EIT Culture & Creativity – Innovation projects for fashion, architecture and audiovisual (€20,000 then up to €900,000)
European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) · EIT Culture & Creativity
EIT Culture & Creativity, Κοινότητα Καινοτομίας του EIT (EIT Culture & Creativity, an EIT Knowledge and Innovation Community)
In plain words
Two stages: first you get €20,000 to prepare a business development plan; then up to €900,000 (70% of costs) over 18 months to take your solution to market. For startups, scale-ups and companies in fashion, architecture and audiovisual media with a mature solution. The first deadline is very close (30 Oct 2026).
Who can apply
Legal entities (startups, scale-ups, SMEs or larger companies) based in the EU or a Horizon Europe associated country, working in architecture, audiovisual media or fashion. Research bodies, universities and cultural institutions cannot apply alone.
What it pays for
Stage 1: a €20,000 lump sum for a business development plan, market and customer validation and a go-to-market plan. Stage 2: up to €900,000 per project (up to 70% of eligible costs) for a consortium of 2–3 organisations, for 18 months of market roll-out (from TRL 7 to TRL 9). Includes a revenue-sharing or SAFE mechanism.
What must be true for you
Tick what applies. Saved on this device only.
- Based in an EU or Horizon Europe associated country, with a PIC.
- Active in architecture, audiovisual media or fashion.
- A solution at TRL 7 (prototype working in a real environment).
- Stage 2: a consortium of 2–3 independent organisations with a mandatory commercialisation partner; at least 30% own contribution.
- Acceptance of a revenue-sharing or SAFE mechanism.
How to apply
- Get a PIC from the Funding & Tenders Portal if you do not have one.
- Read the call guidelines on the EIT Culture & Creativity page.
- Fill in the Stage 1 form (Monday platform) by 30 Oct 2026, 17:00.
- If selected (mid-December 2026), prepare the business plan, budget, work plan and due-diligence documents for Stage 2.
- Submit Stage 2 by 15 Mar 2027.
Where to apply: EIT Culture & Creativity (Monday form) – forms.monday.com/forms/7bcb9806fbdc1de36f8b536…
Deadline
Stage 1: by 30 Oct 2026, 17:00 CET (18:00 Greek time). Stage 2, only for those selected: by 15 Mar 2027.
Sources we read
Research notes: Stage 1: €600,000 in total (€20,000 per selected applicant); Stage 2: €9.9M in total, up to 11 projects (budget_total = both stages, €10.5M; the official page now states both totals). amount_max is per Stage-2 project and is shared within the consortium of 2–3. Official page last updated 12/10/2026 (FAQ v1); all dates labelled indicative. 17:00 CET on 30/10/2026 = 18:00 Athens time.