The European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) has opened a call to create a new sustainable innovation partnership, EIT Water, aimed at strengthening Europe’s water, marine, and maritime sectors. The initiative, part of the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, invites consortia of organisations and industry leaders to submit proposals for integrating water-related education, research, and business.
Europe faces significant challenges in water management, including ecosystem fragmentation and resource overuse. Recent statistics indicate that 38% of the European population is affected by water scarcity, impacting 29% of the continent’s territory and costing between EUR 2 billion and EUR 9 billion annually.
EIT Water will adopt an integrated approach across freshwater, marine, and maritime ecosystems, focusing on entrepreneurial education, innovation projects, and the commercialization of new technologies. As the EIT’s tenth Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC), it aims to bridge regional innovation gaps and enhance Europe’s competitiveness.
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The EIT’s KICs have a proven track record, supporting over 10,000 companies, launching 2,450 new products, and training 800,000 individuals. EIT Water will receive an initial budget of up to EUR 5 million in 2026, with future funding contingent on performance and impact.
The deadline for proposal submissions is 17 June 2025. EIT Water will join nine existing KICs addressing global challenges such as climate, energy, health, and digital transformation, further positioning Europe as a leader in sustainable innovation. APPLY HERE
