EIT

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is a new initiative which aims to become a flagship for excellence in European innovation in order to face the challenges of globalisation.

The EIT is the first European initiative to integrate fully the three sides of the "Knowledge Triangle" (Higher Education, Research, Business-Innovation) and aims therefore at transforming education and research results into tangible commercial innovation opportunities.

Based on operative partnerships known as “Knowledge and Innovation Communities” (KICs) – highly integrated public-private networks of universities, research organisations and businesses – the EIT's activities will be coordinated by a Governing Board ensuring its strategic management. Direct involvement of business stakeholders, including SMEs, in all strategic, operational and financial aspects of the Institute shall be a cornerstone of the initiative.

Operating across Europe, the KICs will be selected by the EIT Governing Board on a strategic basis as responses to the foremost challenges currently facing the Union.  The first thematic areas covered by the Institute include climate change, renewable energies, and the next generation of information and communication technologies.  The Governing Board will propose draft seven-year "Strategic Innovation Agendas" (SIA) outlining the EIT's long-term priorities and financial needs. The first SIA will be presented by the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament by 2011 at the latest.

An initial Community budget contribution of over EUR 300 million will help to launch the EIT during the 2008-2013 period and will provide the support structure and the conditions necessary for integrated knowledge transfer and networking.

For more Information, please visit the website of the EIT.

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