Open Opportunities

This page lists current calls, job vacancies and open opportunities that may be of interest to the innovation community. Scroll down for opportunities for startups, SMEs and R&I actors.

For startups and SMEs

Empowering the Next Gen of Angels: ESIL is dedicated to boosting Europe’s innovative ecosystems through the creation of a thriving, connected and diverse angel investment community across all the countries of Europe, whilst strengthening those markets where angel investment may still be lagging behind. ESIL is funded by the European Union through the European Innovation Council and SME Executive Agency (EISMEA). The program will be delivered by a consortium of seasoned ecosystem players, including META Group, BAE, and Bpifrance, all of whom are deeply embedded in Europe's investment and innovation landscapes. Read more

Erstfeld Innovation Accelerator: The Erstfeld Innovation Accelerator is a 30 day online coaching and workshop opportunity that inspires enhanced innovation strategies for businesses and professionals. The workshops are offered monthly, with the November intake applications open now. This accelerator prioritizes team-oriented work with groups of 5-15 people to enhance synergy and bring out the best in a group. More info.

EU-LAC Digital Accelertator: The EU-LAC Digital Accelerator works as a multi-sided platform that connects business opportunities from large corporations to startups and innovative SMEs, supporting these joint ventures up until an investment-ready stage and providing specific benefits for each of them. They offer in-kind services up to 30,000€ to expand new businesses in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. More information and submission

Eurostars: Eurostars is the largest international funding programme for SMEs wishing to collaborate on R&D projects that create innovative products, processes or services for commercialisation. Your consortium must spotlight an innovative SME as the main project participant. Applicants can choose project partners from SMEs, universities and research centres from any of the programme’s 37 participating countries. Organisations in non-participating countries can still join a Eurostars consortium. More info

Deadline: Ongoing

EIC Accelerator:The EIC Work Programme opens funding opportunities worth €1.13 billion. The EIC Accelerator supports individual small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in particular startups and spinout companies to develop and scaleup game-changing innovations. More info

Deadline: Ongoing

European Cluster Collaboration Platform: The European online hub for industry clusters is a European Union initiative to strengthen the European economy through collaboration. It is a wide information hub for clusters, offering access to the latest news, open call programmes, events, collaboration networks, and international cooperation opportunities. More info

Deadline: Ongoing

EU Startups Summit: The startup event connects founders, corporates, and startup enthusiasts alike to investors, VCs, and media of the region. Displaying Europe’s budding businesses shining with the most potential in a pitch competition with their on-stage programme. The two-day event starting on the 24th of April, 2025 will take place in prime Valletta, Malta where attendees have the chance to connect with over 1000 companies. More info. Applications for startups are now open.

Deadline: Ongoing

Funding and projects

Oxford Strategic Innovation Programme: Catered to professionals of any industry, this online 6-week programme provides skills ensuring innovation-focused strategies for business leaders to expertly tackle the future of their organisations. More info.

MIN Platform: The MIN Platform is a product of the INNO-MOB project, showcasing the opportunities that initiatives and networks provide to innovative and dynamic businesses within an inclusive mobility innovation European ecosystem. It serves as a comprehensive business support framework. Register here!

European Innovation Council Accelerator: Companies meeting the EIC criteria for excellence, impact and risk-level are invited to prepare full applications for grants of up to €2.5 million. This financial support also comes with a range of Business Acceleration Services, providing access to leading expertise, corporates, investors and ecosystem actors. More info

Deadline: Ongoing

EIT-EIC CollabPilot: Two funding opportunities are available for companies in the science/health fields. Ready for Investment will provide ventures with expert advice and support with a market value of €10,000 tailored to each business’ needs. Gold Track offers startups the chance to attend workshops with top science advisors, as well as present to hand-picked investors and industry partners. More info

Deadline: Various

IFC Projects: Any company or entreprenuer seeking funding can do so by approaching IFC directly. There is no standard project, application form or model that is expected, but the project must be aimed at the developing world whilst being environmentally and socially sound. More in fo

Deadline: Ongoing

The INGENIOUS project is an extensive programme design for the European industry to gain sovereignty, to drive competitive sustainability, to be the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050, and to shape Europe’s digital future. The INGENIOUS project serves as a lever for the companies to implement highly innovative solutions, to penetrate key markets, to attract critical mass of partners via three financial instruments: Innovation Grant, Training Grant, and Internationalization Grant. More info

Deadline: Ongoing

Researcher Project for Experienced Scientists (FRIPRO): Funding is intended to support scientific renewal and development in research that can help to advance the research front. This call targets researchers who have demonstrated the ability to conduct research of high scientific quality and applies to all disciplines and research areas. More info

Deadline: Open-ended

Global Innovation Fund: The GIF, is social impact-first investment vehicle that works with mission-aligned development agencies, philanthropy, and other funders to find and fund evidence-based innovations. GIF applications working in any sector in any developing country. Any type of organisation may apply. This includes social enterprises, for-profit companies, non-profit organisations, government agencies, international organisations, and research institutions in any country. It is recommended that individual innovators, entrepreneurs, or researchers apply through an affiliated organisation. More info

Deadline: Ongoing

Biodiversa+ 2024/5 joint call for transnational research projects:

The BiodivTransform Call supports interdisciplinary research projects addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution. It seeks to understand trade-offs and transformative processes to protect biodiversity and its benefits. Projects must demonstrate academic excellence and societal impact, covering all ecosystems and geographic areas, aiming to connect science, policy, and practice. For more information on eligibility and the application process, visit here.

Deadline: 8 November 2024

EIT HEI Initiative call for proposals open: The goal of this initiative is to boost research and technology transfer from higher education institutions (HEIs) while promoting business creation by reinforcing partnerships between HEIs and industry across Europe. Up to 42 projects will be funded, each with a duration of 25 months and a total budget of EUR 1.34 million, with the funding distributed over two phases.More info.

Deadline: 12 December 2024

Other

PTE Marketplace: DISRUPTIVE's international marketplace shows collaboration alerts related to the field of disruptive digital technologies. Companies and entities from anywhere in the world can participate in this marketplace by simply filling in a quick questionnaire where they explain what their alert consists of, whilst those seeking opportunities can find multiple chances for collaboration. More info

Deadline: Various