects reach TRL 9 by the end of their lifecycle, with all activities completed within the 12-month project duration.
All proposals must have a minimum co-funding rate of 30% across the project. Members within a consortium may have different individual co-funding rates, if the overall co-funding for the entire project meets the required minimum of 30%. Costs funded by other EU programmes or sources are not eligible as co-funding to avoid double funding.
The expected duration of participation is up to 12 months.
Thematic Categories
- Audiovisual sector and Media
- Culture
- Education and training
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness
Eligibility for Participation
- Educational Institutions
- Large Enterprises
- Legal Entities
- Other Beneficiaries
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- Training Centres
Eligibility For Participation Notes
This call for innovation projects is open to all legal entities established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries, including SMEs, universities, research institutions, and large businesses. Proposals must focus on advancing innovations from TRL 6 to TRL 9 and target market readiness.
At least 2 eligible entities from 2 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 2 partners, the business entity may also serve as the commercial partner.
Proposals must focus on close-to-market innovations in the priority sectors mentioned below, with the goal of launching these innovations within 12 months of the project’s initiation.
Once an application is selected for EIT CC financial support, the financially supported entities will automatically become members of the EIT Culture & Creativity community. As members, they will benefit from the support of the KIC’s ecosystem. To continue their engagement after project implementation, they will be required to choose one of the membership categories described in page 14 of the Call Guidelines.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Research and Innovation Foundation
Address: 29a Andrea Michalakopoulou, 1075 Nicosia, P.B. 23422, 1683 Nicosia
Telephone: +357 22205000
Fax: +357 22205001
Email: support@research.org.cy
Website: https://www.research.org.cy/en/
Contact Person:
Nedi Kaffa
Scientific Officer
Email: nkaffa@research.org.cy
EU Contact Point
A repository of common queries and troubleshooting guides will be created and maintained on the EIT CC website.