Call for Applications: 2026 Catalyse NEB

The Catalyse NEB - Open Call 2026 is an initiative aimed at early-stage startups focused on implementing New European Bauhaus (NEB) principles, which are centered around sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion. This program is specifically targeting startups that have been incorporated after January 1, 2020, and are registered in EU Member States, Overseas Countries and Territories linked to the EU, or Horizon Europe-associated countries. Culture and creative sectors are actively encouraged to apply, and special consideration is given to startups from Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) countries. Past participants of the Grow NEB programme also have a reserved application slot.

The funding for the selected applicants includes a grant of €50,000 per startup, contributing to a total budget of €1,000,000 to support 20 startups through subgrants and in-kind services. The combination of monetary support and non-financial services, such as tailored mentorship and workshops, positions this program as a holistic development opportunity rather than just a financial grant.

The application process is single-stage and requires submission via the Award Force platform, opening on October 27, 2025, with a deadline set for January 19, 2026. The evaluation process consists of multiple stages, including an eligibility check and substantive evaluations to assess alignment with NEB values and scalability potential. All applicants must also sign a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE).

The selection emphasizes supporting ventures that address identifiable social challenges and have demonstrated prior traction, either by showing a minimum revenue threshold of €5,000 in 2024 or previous investments of at least €10,000. The aim is to produce measurable outcomes and demonstrate scalability.

In summary, the goal of this initiative is to foster innovation aligned with the NEB principles while providing substantial support to early-stage ventures. The program aims to commence in May 2026, following a structured application and selection process designed to actively engage and elevate promising startups within Europe.

The Call for Applications: 2026 Catalyse NEB is a call for applicants to join the 2026 cohort of the EIT Community New European Bauhaus (NEB)’s Catalyse NEB programme, a start-up accelerator designed for ventures focused on implementing NEB values across Europe. The opening date for this call is October 27, 2025, and the deadline for submissions is January 19, 2026, at 17:00 (Brussels time). This is a single-stage submission process. The expected duration of participation is 7 months.

A total funding of 1,000,000.00 EUR is available. The project acronym is Strategic Synergies, and the full name of the EU-funded project is Strategic Synergies Cluster XKIC BP 23-25 Proposal. The grant agreement number is 101113151. The topic is HORIZON-EIT-2023-25-Cross-KIC-Strategic-Synergies - EIT Cross-KIC Strategic Synergies.

All proposals and required documents must be submitted via the Award Force platform. Section 4 of the Call Manual provides detailed guidance on the application process. The evaluation process includes an eligibility check, a first round of evaluations, SAFE confirmation, and a second round of evaluations. Further details on the evaluation and selection process can be found in section 5 of the Call Manual, which is published on Awards Force.

The call aims to select 20 start-ups, each receiving EUR 50,000 of EIT Community NEB funding through subgrants and in-kind services. The activities of these start-ups should address specific social challenges, provide measurable outcomes, and demonstrate scalability. More details can be found in sections 2 and 3 of the Call Manual. The call is open to start-ups established in EU Member States, the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States, and Horizon Europe-associated countries. Eligibility criteria are detailed in sections 3 and 5.1 of the Call Manual. Additional information and application instructions are available on the application portal (Award Force). The call is subject to confirmation of EIT funding.

The Call Manual (available on Award Force) contains all relevant information regarding the strategic focus of the call, eligibility criteria, application procedures, the evaluation and selection process, available services, and the call timeline. The annexes provide further details on the EIT Community’s mission, programmes, and strategic focus areas, along with the NEB values, challenges, principles, eligibility criteria, and conditions.

Culture and creative sectors and industries are encouraged to apply. Start-ups registered in RIS (Regional Innovation Scheme) countries are also encouraged to apply. Entities that have participated in other activities implemented within the framework of the EIT Community NEB are welcome to apply. A dedicated slot will be reserved for past participants in the Grow NEB programme (Annex 1.2). The cohort will consist of 20 start-ups, with 18 selected through the standard selection process and 2 selected from applications submitted by participants in the EIT Community’s Grow NEB programme.

In summary, this opportunity is a call for start-ups to participate in the EIT Community New European Bauhaus (NEB)’s Catalyse NEB programme. It is a start-up accelerator program that supports ventures working to implement NEB values across Europe. The program provides funding, in-kind services, and acceleration support to 20 selected start-ups. The call is open to start-ups from EU Member States, Overseas Countries and Territories, and Horizon Europe-associated countries. The selection process involves multiple stages, including eligibility checks and evaluations. The program aims to support activities that address social challenges, provide measurable outcomes, and demonstrate scalability. Culture and creative industries are particularly encouraged to apply, as are start-ups from RIS countries and past participants in EIT Community NEB activities, especially the Grow NEB program. The goal is to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in line with the New European Bauhaus values of sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant type for this opportunity is start-ups. Specifically, the call targets start-ups established in EU Member States, the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States, and Horizon Europe-associated countries. Culture and creative sectors and industries are encouraged to apply. Start-ups registered in RIS countries are also encouraged to apply. Entities that have participated in other activities implemented in the framework of the EIT Community NEB are encouraged to apply, with a dedicated slot secured for past participants in the Grow NEB programme.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically subgrants, combined with in-kind services.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity is designed for single applicants, specifically individual start-ups.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States, the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States, and Horizon Europe-associated countries. Start-ups registered in RIS (Regional Innovation Scheme) countries are encouraged to apply.

Target Sector: The program targets sectors aligned with the New European Bauhaus (NEB) values. Culture and creative sectors and industries are specifically encouraged to apply. The activities should address specific social challenges, provide measurable outcomes, and demonstrate scalability.

Mentioned Countries: EU Member States, Horizon Europe-associated countries, and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States are mentioned. RIS countries are also mentioned, referring to countries participating in the Regional Innovation Scheme.

Project Stage: The project stage is not explicitly stated, but given that it is a start-up accelerator program (Catalyse NEB), the expected maturity of the project is likely in the development, validation, or demonstration phase, aiming for scale-up.

Funding Amount: The funding amount is EUR 50,000 per start-up. A total of 20 start-ups will be selected, resulting in a total funding allocation of EUR 1,000,000.

Application Type: The application type is an open call. All proposals and required documents must be submitted via the Award Force platform.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive both money (EUR 50,000 subgrants) and non-monetary services (in-kind services).

Application Stages: The application process includes multiple stages: an eligibility check, a first round of evaluations, SAFE confirmation, and a second round of evaluations. Therefore, there are at least 4 stages.

Success Rates: The success rate can be estimated based on the number of start-ups selected (20) relative to the total number of applications received, which is not specified in the provided text. Without knowing the number of applications, it is impossible to determine the success rate.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary:

This opportunity is a call for applications to the 2026 cohort of the EIT Community New European Bauhaus (NEB)’s Catalyse NEB programme, which is a start-up accelerator designed for ventures working to implement NEB values across Europe. The program aims to support 20 start-ups with EUR 50,000 each through subgrants and in-kind services. The call is open to start-ups established in EU Member States, the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States, and Horizon Europe-associated countries. Culture and creative sectors and industries are particularly encouraged to apply, as are start-ups registered in RIS countries and entities that have participated in other activities implemented in the framework of the EIT Community NEB, with a dedicated slot for past participants in the Grow NEB programme. The selected start-ups will participate in a 7-month program. The application process involves multiple stages, including an eligibility check, first and second rounds of evaluations, and SAFE confirmation. The total funding available for this call is EUR 1,000,000. The application deadline is January 19, 2026, at 17:00 (Brussels time). The application must be submitted via the Award Force platform, and detailed guidance is available in the Call Manual. The program seeks activities that address specific social challenges, provide measurable outcomes, and demonstrate scalability.