EIT Culture and Creativity -Innovation Call: Main Innovation Projects 2025

Funding opportunity for innovation projects advancing cultural and creative sector technologies from TRL 6 to TRL 9, with up to €350,000 per project.

EIT Culture & Creativity is calling for proposals for the 2025 Innovation Programme, focused on supporting innovative projects in the Cultural and Creative Sectors, including Fashion, Architecture, Cultural Heritage, Audio-Visual Media, and Gaming. The aim is to address challenges like globalization, digital transformation, emerging technologies (e.g., AI), and environmental sustainability. Selected projects will be part of a high-impact portfolio, gaining access to market support, investor pitching, networking, and opportunities for long-term collaboration with the EIT community. Type of projects to be funded: Innovation projects supporting the transition of technologies from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 to TRL 9, ensuring market readiness. Funded activities include prototype refinement, branding, market research, distribution strategies, and commercialisation efforts.

Sectors / domain: Cultural Heritage, Architecture, Fashion, Audio-Visual Media, and Gaming.

Individual or consortium: Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least two legal entities from different EU Member States or Horizon Europe-associated countries. The consortium must include both a business entity (micro enterprise, SME, large company, or business association) and a research or academic entity. One entity must act as the commercialisation lead. Single applicants are not eligible.

Specific eligibility requirements: Open to legal entities established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe-associated countries. A minimum co-funding rate of 30% is required. Projects must address the mandatory Key Performance Indicator (KPI) on market launch (EITHE02.4) and comply with Horizon Europe regulations.

Specific topics or challenges: Projects should focus on market-ready innovations within the five priority areas:
- Cultural Heritage: AI, gaming applications, and digital tools for heritage preservation.
- Architecture: Sustainable materials, climate-resilient building solutions.
- Fashion: Circular textiles, digital fashion, and sustainable supply chains.
- Audio-Visual Media: AI-driven content creation, immersive media, and ethical digital practices.
- Gaming: Cross-sector applications, ethical AI integration, and innovative business models.

Projects duration: 12 months (with a possibility of extension under specific conditions).

Budget, funding rates and payment conditions:
- Funding rate: Up to 70% (30% co-funding required).
- Budget conditions / limitations: Maximum €350,000 per project from a total call budget of €7,000,000.
- Payments: Three instalments: Up to 20% pre-financing at project start; Up to 40% interim payment upon validation of the progress report; Up to 40% final payment upon completion and approval of the final report.
- Financial sustainability: All financially supported projects within the innovation calls are required to contribute to EIT CC’s financial sustainability. Please note that EIT CC’s preferred option for projects supported in this call is for Equity Participation (shareholder agreement or SAFE).

📅 Key Dates:
- Call opens: 11 February 2025
- Deadline for applications: 11 April 2025 (17:00 CET)
- Evaluation period: April–May 2025
- Project start: July 2025

Links

Website Guidelines Apply

Closes

11/04/2025

Max funding per project

350.000€

Technology

Domains

Type of Beneficiary

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