Press Release

EIT RawMaterials launches expanded Open Calls for European Innovation and Education projects

  • Calls offer funding to Innovation and capacity-building, EU Regional Innovation Scheme initiatives, Education and Skills projects
  • Upscaling call will provide up to €2.5mn per project, designed to accelerate the path to Critical Raw Materials Act (CRM Act) targets
  • Education calls focus on key industry focus areas, including management in raw materials, social license, and development of specialised courses for the sector
  • EIT RawMaterials is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union

Berlin, 16.12.2024: EIT RawMaterials has launched a new series of open calls for innovation, upscaling, education and skills projects across the raw materials value chain. The calls aim to provide strategic funding for transformative projects that address key challenges across the raw materials value chain, and offer a mechanism to drive collaboration between industry, educational institutions, research organisations, SMEs, and start-ups.

Speaking on the new call strategy, Bernd Schäfer, CEO, Managing Director, EIT RawMaterials said: “Over the last decade, EIT RawMaterials has invested over €600 million into innovation, education, and related projects – supporting over 1,400 pilots, prototypes, and demonstrator plants, 800 startups – helping bring 300 products to market and creating 40 spin-off businesses. Our new funding calls will help accelerate innovation and industrialisation of new technology and solutions across the raw materials value chain, hand-in-hand with skilling the industry's workforce and our future talent to maximise impact and underpin Europe's future industrial competitiveness.”

The new calls are designed to support the aims of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) and Net Zero Act, by accelerating the development, scaling, and commercialisation of breakthrough technologies that will strengthen Europe’s raw materials value chain and equip Europe’s workforce with the new skills and experience needed to underpin a resilient and competitive European industrial base.

New Calls

KAVA 13 – Call for Upscaling projects: This call focuses on advancing the scaling of proven technologies in the raw materials sector. It is specifically aimed at projects moving to demonstration and commercialisation phases. Each project can request funding up to €2.5 million. More information.

KAVA 13 – Call for RIS Innovation projects: This call aims to support proven technologies within the raw materials sector in Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) countries. Projects must involve at least two RIS countries or regions and focus on testing, demonstration, or upscaling for commercialisation. Eligible applicants include research institutions, industrial partners, and educational institutions. Projects run in two phases, with up to €1 million funding available per project. More information.

KAVA 13 – Call for RIS Capacity Building Projects: This call supports capacity-building projects to boost raw materials innovation in RIS countries and solve raw materials sector-related challenges. It focuses on regional impact and sustainable ecosystem expansion. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutions, SMEs, and local/regional authorities. More information.

Education – Call for Global MBA in Materials Management: Aiming to create the next generation of leaders in the raw materials sector, this call invites consortia from academia, research, and industry to develop a Global MBA programme in Materials Management. The goal is to equip participants with specialised business and leadership skills tailored to address a critical skills gap in the rapidly growing raw and advanced materials sector. The selected consortia will receive up to €2 million to develop the programme. More information.

Education – Call for Development of a Digital Transformation Learning Portfolio: This call invites proposals for a “Digital Transformation Learning Portfolio,” to enhance the digital literacy of professionals in the raw materials sector. Topics include smart mining and circular economy technologies, 3D printing, AI, IoT, blockchain, robotics, and digital twins. Consortia from academia, research organisations, and industry across EU Horizon Europe countries can apply for funding up to €1.5 million. More information.

Education – Call for Social License to Operate (SLO) Hub: This call invites proposals for a Social License to Operate (SLO) Hub, which will deliver training and consulting on community engagement and sustainability. Selected consortia, with members from academia, research, and industry across multiple countries, will receive funding of up to €800,000 to realise this initiative. More information.

Education – Call for Raw and Circular Economy Expedition (RACE) for Executives: Designed for senior leaders and entrepreneurs, this programme provides a high-level educational experience through visits to innovation labs and state-of-the-art facilities worldwide, promoting an understanding of the raw materials value chain. Funding up to €500,000 is available for the selected consortium, which must be able to demonstrate expertise in executing large-scale, impactful educational events and have access to high-level speakers, facilities, and companies for site visits. More information.

Media Contact

EIT RawMaterials
Elisabeth Ippel
Communications Manager
elisabeth.ippel@eitrawmaterials.eu

About EIT RawMaterials

EIT RawMaterials is the largest and most active raw materials knowledge and innovation network globally, comprising over 300 partner organisations across the entire raw materials value chain. EIT RawMaterials demonstrates its dedication to advancing and supporting a circular economy in Europe by fostering innovation, collaboration, and sustainable practices. Mandated by the European Commission, EIT RawMaterials leads the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA), which includes more than 750 members and an advanced project pipeline of over 40 projects, representing an investment potential of more than €25 billion.

Supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, EIT RawMaterials was established in 2015 to advance Europe’s transition to a sustainable economy. Its mission is to secure a sustainable supply of raw materials for Europe, close material loops, and design innovative product solutions, with the goal of positioning raw materials as a strategic strength for Europe through innovation, education, and entrepreneurship.

Since its founding, EIT RawMaterials has deployed over €600 million in direct strategic funding to support more than 800 projects and start-ups. These initiatives, including ERMA projects, have leveraged additional funding of €5 billion from external sources, creating a cumulative impact of more than €5.5 billion in critical and strategic raw materials projects, technologies, and programmes across Europe and beyond.

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