EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative Call for Training Proposals

The Deep Tech Talent Initiative Call for Training Proposals is specifically designed to engage a wide array of organizations committed to pioneering the future of deep technology education and skill development across Europe. This call is open to a diverse range of entities, including educational institutions, non-profits, startups, and companies, which align with the initiative’s goal to enhance deep tech capabilities in Europe.

Addressing this goal requires innovative approaches to training and education that meet current industry standards and anticipate the needs of the future. Therefore, applicants to this Call for Training Proposals must demonstrate a history of success in tackling deep tech training challenges and a forward-thinking vision that contributes to sustainable, long-term impact in the deep tech ecosystem.

Applicants should clearly demonstrate that their proposals will lead to a creation of a new course, training, or skills development programme. Proposals should reflect on past achievements and outline clear, actionable implementation strategies for future training. These strategies should aim to achieve scalable solutions that can be adapted and replicated across different contexts and communities, thereby amplifying the initiative’s impact on a pan-European scale.

Through this Call for Training Proposals, the Deep Tech Talent Initiative seeks to catalyse collaboration among stakeholders in the deep tech training ecosystem, promote the exchange of best practices and innovative methodologies, and ultimately, contribute to the creation of a highly skilled, adaptable, and inclusive deep tech workforce capable of leading Europe’s technological future.

Budget and Duration 

• Through this initiative, they aim to fund up to maximum 20 projects that embody these principles and outcomes. The call will distribute a total amount of up to 2 million euro, so each financed project would receive between 100.000-150.000 euro for project implementation.
• The duration of the projects selected from this call will be structured in two phases. The activities proposed for funding should be planned for a maximum duration of 10 months, clearly distinguishing between Phase 1 and Phase 2 activities.

Expected Outcomes

• The Deep Tech Talent Initiative is designed to catalyse significant advancements in deep tech education and training across Europe. Through this Call for Training Proposals, they anticipate a range of impactful outcomes that will collectively elevate the capabilities, reach, and innovation within the deep tech sector. Successful training programs developed through the call are expected to achieve the following objectives:
  • Innovation in Course Development: Design and launch ground-breaking courses, trainings and skills development programs.
  • Bridging the Deep Tech Skills Gap: Specifically target and mitigate the skills shortages in the following deep tech areas:
    • Advanced Computing / Quantum Computing
    • Advanced Materials
    • Artificial Intelligence applied to specific sectors
    • Cybersecurity
    • Robotics
    • Semiconductors (microchips)
    • Clean technologies
    • Immersive technologies
  • Enhancing Program Appeal and Reach: Focus on empowering underrepresented groups through training programs, particularly aiming at bridging the skills gap and fostering diversity and inclusion within the deep-tech.
  • Reaching the target of the goal by the end of 2025: Increase the desirability and reputation of deep tech training programs, with a goal of engaging more talents annually.
  • Fostering Creativity and Innovation: Support the development of innovative training methodologies that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking among participants.
  • Adherence to High Standards: Ensure that all courses adhere to the Quality Check standards by adherence to specified mandatory criteria which uphold the quality and relevance of deep tech training.
  • Collaborative Efforts and Phased Implementation: Applications must involve a consortium of at least two entities, demonstrating a collaborative approach to deep tech training.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for the call, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
  • The Member States of the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
  • The EU Outermost regions linked to the Member States of the European Union.
  • The countries associated with Horizon Europe;
• To be eligible for the Deep Tech Talent Training Call for Proposals all applicants:
  • must have completed their pledge registration, including signing the pledge document, and received the confirmation.
  • cannot have received funding from Horizon Europe related to the same action.
  • cannot be EIT KICs.

For more information, visit European Institute of Technology and Innovation (EIT).