EIT Culture & Creativity: Short Innovation Projects 2025 - single SME applicants

EIT Culture & Creativity invites you to submit proposals for the 2025 Short Innovation Projects, supporting high-impact initiatives that address pressing challenges in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI). This call focuses on fast-paced, results-driven innovation projects with a maximum duration of 6 months, delivering tangible and market-ready solutions within a short timeframe.

With a strong emphasis on Fashion, Architecture, Cultural Heritage, Audio-Visual Media, and Gaming, this call seeks to accelerate commercialisation and market adoption of innovations that address the challenges of globalisation, digital transformation, emerging technologies (such as AI), and environmental sustainability.

Beyond financial support, EIT Culture & Creativity may offer selected projects additional services to enhance long-term sustainability, such as market access support, investor pitch sessions, networking opportunities, and collaboration within the broader EIT ecosystem.

Who can apply?

Proposals must be submitted by a single SME or micro enterprise established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe-associated country (this includes the UK). The single entity acts as both the innovation developer and commercial partner, progressing an innovation from TRL 7 to TRL 9 within 6 months. The entity is fully responsible for market readiness and contributing to financial sustainability through the Financial Sustainability Mechanism (FSM).

An SME may also form a consortium with a supporting entity (e.g., research organisation, technology provider, or business consultant) providing complementary expertise to support market readiness. Consortia are invited to submit to call 2, which is open until 11 April 2025.

Call segment 1 (single applicant)

• Call opening: 11 February 2025
• Call closure: 11 March 2025 at 17.00 CET
• Eligibility and admissibility check: mid-March 2025
• External evaluation of proposals: Until beginning of April 2025
• Portfolio selection: Second half of April 2025
• Communication of results to applicants: End of April 2025
• Publication of results: Beginning of June 2025 (1 month standstill period)
• Tentative projects start date: Beginning of June 2025

The total budget for this segment is up to €595,000.00 with a maximum €59,500 of EIT CC financial support per project.

Co-funding

All proposals must have a minimum co-funding rate of 30% across the project. Partners within a consortium may have different individual co-funding rates, as long as the overall co-funding for the entire project meets the required minimum of 30%.

Scope

The Call for Short Innovation Projects, segment 1, supports 6-month projects carried out by a single SME or micro enterprise. These projects advance technologies from TRL 7 to TRL 9, ensuring rapid commercialization. The single applicant must independently manage the project, act as the commercial partner, and implement the innovation.

Priority sectors include all five EIT CC priority areas: Fashion, Cultural Heritage, Architecture, Gaming, and Audio-Visual Media. The expected outcome is a market-ready product, service, or business model, with a clear path to commercialization across multiple European markets.

Supporting webinars

• Webinar 1: Overview: Information session on the strategic focus, scope, and topics of the call. 19 February 2025, 10.00–11.00 CET
• Webinar 2: Commercialisation and financial sustainability: Information session on how proposals should address commercialisation and the project’s contribution to EIT Culture & Creativity’s financial sustainability. 19 February 2025, 11.00–12.00 CET
• Webinar 3: Evaluation criteria and application process: Information session covering eligibility and evaluation criteria, assessment and application process. 19 February 2025, 12.00–13.00 CET
• Webinar 4: Hands-on demonstration: Proposal preparation and submission process, including information on the application platform, detailed submission steps and budget setup. 19 February 2025, 13.00–13.30 CET

Joining information for all of these webinars is at the link below.

Further support

In addition to the information sessions, applicants may submit their inquiries via the official EIT Culture & Creativity Contact Form. This form should be used for all questions related to call content, technical aspects, thematic focus, administrative, financial, or procedural matters. The relevant team will review and respond accordingly to provide clear and aligned guidance throughout the application process.

You are also welcome to contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Global Alliance team or our Creative Industries team.