The DeepTechers

The DeepTechers program, part of the EIT Cross-KIC Strategic Outreach initiative, focuses on fostering collaboration between European and Israeli organizations in the deep tech sector. It aims to provide participants with professional tools and training to develop and scale sustainable deep tech ecosystems. Applications open on June 10, 2025, with a submission deadline of August 11, 2025, at 23:59 Brussels time. The program will last four days, and the total funding available is €15,000, likely to cover participation costs.

Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, SMEs, startups, large enterprises, nonprofits, and public-private partnerships involved in the deep tech ecosystem, particularly those affiliated with EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities. The funding type is a grant, and the program emphasizes collaborations, requiring partnerships between European and Israeli organizations.

The project specifically targets advanced sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and clean energy. The application process consists of an open call with a competitive selection based on several criteria: the impact of the applicant's organization (40%), professional experience and seniority (20%), relevance of the proposed project (20%), motivation (15%), and representation of underrepresented groups (5%). An online interview may also be part of the evaluation.

While specific success rates are not disclosed, the selection is competitive, suggesting a possibility of lower rates. Co-funding may be required for participants, as EIT KICs are expected to achieve financial sustainability through various means.

Overall, the DeepTechers program is designed to enhance collaboration and professional development in the deep tech sector, fostering projects that align with Horizon Europe funding opportunities. The structure emphasizes the importance of partnerships, innovation capacity, and the generation of impactful outcomes.

The DeepTechers program is a capsule program designed to provide participants with professional tools and models for developing and scaling a sustainable deep tech ecosystem. It aims to foster deep tech focused collaborations between European and Israeli organizations, leading to high impact EU-IL results.

The opening date for applications is June 10, 2025. The deadline for submitting applications is August 11, 2025, at 23:59 (Brussels time). The expected duration of participation is 4 days. The total funding available is 15,000.00 €. The project acronym is XKIC SO. The full name of the EU funded project is Cross-KIC Global Outreach. The grant agreement number is 101113201. The topic is HORIZON-EIT-2023-25-Cross-KIC-Strategic-Outreach - EIT Cross-KIC Strategic Outreach.

Applicants must submit their application through the official form by the stated deadline, accessible via the provided link. All submissions will be evaluated and ranked according to the following criteria:

1.  The impact of the applicant’s organisation and programme on the innovation ecosystem (40%)
2.  Professional role and seniority (20%)
3.  Relevance of the topic, idea, or partnership the applicant will focus on during the programme (20%)
4.  Motivation and added value to the programme (15%)
5.  Representation of underrepresented groups (5%)

An individual online interview may be conducted as an additional evaluation step. The selection process will be competitive and based on excellence and alignment with these criteria. The evaluation will be carried out by a Selection Committee composed of representatives from EIT Hub Israel and programme partners. Final approval will be made by the EIT Hub Israel Steering Committee, which includes members from six Knowledge and Innovation Communities (EIT Health, EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Manufacturing, EIT Digital, EIT Food, and EIT Culture & Creativity).

The main goals and expected outcomes of the DeepTechers program are:

1.  Provide concrete opportunities for forming deep tech focused collaborations between leading European and Israeli organisations around Horizon Europe funding opportunities and additional collaborative projects.
2.  Provide deep tech professional development training for organisations that support deep tech ventures growth, through interactive workshops, on-site training and mutual learning. The training will boost innovation capacity to better support and scale deep tech initiatives & startups across Europe.

The DeepTechers program is essentially a short, intensive program designed to boost collaboration between European and Israeli entities in the deep tech sector. It offers funding, training, and networking opportunities to help organizations develop and scale sustainable deep tech ecosystems. The program focuses on creating partnerships that can lead to successful applications for Horizon Europe funding and other collaborative projects. By providing professional development and fostering mutual learning, the program aims to enhance the innovation capacity of organizations supporting deep tech ventures and startups. The selection process is competitive, emphasizing the impact of the applicant's organization, their professional experience, the relevance of their proposed project, their motivation, and their representation of underrepresented groups.

Eligible Applicant Types: The description mentions "organisations that support deep tech ventures growth" and implies participation from both European and Israeli organizations. The evaluation criteria also consider the impact of the applicant's organization on the innovation ecosystem. Therefore, eligible applicant types likely include organizations supporting deep tech ventures, potentially encompassing SMEs, research institutes, incubators, accelerators, and other relevant entities involved in the deep tech ecosystem.

Funding Type: The opportunity is described as "GrantCascade funding" and is part of the "Cross-KIC Global Outreach" project. The total funding available is mentioned, suggesting a grant mechanism.

Consortium Requirement: The program aims to foster collaborations between European and Israeli organizations. While not explicitly stated, the emphasis on collaboration and partnerships suggests that a consortium or at least a partnership between organizations from these regions is highly encouraged, if not required.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The program explicitly targets organizations from Europe (EU) and Israel (IL). Therefore, the geographic eligibility is EU and Israel.

Target Sector: The program focuses on the "deep tech ecosystem." This includes sectors like advanced materials, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, and other technology-intensive fields requiring significant research and development.

Mentioned Countries: Israel.

Project Stage: The program aims to provide tools and models for "developing and scaling" a sustainable deep tech ecosystem. This suggests that the targeted projects are likely in the development, validation, demonstration, or scale-up stages. The focus is on supporting the growth of deep tech ventures, implying a level of maturity beyond the initial idea stage.

Funding Amount: The total funding available is €15,000. It is not clear how this funding is distributed, but it is likely intended to cover the participation costs for selected organizations in the 4-day program.

Application Type: Applicants must submit their application through an official online form by the stated deadline, indicating an open call with a single-stage application process.

Nature of Support: The program provides "professional tools and models," "support and mentorship," and "tailored sessions and workshops." This indicates a combination of non-monetary services and potentially some financial support to cover participation costs, given the total funding available.

Application Stages: The application process appears to be single-stage, as applicants submit their application through the official form by the stated deadline. An individual online interview may be conducted as an additional evaluation step.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned. However, the description states that "The selection process will be competitive and based on excellence and alignment with these criteria," suggesting that the success rate is likely to be below 10% to 39%.

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

Summary:

The DeepTechers program is a capsule program designed to foster collaboration between European and Israeli organizations in the deep tech sector. The program, funded under the Cross-KIC Global Outreach initiative, aims to provide participants with professional tools, mentorship, and training to develop and scale sustainable deep tech ecosystems. The program involves a 4-day participation period. The total funding available is €15,000, which likely covers participation costs for selected organizations. The application process is a single-stage open call, with submissions evaluated based on the applicant's impact on the innovation ecosystem, professional role, relevance of the topic, motivation, and representation of underrepresented groups. An online interview may be conducted as an additional evaluation step. The program seeks to provide concrete opportunities for forming deep tech focused collaborations and deep tech professional development training. The program is managed by EIT Hub Israel and involves several Knowledge and Innovation Communities (EIT Health, EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Manufacturing, EIT Digital, EIT Food, and EIT Culture & Creativity). The opening date is June 10, 2025, and the deadline is August 11, 2025.