EIT STEM Tech Talent Induction 2026: up to EUR 80,000 for STEM training programmes
Verified by the editorial team 28 October 2026
Added to the catalogue Added to the catalogue from the 20 October GetGrant export, terms verified on the EIT STEM Tech Talent Induction call page, the call text and FAQ
Summary
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology, through the 28DIGITAL community, offers up to EUR 80,000 to consortia of education providers and businesses for induction training in sciences, ICT and engineering. Education partners can include schools, VET providers and NGOs, including from Ukraine. Applications are accepted until 14 December 2026.
About the call
EIT STEM Tech Talent Induction is an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology delivered by its Knowledge and Innovation Communities and led by 28DIGITAL. The 2026 call funds induction activities that introduce people to STEM subjects, technologies and careers and help them move on to further learning, employment or entrepreneurship. Formats are flexible: short courses, modules within VET and university programmes, industry challenges and hackathons, regional STEM labs, re-induction programmes or online platforms. Each course must include at least 10 hours of structured learning.
The total budget is EUR 2 million, and up to 25 projects will receive up to EUR 80,000 each. Funding reimburses actual costs and is paid in four instalments after reports are approved, with indirect costs covered at a 25% flat rate. Applications come from a consortium with at least one education provider (school, VET provider, university, NGO, training organisation) and at least one business or industry partner. Each project must reach at least 1,200 participants, 30% of them from EIT Regional Innovation Scheme countries and 40% women and girls. The priority is learners at ISCED levels 3-5, especially VET, as well as space and artificial intelligence topics.
Ukraine is associated to Horizon Europe, so Ukrainian organisations can be funded as beneficiaries, except those registered in temporarily occupied territories. For education NGOs, schools and VET providers this is a chance to partner with IT companies or industry associations and launch courses for young people, IDPs and veterans who want a technical career. Projects run from 1 April to 31 December 2027, so the plan must be realistic about recruiting 1,200 learners within nine months.
Who can apply
- Consortia with at least one education provider: school, VET provider, university, NGO, training or EdTech organisation
- Plus at least one business or industry partner: company, startup, industry association, digital innovation hub
- Legal entities from EU Member States and countries associated to Horizon Europe, including Ukraine
- Membership of the 28DIGITAL partnership is not required
- Regional or public actors and partners from other countries are encouraged
Who cannot apply
- Single organisations without a consortium including an education and an industry partner
- Organisations established in Russia, Belarus or temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine
- Organisations in exclusion situations under the EU Financial Regulation (bankruptcy, tax arrears and similar)
What the funds are for
- Induction training in natural sciences, mathematics, ICT, engineering, manufacturing and construction
- Short modular courses and STEM modules within VET and university programmes
- Industry challenges, hackathons, regional STEM labs and re-induction programmes
- Courses on space technologies and artificial intelligence
- Engaging women, girls and other groups underrepresented in STEM
What is not funded
- Basic digital literacy courses (office software, everyday device use) without STEM content
- Courses with less than 10 hours of structured learning
Documents required
Forms and templates are on the call page
- Application in English on the 28DIGITAL submission platform
- PIC number of every beneficiary from the European Commission Funding & Tenders portal
- Detailed budget by cost category (personnel, subcontracting, travel, equipment, other goods and services)
- Declaration of honour on exclusion criteria and absence of conflict of interest from every partner
How to apply
- 1Read the call text, FAQ and EIT STEM Competence Framework on the call page
- 2Register every partner on the Funding & Tenders portal and obtain a PIC number
- 3Build a consortium with an education and an industry partner and prepare the budget
- 4Create an account and submit the application in English on the 28DIGITAL platform by 14 December 2026, 17:00 CET
- 5Expect results on 12 February 2027; projects start on 1 April 2027
Timeline
Questions and answers
- Can a Ukrainian school or NGO apply to EIT STEM Tech Talent Induction?
- Yes. Ukraine is associated to Horizon Europe, so Ukrainian organisations can be beneficiaries. The application must come from a consortium with at least one education provider and at least one business or industry partner.
- How many learners must an EIT STEM project reach?
- At least 1,200 participants, with around 30% from EIT Regional Innovation Scheme countries and 40% women and girls. Each course must include at least 10 hours of learning.
Change history
- Added: Added to the catalogue from the 20 October GetGrant export, terms verified on the EIT STEM Tech Talent Induction call page, the call text and FAQ
Donor contacts
Email: proposal_support@28digital.eu
Website: eitstemtalent.eu
