EIT opens €2 million call to widen access to STEM careers across Europe
Grants of up to €80,000 will support 25 projects, with applicants required to bring education providers and industry partners together
EIT’s new funding call will support projects that introduce learners to STEM subjects, skills and careers across Europe. Illustrative image.
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has opened a funding call for projects that help people take their first steps toward careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Up to €2 million is available to develop or expand activities across Europe, with a focus on learners underrepresented in STEM.
Each applicant consortium must include at least one education provider and one business or industry partner. The call will support 25 projects with grants of up to €80,000 each, covering activities intended to help participants progress toward further learning, training or employment.
The funding accompanies the launch of EIT STEM Tech Talent Induction, known as EIT STEM Talent. The wider initiative will particularly target young people, women and people from diverse backgrounds, supporting entry into STEM education and training at different stages of life and work.
Opening a route into STEM
The initiative’s emphasis is on getting people started. Under the European Commission’s STEM Education Strategic Plan, “induction” means activities that introduce and attract young people to STEM careers, helping them begin a path toward study and work.
The funding call allows a range of approaches, from building awareness and interest to practical learning and focused skills development. Projects can introduce learners to science and technology alongside entrepreneurship, combining technical knowledge with problem-solving and opportunities to apply ideas to real-world challenges.
“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” says Stefan Dobrev, Chairperson of the EIT Governing Board. “By mobilising the EIT Community’s partners across education, research and business, the EIT STEM Tech Talent Induction initiative will build a bridge from learning to impact. It will help more people build the confidence, skills and connections to pursue STEM careers.”
Alongside the funded projects, partner organizations described as “Pledgers” will deliver learning opportunities. The EIT plans to bring together education and training providers, research institutions, nongovernmental organizations and industry partners.
Education and industry must work together
The EIT links the initiative to difficulties both in recruiting skilled workers and in building foundational science and mathematics knowledge. It cites figures showing that nearly 80% of EU small and medium-sized enterprises struggle to find workers with the necessary skills, including in technical and skilled manufacturing occupations.
It also points to the latest PISA results, which it says show that 35% of EU students do not reach basic proficiency in mathematics and 27% fall short in science.
Funded by the EIT and delivered through its Knowledge and Innovation Communities, partnerships connecting businesses, research organizations and universities, the initiative forms part of the European Commission’s STEM Education Strategic Plan and its broader Union of Skills.
Organizations can apply to create new activities or expand existing ones. Beyond the required education and industry partners, the call encourages involvement from regional or public bodies and partners in other regions or countries.
