The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Community can now engage in a new matchmaking platform designed to foster cross-sector innovation. InnoNext, a collaborative initiative powered by the European Innovation Council (EIC), opens fresh opportunities for EIT Community members to participate in fully funded Innovation Internships across Europe.

Through this platform, graduates from EIT Label programmes and EIT-supported startups can access tailored placements that connect academic talent with business needs. The goal: to strengthen innovation, accelerate scale-ups and bridge research with industry.

What Is InnoNext?

InnoNext is a pan-European initiative offering Innovation Internships to high-potential talent from across EU-funded programmes, including the EIC, EIT, European Research Council (ERC), Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and Horizon Europe Research Infrastructures.

By aligning entrepreneurial ambition with academic expertise, the programme supports research commercialisation, fosters business growth and enhances the societal impact of European innovation.

Who Can Take part?

Talents

• students or graduates from EIT Label Master’s or Doctoral programmes
• EIT Alumni members
• researchers from other postdoctoral training programmes funded by the EIT Community

Startups and SMEs

• startups and SMEs supported by the EIT Community and its business creation services
• businesses founded with support from Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs)
• companies that have partnered with KICs for innovation activities
• startups or scale-ups with at least one co-founder who is an EIT Alumni member

How it Enhances Impact

For talents, InnoNext offers the opportunity to apply academic knowledge to real-world business challenges, while gaining valuable entrepreneurial and professional experience. Participants can build strong networks within Europe’s innovation ecosystem and receive financial support for a fully funded internship lasting three to six months.

For startups and SMEs, the programme offers access to highly specialised research talent, enabling them to host internships without financial burden. Through the InnoNext platform’s AI-driven matching system, companies can find candidates aligned with their innovation needs and benefit from fresh insights to support product development and scale-up efforts.

This initiative echoes the EIT’s broader mission and achievements in nurturing innovation — having supported over 9 900 ventures, launched 2 450+ new products and trained more than 880 000 individuals in critical innovation and entrepreneurial skills.

By connecting academic and entrepreneurial minds across several of Europe’s pioneering agencies, InnoNext represents a collaborative step forward in the EU’s long-term strategy to boost innovation, competitiveness and sustainable growth.

Check your eligibility and register

For more information, contact the team at info@innonext-project.eu.