European Institute of innovation &technology

Mission

The EIT is a body of the European Union established in March 2008. Our mission is to increase European sustainable growth and competitiveness by reinforcing the innovation capacity of the EU.

This translates into developing a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. To do so, the EIT has created integrated structures (Knowledge and Innovation Communities), which link the higher education, research and business sectors to one another thereby boosting innovation and entrepreneurship. The KICs focus on priority topics with high societal impact, currently: Climate change mitigation (Climate-KIC), Information and Communication Technologies (EIT ICT Labs), Sustainable Energies (KIC InnoEnergy).

In short, the EIT’s mission is to facilitate the following transitions:

-- from idea to product

-- from lab to market

-- from student to entrepreneur

by integrating the three sides of the Knowledge Triangle (higher education, research and business) in areas of high societal need.

EIT operations are conducted in Budapest, Hungary and led by the EIT Director, José Manuel Leceta. Knowledge and Innovation communities gather hundreds of partners in 17 co-location centres in Europe.

Governance

The EIT is governed by a Governing Board consisting of 22 Members representing a balance of leading individuals active in the education, research and business sectors (including KIC partners). The Governing Board is in charge of setting the overall strategy and direction of the EIT.

The EIT’s activities are supported by the legally and operationally independent EIT Foundation.

What We Do

Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs)

The vehicle that ensures that the EIT vision and policies are translated into effective actions, and that reaches out to individuals on the ground are theKICs. Much of the EIT’s efforts to date have been focused on establishing the current three KICs. They are organised as separate legal entities, which provide the physical infrastructure to bring together individuals from universities, research centres and businesses in geographical locations (16 centres) where all KIC partners work together face-to-face. The KICs implement specific projects, educational programs, funding schemes, etc. The EIT is monitoring the KICs to ensure that its aims are being effectively developed. More about the KICs and current actions.

Entrepreneurship

Part of the EIT’s mission is to create the conditions and framework that will allow a fresh entrepreneurship culture to flourish – both as a mindset and as an action. Its strategy is therefore based on a two-pronged approach: 1) by way of education, to create a cultural shift in the perception of entrepreneurship and risk taking, and 2) by encouraging and supporting entrepreneurship through concrete entrepreneurship activities such as the EIT Academy and EIT Award. More about the EIT and entrepreneurship.

Education

The EIT is developing higher education programmes (of Masters and PhD level) with the KIC partners. The aim is to create an EIT brand of excellence across European higher education institutions which will mark out the EIT courses as cutting edge in delivering high quality and innovation results. The courses will integrate entrepreneurship, innovation and risk management content and include mobility and practical business experience aspects. More about the EIT and education.

Learning and Dissemination

In addition to linking to and encouraging the KICs in their innovation task, the EIT focuses on building and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders both in Europe and beyond. In the long term, it will disseminate results from the Knowledge and Innovation Communities, share knowledge, and maintain close links with other EU bodies with a view to ensure, implement, and develop the EIT strategy.

More information:European Institute of Innovation and Technology