The EIT Culture & Creativity has opened a funding call for startups, scale-ups and SMEs active in three key sectors of the European cultural and creative industries: fashion, architecture and audiovisual media.
The initiative has an overall budget to support up to 11 innovation projects, with a maximum contribution of €900,000 per project.
The thematic priorities set out in the call include:
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Circular textile technologies
- Bio-based construction materials
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Responsible Artificial Intelligence for content creation and management
The overall objective is to support solutions that contribute to the European green, digital and social transition targets.
Programme structure and phases
The programme targets technology and business solutions that start from a maturity level of TRL 7 (prototype demonstrated in an operational environment) and aim to reach TRL 9 (system validated and ready for the market).
The application and implementation process is divided into two consecutive phases:
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Phase 1 (Concept development): each company submits a preliminary proposal. Selected applicants receive a grant of €20,000 to define a complete business development plan, validate the business model and shape the go-to-market strategy.
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Phase 2 (Full implementation): projects with the strongest development plans move on to an execution phase lasting up to 18 months, with funding of up to €900,000 to accelerate market entry and scale up the solution.
In addition to financial support, selected companies will gain access to the European network of EIT Culture & Creativity, with opportunities for strategic matchmaking with customers, industrial investors and business partners in more than 30 countries.
Eligible applicants and deadlines
Applications are open to legal entities established in EU Member States, in Overseas Countries and Territories or in countries associated with the Horizon Europe programme.
The application deadlines are:
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30 October 2026 for Phase 1
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15 March 2027 for Phase 2 (open only to applicants selected in Phase 1)
More information at this link: https://www.eit.europa.eu/our-activities/opportunities/eit-culture-creativity-innovation-projects-open-call