EIT STEM Tech Talent: up to €80,000 for training programmes, deadline 14 December

On 14 October 2026 the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) opened the STEM Tech Talent Induction call: consortia made up of at least one education provider and one partner from the business community can obtain grants of up to €80,000 for programmes that help young people and adults acquire skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The total budget is €2 million, for approximately 25 projects, and the submission deadline is 14 December 2026, 17:00 CET.

In brief

• Programme: EIT STEM Tech Talent Induction — 2026 call for proposals
• Authority: European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), through the EIT STEM Talent initiative
• Beneficiaries: consortia with at least one education provider (school, VET centre, university, NGO) and one partner from the business or industry sector
• Total budget: €2 million, estimated for up to 25 projects
• Value per project: up to €80,000
• Submission period: open from 14 October 2026, deadline 14 December 2026, 17:00 CET (18:00 Romanian time)
• Status: call open; results will be announced on 12 February 2027, projects start on 1 April 2027

Who can apply?

Any legal entity eligible under Horizon Europe can apply, subject to one consortium condition: the proposal must include at least one education provider — a school, vocational education and training (VET) centre, university or NGO with educational activity — and at least one partner from the business community or industry. The EIT encourages the inclusion of public or regional actors and transnational partners, but they are not mandatory.

For Romania, the call is all the more interesting because the country belongs to the RIS (Regional Innovation Scheme) group, and projects must attract at least 30% of learners from RIS countries — a criterion that favours consortia with Romanian partners.

Which activities are funded?

The call funds STEM induction and training programmes in three fields: natural sciences, mathematics and statistics (ISCED-F 05), information and communication technologies (ISCED-F 06), and engineering, manufacturing and construction (ISCED-F 07), including interdisciplinary combinations of these. The format is flexible — courses can be delivered online, in person or in a blended format, from training modules and industry-led challenges to regional reskilling programmes.

What targets must be met?

Selected projects must train at least 1,200 participants, of whom at least 40% women and girls and at least 30% learners from RIS countries, including Romania. The evaluation results will be announced on 12 February 2027, and the winning projects start on 1 April 2027.

What this means for your business

Our recommendation: this call suits technology, manufacturing or engineering companies that already have a real recruitment problem and want to build their own talent pool, in partnership with a technological high school, a university or a training provider. The €80,000 grant does not fund equipment investments for the company, but the training programme itself — think of it as an HR and European visibility tool, not as development funding.

Preparation time is short — less than two months until 14 December — so the critical step is quickly identifying the educational partner and clearly dividing roles. A common pitfall in EIT applications is underestimating the indicators: the target of 1,200 participants requires a realistic recruitment plan (online platforms, several course intakes, dissemination partners), not just a pilot course with 30 learners. If you want to see which other funding opportunities match your company's profile, start with the eligibility check.

Frequently asked questions

Can a company apply on its own, without an educational partner?

No. The consortium must include at least one education provider and at least one business partner — both components are mandatory. However, a company can initiate the consortium and coordinate the project, if it is a legal entity eligible under Horizon Europe.

Do I need partners from other countries?

It is not mandatory — transnational partners are only encouraged. A consortium made up exclusively of Romanian entities can apply, and the fact that Romania is a RIS country helps to reach the 30% target of learners from RIS countries.

How long until I find out the result, and when do projects start?

According to the calendar published by the EIT, results will be announced on 12 February 2027, and the selected projects start on 1 April 2027. The training must target learners at ISCED levels 3–5, from upper secondary to post-secondary and short-cycle tertiary education.

What kinds of courses can be proposed?

Any STEM induction format: online or classroom modules, hybrid programmes, practical industry-led challenges, regional training or reskilling programmes, digital learning platforms — provided they fall within ISCED-F fields 05, 06 or 07 and meet the participation indicators.

Official sources

• EIT STEM Talent — 2026 call for proposals (official page)
• EU Opportunities (MIPE) — EIT STEM Tech Talent 2026 announcement

Information checked on 20 October 2026. Conditions may be changed by the managing authority — check the guide in force before you submit.