Ignite NEB Open call for hosts

Ignite NEB Open Call for Hosts (EIT INNOBC, Grant Agreement 101268805) offers cascade funding to local hosts to deliver a 2+ day Ignite NEB event in September/October 2026 and an 8-month incubation for two winning teams. The total call budget is €208,000 with up to €52,000 implementation budget per selected host plus non-financial support such as mentors, promotion and peer networking. Applications open 23 March 2026 and must be submitted by 7 May 2026 17:00 Brussels time via the MyEITFood.eu portal, with the programme starting 1 July 2026. Eligible applicants are organising partners or consortia able to mobilise local communities and demonstrate entrepreneurial networks, experience supporting idea-to-prototype journeys, and adequate project, financial and administrative capacity.

What it funds

Grants to local hosts to run an Ignite NEB innovation journey:a 2+ day hackathon-style Ignite NEB event (ideation plus cultural celebration) to be delivered Sept/Oct 2026, followed by an 8-month incubation programme for the winning teams to develop prototypes, validate solutions with users and build business or implementation models.

Funding amounts:Implementation budget up to €52,000 per host; total call budget shown as €208,000. ¹

Who can apply

Organising partners or consortia (local organisations, NGOs, incubators, research organisations, municipalities or similar) with an entrepreneurial network, experience supporting idea-to-prototype journeys, capacity for project/financial administration and relevant NEB-related expertise (sustainability, design, culture, social innovation).

Key dates and how to apply

Opening date 23 March 2026. Submission deadline 7 May 2026, 17:00 CEST. Programme start 1 July 2026; event delivery expected Sept/Oct 2026.

Apply via the EIT NEB call page / MyEITFood.eu online application; required attachments include proof of incorporation, proof of revenue or investment and a completed budget template as specified in the call guidelines.

1. 1Deliver a 2+ day Ignite NEB event with ideation workshops, celebration activities and selection of two winning teams
2. 2Deliver an 8-month incubation programme to support winners to prototype, test, validate and develop business/implementation models
3. 3Participate in peer support, mentoring and an in-person gathering with EIT Community NEB

Selection and support:hosts receive the implementation budget plus tailored support from EIT Community NEB (peer group, event design and promotion support, assigned mentors for winning teams and access to wider NEB pipelines).

Footnotes

1. 1Call and application details (guidelines, evaluation criteria, templates and portal link) are available on the EIT Community NEB call page: Ignite NEB Open call for hosts.

Basic administrative data

Call title:Ignite NEB Open call for hosts. Project acronym: EIT INNOBC. Full name of EU funded project: INNOVATION AND BUSINESS CREATION XKIC 2026-2028. Grant agreement number: 101268805. Call type: Multi-Topic Call / Cascade funding managed by EIT INNOBC under HORIZON-EIT. Opening date: 23 March 2026. Deadline (single-stage): 7 May 2026, 17:00 Brussels time (17:00 CEST on some pages). Start of programme: 1 July 2026. Delivery window for the local Ignite NEB event: September/October 2026. Expected activity: host an event plus run an 8-month incubation programme for winners.

Total and per-host funding:Total funding available under this call: €208,000. Maximum implementation budget offered per selected host: up to €52,000.

What the host must deliver (Task description)

The host delivers two linked components:(1) a local Ignite NEB event (Ideation + Celebration) and (2) an 8-month incubation programme for the winning teams from the event.

1. 1Ignite NEB event: a local, inspiring, 2+ day hackathon-style experience that combines celebration (art, culture, performances) with ideation workshops running challenge → solution → pitch. Core elements include pre-event sessions (training, team formation, challenge definition), challenge owners (cities, NGOs, industry), coaches and mentors, and a jury that selects two winning teams/ideas. The local event should take place in September or October 2026.
2. 28-month incubation programme: support for the two winning teams to develop ideas, build and test prototypes, validate or co-design solutions with real users, develop business or implementation models, engage stakeholders and communities, and help create new SMEs, start-ups or initiatives.

Who should apply and eligibility

The call targets local organising partners or consortia capable of delivering the event and subsequent incubation. Applicants must demonstrate entrepreneurial networks, capacity to support teams from idea to prototype and real-world testing, experience in NEB-related fields and local ecosystems, and sufficient project, financial and administrative management capacity.

1. 1Eligible applicant types (explicit and implied from call text): local organisations, public authorities (cities, municipal bodies), NGOs and civil society organisations, research organisations and universities, innovation hubs and incubators, SMEs and private organisations acting as hosts, cultural organisations, consortia of the above.
2. 2Consortium requirement: the call accepts single hosts or organising partners organised as consortia. The description explicitly invites organising partners or consortia.

Geographic and thematic scope

Beneficiary scope:Europe (EIT Community NEB activities across Europe). The opportunity is aimed at hosts across Europe working in local ecosystems; the call and programme are run by the EIT Community New European Bauhaus (EIT NEB).

Target sectors and thematic focus:Primary thematic sectors: sustainability and the green transition, design and built environment (New European Bauhaus values), culture and arts, social innovation, urban development and mobility, climate, and food systems (reflecting the involvement of EIT Urban Mobility, Climate-KIC and EIT Food). The call supports projects combining creativity, inclusion and environmental sustainability.

What the host receives (Support provided)

1. 1Financial support: up to €52,000 implementation budget per selected host (subgrant).
2. 2Non-financial support from EIT Community NEB including: peer group participation with other hosts across Europe; support in event design and promotion; assignment of EIT Community NEB mentors to winning teams; exchange with other programmes to access downstream pipelines; and participation in an in-person gathering with NEB Changemakers across Europe.

Application and submission process

Application model:single-stage open call. Applicants submit an online application via the specified portal (MyEITFood.eu as entry point for the application form). Required uploads include proof of incorporation, proof of revenue or investment, and a completed budget template following section 3.4 Funding in the call guidelines.

How to apply:Steps: 1) Go to MyEITFood.eu and access the online application form; 2) Complete the online application form and upload required documents (proof of incorporation; proof of revenue or investment; filled budget template as required by call guidelines); 3) Submit the application by 7 May 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. Take into account the call manual evaluation criteria when preparing the application. A subgrant agreement template is available for download.

Required application documents and templates

Documents explicitly required in the call text:proof of incorporation; proof of revenue or investment; filled in budget template following requirements in section 3.4 Funding of the call guidelines. Additional supporting documents are likely detailed in the call manual (evaluation criteria) and the downloadable subgrant agreement template. Applicants must follow the budget template format provided by the call.

Selection, evaluation and timeline

1. 1Call opening: 23 March 2026.
2. 2Deadline for applications: 7 May 2026, 17:00 Brussels time.
3. 3Start of programme for selected hosts: 1 July 2026.
4. 4Local Ignite NEB events to be delivered in September/October 2026.
5. 5Winning teams from each event enter an 8-month incubation programme immediately following selection at local events.
6. 6Evaluation model for host selection: single-stage evaluation of submitted proposals according to criteria in the call manual (applicants are advised to consult the Call manual for full evaluation criteria).

Project maturity and expected outcomes

Project stage targeted by the call:early-stage idea and concept development progressing to prototype, validation and potential early commercialisation or implementation. The Ignite NEB event identifies teams with viable ideas; the incubation programme supports development, prototype testing, user validation and business or implementation model development, potentially leading to new SMEs, start-ups or initiatives.

Nature of support and co-funding

Nature of support:combined monetary (subgrant implementation budget up to €52,000 per host) and non-monetary services (mentors, peer networks, promotion support, access to downstream programmes). Co-funding requirement: the public call text requires submission of a budget template and proof of revenue or investment, but it does not explicitly state a mandatory co-funding percentage in the scraped text. Applicants should consult section 3.4 Funding of the call guidelines for precise co-funding rules; based on provided information, no explicit co-funding percentage is stated in the summary.

Consortia, partners and roles expected

The call welcomes single hosts or multi-actor consortia. Ideal applicants/consortia bring:entrepreneurial networks (incubators, investors, business support); experience supporting teams from idea to prototype and real-world testing; experience in NEB-related fields (sustainability, design, culture, social innovation); connections with local ecosystems spanning public, private and civil society actors; and capacity for project, financial and administrative management to deliver events and incubation activities.

Evaluation stages and success rates

Application stages:single-stage submission for host selection. Internally, the local Ignite NEB event includes a separate jury process that selects two winning teams per event for incubation, but that is part of event delivery rather than the host selection procedure. Success rates: the scraped material does not include explicit historical or expected success rate statistics for applicants. No success rate or quota per country is provided in the available text.

Explicit applicant requirements and obligations

1. 1Demonstrate capacity to organise a 2+ day hackathon-style ideation and celebration event and to run an 8-month incubation for winning teams.
2. 2Provide required documentation: proof of legal incorporation, proof of revenue or investment (to demonstrate financial standing), completed budget template aligned with call guidelines, and any other documents specified in the call manual.
3. 3Commit to delivering the local event in September/October 2026 and to providing structured incubation to the two winning teams.
4. 4Agree to the terms in the subgrant agreement template that can be downloaded from the call page.

Application form structure and templates (as provided in call information)

Application method:online application form accessible via MyEITFood.eu. The call requests specific uploaded documentation. A budget template and a subgrant agreement template are provided for applicants to download. The call manual contains the evaluation criteria and funding section (3.4) that defines how to complete the budget template and other financial details. Applicants should structure their application to address the evaluation criteria in the call manual and attach the mandatory documents.

Mentioned countries and region

No specific countries are named in the scraped material. The call is targeted at hosts across Europe and is operated by the EIT Community New European Bauhaus covering European (EU/Europe) actors.

Where to find official documents and application portal

Applicants must use the official application link and consult the call manual and templates. See the EIT NEB call page and the portal for downloads and submission. For application access and submission use the MyEITFood.eu entry point and the official opportunity page on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal EU Funding & Tenders Portal EIT NEB call page ¹.

Comprehensive summary — What is this opportunity about?

Ignite NEB Open call for hosts funds and supports local organisations across Europe to host a linked ideation and incubation journey aligned with New European Bauhaus values. Selected hosts will run a 2+ day hackathon-style Ignite NEB event combining celebration, arts and culture with ideation workshops that produce two winning teams. Those winning teams receive an 8-month incubation package to develop prototypes, validate solutions with users, and build business or implementation models with the goal of creating lasting community impact and potentially new start-ups or initiatives. The call provides up to €52,000 per host (total pool €208,000) plus non-financial support from the EIT Community NEB (mentors, peer groups, promotion and links to downstream programmes). The call is a single-stage open submission requiring an online application through MyEITFood.eu, mandatory uploads (proof of incorporation, proof of revenue or investment, and a completed budget template), and adherence to evaluation criteria set out in the call manual. The programme timeline: applications close 7 May 2026, selected hosts start 1 July 2026, local events are to be delivered in September/October 2026, followed by an 8-month incubation. Eligible applicants include single organisations or consortia from local ecosystems (public bodies, NGOs, universities, incubators, SMEs, cultural organisations) with demonstrated entrepreneurial networks, experience in NEB-related fields, and the administrative and financial capacity to deliver both the event and the incubation programme.

Footnotes

1. 1Official call information, templates, application form and call manual are available on the EIT Community NEB call page and the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Applicants must consult the call manual and section 3.4 Funding for budget template instructions.

This is a cascade funding opportunity under the EIT INNOBC project (INNOVATION AND BUSINESS CREATION XKIC 2026-2028, Grant Agreement 101268805) managed by the EIT Community New European Bauhaus (NEB). It seeks local hosts to organize Ignite NEB events and follow-on incubation programmes promoting sustainability, inclusion, and beauty in line with New European Bauhaus principles.

Key Dates

Opening date:23 March 2026. Application deadline: 7 May 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time (single-stage submission). Programme start: 1 July 2026. Ignite NEB events to be held in September/October 2026, followed by an 8-month incubation period.

Funding Details

Total funding available:€208,000.

Per host:Up to €52,000 implementation budget.

Additional non-financial support includes peer networking with other European hosts, event design and promotion assistance, EIT Community NEB mentors for winning teams, programme exchanges, and an in-person gathering with NEB changemakers.

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

Open to organising partners or consortia with capacity to mobilise local communities. Ideal applicants have entrepreneurial networks, experience supporting teams from idea to prototype and real-world testing, expertise in NEB-related fields (sustainability, design, culture, social innovation), access to mentors and prototyping spaces, connections to local ecosystems (public, private, civil society), and strong project, financial, and administrative management capabilities.

Host Responsibilities

1. Ignite NEB Event (Ideation + Celebration)

Organise a local 2+ day hackathon-style event including NEB Celebration (art, culture, performances), ideation workshops (challenge to solution to pitch), participation from citizens, changemakers, challenge owners (e.g., cities, NGOs, industry), coaches and mentors, pre-event sessions (training, team formation, challenge definition), and jury selection of two winning teams/ideas. Event must occur in September/October 2026.

2. 8-Month Incubation Programme

• Develop ideas from winning teams
• Build and test prototypes
• Validate or co-design solutions with real users
• Develop business or implementation models
• Engage stakeholders and communities
• Support creation of new SMEs, start-ups, or initiatives

Application Process

1. 1Apply via MyEITFood.eu by completing the online application form.
2. 2Upload required documents: proof of incorporation, proof of revenue or investment, filled budget template per section 3.4 Funding in call guidelines.
3. 3Review evaluation criteria in the Call manual.
4. 4Submit by 7 May 2026, 17:00 CEST.

Primary opportunity page:EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Additional resources: EIT NEB Community website Ignite NEB Open Call. Download subgrant agreement template from the application platform.

Programme Context

Part of EIT Community NEB initiatives by EIT Urban Mobility, Climate-KIC, EIT Food, and EIT Manufacturing. Aims to empower changemakers to address local challenges through citizen-centred innovation, turning ideas into viable projects, start-ups, or initiatives that embody NEB values.

Info session:9 April 2026 (check EIT sites for details¹). Content subject to change; consult official sources.

Footnotes

1. 1Information from EIT websites; verify latest details on MyEITFood.eu or EU Funding Portal.