Strategic Innovation Open call

The Strategic Innovation Open Call, part of the EIT Urban Mobility Business Plan for 2023-2025, offers a total budget of €60 million to support innovative solutions addressing urban mobility challenges. The call's main priority is to accelerate the adoption of these solutions by funding projects that exhibit a clear path to market and are ready for deployment. Applicants are encouraged to be part of a consortium, which should include various stakeholders such as cities, academic institutions, and enterprises.

Eligible applicant types include startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large companies, research institutions, universities, cities, public authorities, and non-profits. The call is primarily grant-based, with funds intended to assist in the commercialization and demonstration stages of projects.

The funding model features multiple application deadlines, specifically set for 23 September 2025 and 23 February 2026. The geographic eligibility aligns with Horizon Europe standards, incorporating EU Member States and associated countries.

The call stresses the importance of sustainable transport innovations, digital technologies, and smart city solutions. While specific funding amounts for individual projects are not disclosed, the total budget allows for a broad range of project funding possibilities.

Applications are to be submitted via the EIT Urban Mobility NetSuite platform, and proposals will be evaluated based on predefined criteria outlined in the Call Manual. Co-funding is likely expected based on standard practices within EIT frameworks, although not explicitly mentioned.

Overall, this call serves as a substantial opportunity for entities within the urban mobility sector, focusing on impactful solutions that contribute to sustainable city development and address pressing transportation issues.

The EIT Urban Mobility Strategic Innovation Open Call is an EU funding opportunity designed to support the EIT Urban Mobility's mission and vision by investing in innovative solutions, products, and services that address pressing urban mobility challenges. The primary goal is to accelerate the adoption of impactful innovations by reducing the risks associated with development and large-scale deployment. The call specifically targets tested solutions with a clear path to market, aiming to enable cities and mobility providers to confidently procure and scale proven innovations. It also provides opportunities for innovators to refine their offerings in real-world settings, ensuring they are ready for widespread implementation and long-term impact.

The call falls under the Business Plan 2026-2028, which is subject to formal approval by the EIT. The conditions and funding allocation for this call may be subject to change.

Key details of the call are as follows:

Opening date: 19 June 2025
Deadline model: Multiple cut-off
Deadline dates:
23 September 2025, 17:00 (Brussels time)
23 February 2026, 17:00 (Brussels time)
Total funding available: 60,000,000.00 EUR
Project acronym: EITUM-BP23-25
Full name of the EU funded project: EIT Urban Mobility Business Plan 2023-2025
Grant agreement number: 101112673
Topic: HORIZON-EIT-2023-25-KIC-EITURBANMOBILITY - EIT Urban Mobility Business Plan 2023-2025

Applicants are required to submit proposals using the EIT Urban Mobility NetSuite platform. Proposals will be evaluated based on pre-defined evaluation criteria, following the evaluation process described in Section 5 of the Call Manual.

In summary, this open call seeks to fund innovative urban mobility solutions that are ready for deployment and scaling. It aims to bridge the gap between innovation and practical implementation by supporting projects that have already demonstrated potential and are poised to make a significant impact on urban mobility challenges. The funding is substantial, and the multiple cut-off dates provide flexibility for applicants. The call is aligned with the EIT Urban Mobility's broader strategic goals and is intended to foster collaboration between innovators, cities, and mobility providers.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity targets innovators, cities, and mobility providers. The specific types of eligible applicants are not explicitly defined in the provided text, but it can be inferred that the call is open to a range of entities involved in urban mobility, including potentially startups, SMEs, large enterprises, research institutions, and public sector organizations.

Funding Type: Cascade funding is explicitly mentioned. The primary financial mechanism is a grant, as indicated by the grant agreement number and the reference to funding allocation.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. Further details would be needed from the Call Manual or other documentation.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The text does not specify geographic eligibility. Given that it is an EIT Urban Mobility call, it is likely focused on EU member states and potentially associated countries. Further details would be needed from the Call Manual or other documentation.

Target Sector: The program targets the urban mobility sector. It focuses on innovative solutions, products, and services that address urban mobility challenges.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned. The call is related to EIT Urban Mobility, which implies a focus on the European Union.

Project Stage: The opportunity targets tested solutions with a clear path to market, implying projects at the validation, demonstration, or commercialization stage. The focus is on derisking development and large-scale deployment, suggesting that projects should be beyond the initial research phase.

Funding Amount: The total funding available is 60,000,000.00 €. The funding range for individual projects is not specified in the provided text.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, specifically a Strategic Innovation Open Call. The deadline model is multiple cut-off.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money through grants and cascade funding.

Application Stages: The text mentions pre-defined evaluation criteria and an evaluation process described in Section 5 of the Call Manual, but it does not specify the exact number of stages.

Success Rates: The text does not provide information on success rates.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary:

This is a Strategic Innovation Open Call by EIT Urban Mobility, aiming to invest in innovative solutions for urban mobility challenges. The call seeks to accelerate the adoption of impactful innovations by supporting tested solutions with a clear path to market. The total funding available is 60,000,000.00 €. The call is open to innovators, cities, and mobility providers, and it targets projects at the validation, demonstration, or commercialization stage. The application process involves submitting proposals through the EIT Urban Mobility NetSuite platform, and proposals will be evaluated based on pre-defined criteria. The call has multiple cut-off dates, with deadlines on 23 September 2025 and 23 February 2026. The funding is provided through grants and cascade funding. The call falls under the Business Plan 2026-2028, which is subject to formal approval by the EIT, and the conditions and funding allocation may change.