With the “Call for Proposals 2023”, EIT Manufacturing is calling on innovators, research institutions, universities, Startups and companies of all sizes to submit their ideas for using the latest technologies. The knowledge and innovation community is using the largest portion of its operational budget, approximately €400 million by 2026, for this purpose. The money will be used to finance projects and research industrially viable solutions. This year's focus is on four topics:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital twins for manufacturing systems
- Intelligent technologies for circular and environmentally friendly manufacturing
- Collaborative robots and solutions for flexible manufacturing
- Automation for human-centered factories
The activities proposed in the “Call for Proposals 2023” should start in 2023 and last either one or two years. Dimitris Mavrikios, COO of EIT Manufacturing, notes that
"This multi-year approach is possible thanks to the first multi-year business plan we will draw up for 2023-25. It will make it possible to embark on longer-term projects with a more ambitious scope."
Innovation, education and regional investment
Apart from the length, the proposals should fall into one of the EIT Manufacturing areas of activity:
- Innovation: Supporting European manufacturing companies and technology organizations in the deployment and industrialization of proven breakthrough solutions with high economic growth potential.
- Education: Boosting Europe's innovation capacity through training, upskilling and reskilling of future and current manufacturers and supporting companies in the ongoing dual transition (digital and green).
- RIS (Regional Innovation Programme): Enabling the transfer of best practices and know-how through the EIT Manufacturing approach to boost innovation across the continent, including in areas with moderate or medium levels of innovation.
The best proposals will receive financial support of up to €1.5 million and connections to the EIT Manufacturing network, which consists of investors and industrial partners such as Kuka and Volkswagen, who will support the further development of the technologies. The application deadline is March 11, 2022. In the last call for proposals, 290 proposals were submitted, of which 81 projects were ultimately accepted across Europe.
Klaus Beetz, CEO of EIT Manufacturing, points out that
"The Call for Proposals is the main tool used by EIT Manufacturing to support innovative projects in the manufacturing industry. This round includes relevant new approaches that will encourage participation and accelerate the translation of scientific advances into marketable innovations in the manufacturing industry, preparing the industry for a green, digital, and competitive future that is socially and environmentally sustainable."
