European Institute of Technology and Innovation (ETI)
- Introduction
- What kind of programme is usually funded? – Structure and contents of the KICs
- What kind of participant is usually funded? – Participation rules
- What is the procedure for funding? – Financing models
- Where can I get consultation?
- Where can I find a Bavarian contact person?
- Where can I get more information?
1. Introduction
Innovation is the key to growth, competitiveness and, subsequently, social well-being. The EIT (European Institute of Technology and Innovation) makes innovation the cornerstone of the knowledge-triangle consisting of research, education and transfer of technology, in that it represents a world-wide, first-class model for research and teaching through partnerships between universities and commerce.The EIT is recognised as a European Pendant at the famous American Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
The structure of the EIT is based on a progressive, innovative model for administration:
An Administrative Council with high-ranking representatives from research, teaching and commerce determines the overall strategic priorities. It aligns the knowledge and innovation communities and coordinates and evaluates their activities.
The knowledge and innovation communities (KICs) form the operative domain of the EIT System and enjoy the highest degree of autonomy and flexibility.
KKICs are based on the scientific excellence principles of Joint Ventures from universities, research organisations, federal or private enterprises and other actors in the innovation sector.
The KICs combine and integrate first-class human and physical resources and achieve thereby critical mass and top-level quality, which are necessary for development, dissemination and commercial exploitation of new knowledge-based products. They are said to be active in areas all over Europe, and are being sought out by the Administrative Council.
The EIT is supported by a lean and streamlined administration, which is able to independently and non-bureaucratically provide a high level of efficiency.
Possible interdisciplinary task domains for the KICs:
- Climate change
- Renewable energy
- Information society
- Medical research and technology
- Nano-technologies
2. What kind of programme is usually funded? – Structure and contents of the KICs
Innovative teaching programmes and concepts with the goal of obtaining broad, interdisciplinary instruction, which integrates scientific and enterprise-based skills as well as risk and innovation management. The university graduates should be better-educated and better-prepared for the demands of the labour market.
Reversal of the “brain-drain” to a “brain-gain” – the EIT will become a considerable magnet for the best talents in the world and thus be able to exert influence against the out-migration of scientists to non-European countries.
Flagship in the development process of the European Research Area (ERA), in order to accomplish a contribution towards overcoming fragmentation of the innovation-output in Europe, which is a result of the non-unified research and education system in the EU.
Point-of-reference for top-quality in administration and work-methods as well as relationships between science and commerce.
Best-practice as regards conversion of ideas into products ready for the market – for an increase in commercial exploitation of European research work.
Motor for economic growth and labour market in all of the European Union by means of introducing new products and services and the development of new markets.
3. What kind of participant is usually funded? – Participation rules
The administrative council will choose the KICs in open, transparent competitive proceedings. The KICs will be founded for between seven and fifteen years and financed by the EIT.
Universities, research facilities or enterprises who are interested in participation should be attentively tracking the rulings of the future Administrative Council through the following official internet site:
http://ec.europa.eu/eit/faq_en.htm#eit_q7
Roadmap 2008- 2011:
March 2008
Public consultation regarding the selection criteria for members of the Administrative Council
April 2008
2nd phase of the public consultation regarding the election of the Administrative Council
End of June 2008
Appointment of the Administrative Council members
Decision made by the commission concerning the site for the EIT administration site
Autumn 2008
First meeting of the Administrative Council
End 2009
Selection and operative start for the first two to three KICs
June 2011
Submission of the first version of a “Strategic Innovation Agenda“ (SIA) to the Commission by the EIT Administrative Council
End 2011
Presentation of the first version of the “Strategic Innovation Agenda“ (SIA) by the Commission to the Council and European Parliament
4. What is the procedure for funding? – Financing models
Council and Parliament passed, in November 2007, an investment participation amounting to 308.7 million euros for the time period from 2008-2013 as an initial financing (installation, administration, coordination and integration of the EIT and the KICs).
Additionally, a substantive contribution from the commercial/private sector is to be procured, and return flow from own activities should be generated.
5. Where can I get consultation?
EU-Office of the BMBF
PT-DLR
Heinrich-Konen-Str. 1 (Postal address)
D-53227 Bonn
Frau Hannah Wilhelm
Tel.: +49 (0) 228 – 3821 - 651
Fax: +49 (0) 228 – 3821 - 649
E-Mail:
Internet: http://www.eubuero.de
6. Where can I find a Bavarian contact person?
Bavarian Research Alliance GmbH
Nußbaumstraße 12
D-80336 Munich
Tel.: +49 (0) 89 - 9901 888 - 0
Fax: +49 (0) 89 - 9901 888 - 29
E-Mail:
Internet: http://www.bayfor.org
7. Where can I get more information?
General information regarding the topic “EIT“ in the web-pages for the European Commission:
http://ec.europa.eu/eit/
EIT – Frequently asked questions:
http://ec.europa.eu/eit/faq_en.htm#eit_q7
Official documents regarding EIT:
http://ec.europa.eu/eit/odocs_en.htm
EU-Office of the BMBF: public consultation regarding potential tasks, goals, additional benefits and structure of an EIT
http://www.rp6.de/inhalte/era/eit/Download/dat_/fil_1903
