Help the EIT Drive Innovation in Europe

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is looking for innovators to help Europe transition to a greener, healthier and more sustainable future. The EIT is selecting up to four new members for its Governing Board, and the Call of Expression of Interest is now open. Applicants have until 30 September 2020 to express interest and help drive innovation in Europe.

The EIT Governing Board consists of 12 European innovation leaders appointed by the European Commission for a four-year mandate. The Board is independent in its decision-making and provides the EIT’s strategic leadership. More specifically, the Board is responsible for the selection, designation and evaluation of the EIT’s Knowledge and Innovation Communities.

The EIT is the EU’s most experienced and largest innovation network, powering innovators and entrepreneurs across Europe to deliver unique solutions to pressing global challenges. The Institute makes innovation happen through a distinctive model that supports the development of long-term European partnerships – EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities – where businesses, education and research closely cooperate.

Since 2010, the EIT Community has brought over 900 new products and services to the market, trained thousands of entrepreneurs and has backed over 2 000 ventures that have attracted EUR 1.5 billion in external investment. Meet some of the EIT Community supported entrepreneurs.

The European Commission has presented the EIT’s strategy for 2021 to 2027 that will further increase the EIT’s ambition and mandate.

About the Selection Process

The selection procedure begins with this Call for Expressions of Interest. Each member has a four-year, non-renewable mandate and Members are appointed in a personal capacity, acting independently and in the public interest.

Following the closure of the Call on 30 September 2020, a Steering Committee will evaluate the submissions and interview the highest-scoring candidates. The Steering Committee will then prepare a shortlist of candidates to be proposed as new members. The EIT Governing Board will assess and approve the shortlist and forward it to the European Commission.

The new members of the Governing Board will be appointed through a Commission Decision, expected in 2021. In its appointments, the Commission gives regard to the balance between higher education, research, innovation and business experience as well as to gender and geographical balance.

More information is available in the EIT Governing Board’s decision on the selection procedure here. For the deadline for applications, please visit here.