# European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) Initiatives

## Overview
EIT provides grants, awards, and accelerator support for innovation and startups, with strong focus on circular economy and sustainability solutions.

## Managing Bodies
EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs):
- EIT Climate-KIC
- EIT RawMaterials
- EIT Manufacturing

## Funding Type
Grants, awards, and accelerator support for innovation and startups

## Funding Amount
- €50k up to €500k+ depending on program
- EIT RawMaterials Booster/ERMA Calls: Up to €500k for startups/scale-ups, €2.5M for larger projects
- Smaller Booster grants: ~€60k
- EIT Climate-KIC Accelerator: €10–50k in stages, up to €210k per project

## Deadlines
- Vary by KIC program
- Many have annual or biannual calls
- EIT Climate-KIC: 2024–25 call (18-month climate innovation support program)

## Eligibility
- Startups/SMEs or project consortia within EIT member regions
- Requirements differ by call (TRL ~4–7 for Booster grants)

## Thematic Alignment
Highly relevant to digital circular economy solutions:
- Resource recycling
- Process efficiency
- Industrial IoT
- Cross-sector sustainability
- Raw materials circularity
- Climate innovation

## Relevance to City Resource Graph
- Digital platforms for resource management
- IoT-enabled industrial symbiosis
- Data-driven circular solutions
- Startup-scale innovation projects

## Links
- [EIT RawMaterials Booster Call](https://eitrawmaterials.eu/erma-booster-call)
- [EIT Climate-KIC Call](https://www.euro-access.eu/en/calls/1157/EIT-Climate-KIC-Call-for-proposals)
- [EIT RawMaterials](https://eitrawmaterials.eu/)

## Application Checklist

### Pre-Application Requirements
- [ ] Verify eligibility:
  - [ ] Startup/SME or consortium within EIT member regions (✅ Germany eligible)
  - [ ] EU member states eligible
  - [ ] Check specific KIC program requirements:
    - [ ] EIT Climate-KIC (climate innovation)
    - [ ] EIT RawMaterials (raw materials circularity)
    - [ ] EIT Manufacturing (manufacturing innovation)
- [ ] Confirm technology is at TRL 4-7 stage (for Booster grants)
- [ ] Determine program type:
  - [ ] Booster grant (~€60k) OR
  - [ ] Larger project (up to €500k startups, €2.5M projects) OR
  - [ ] Accelerator program (€10-50k stages, up to €210k)
- [ ] Check specific KIC program deadlines

### Required Documents (varies by program)
- [ ] Company registration documents (German/EU)
- [ ] Project description with innovation focus:
  - [ ] Resource recycling/process efficiency (RawMaterials)
  - [ ] Climate innovation (Climate-KIC)
  - [ ] Manufacturing innovation (Manufacturing)
- [ ] Budget breakdown
- [ ] Project timeline and milestones
- [ ] CVs of key team members
- [ ] Technology description (TRL 4-7 for Boosters)
- [ ] Market analysis and scalability plan
- [ ] Circular economy/sustainability impact description
- [ ] Partnership agreements (if consortium)

### Application Steps
1. [ ] Review specific EIT KIC program:
   - [ ] [EIT RawMaterials Booster](https://eitrawmaterials.eu/erma-booster-call)
   - [ ] [EIT Climate-KIC Call](https://www.euro-access.eu/en/calls/1157/EIT-Climate-KIC-Call-for-proposals)
   - [ ] EIT Manufacturing programs
2. [ ] Check program-specific deadline
3. [ ] Register on EIT KIC platform
4. [ ] Complete online application form
5. [ ] Upload required documents
6. [ ] Submit before deadline

### Project Alignment Checklist
- [ ] Project aligns with specific EIT KIC focus:
  - [ ] RawMaterials: Resource circularity, raw materials efficiency
  - [ ] Climate-KIC: Climate innovation, emissions reduction
  - [ ] Manufacturing: Manufacturing innovation, efficiency
- [ ] Demonstrates digital circular economy solutions (if applicable)
- [ ] Shows scalability and market potential
- [ ] Includes industrial symbiosis relevance (if applicable)
- [ ] Technology at appropriate TRL level (4-7 for Boosters)

### Program Selection Guidance
- [ ] **EIT RawMaterials**: Focus on raw materials circularity, resource recycling
- [ ] **EIT Climate-KIC**: Focus on climate innovation, emissions reduction
- [ ] **EIT Manufacturing**: Focus on manufacturing innovation, process efficiency
- [ ] Consider Booster grants for TRL 4-7 projects (~€60k)
- [ ] Larger projects for startups/scale-ups (up to €500k)
- [ ] Accelerator programs for stage-based funding

### Post-Submission
- [ ] Save confirmation and reference number
- [ ] Monitor evaluation timeline
- [ ] Prepare for potential interview/pitch
- [ ] Have additional documentation ready if requested

## Application Tips
- Focus on regional impact within EIT member countries
- Demonstrate scalability and market potential
- Leverage local EIT community networks
- Suitable for TRL 4-7 projects
- **German companies fully eligible** - can participate in all EIT programs
- **Berlin location perfect** - EU member state eligible
- Check specific KIC deadlines (vary by program)