Deadline: 16-Sep-2026
The EIT Health Biotech Pathway Call 2026 invites industry, higher education institutions (HEIs), and research organisations to develop a new EIT Label-certified Biotech pathway within the Certified Innovation Path (CIP) portfolio. Selected consortia can receive up to €240,000 to design and deliver personalised biotechnology learning programmes that prepare graduates and professionals to transform scientific discoveries into market-ready healthcare innovations.
The programme aims to strengthen Europe’s biotechnology ecosystem by combining biotech expertise, entrepreneurship, innovation, regulatory knowledge, leadership, and industry collaboration while supporting the commercialization of healthcare technologies.
EIT Health Biotech Pathway Call Overview
The EIT Health Biotech Pathway Call supports the creation of a new EIT Label-certified Biotech pathway that will become part of the Certified Innovation Path (CIP) portfolio.
The new pathway will complement the existing CIP programmes in:
- Health Data
- Digital Medical Devices
- High Value Care
The programme is designed to provide graduates and professionals with the multidisciplinary knowledge and practical skills needed to develop innovative biotechnology solutions for the European healthcare sector.
Purpose of the EIT Health Biotech Pathway
The primary objective of the programme is to strengthen biotechnology education while supporting innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe’s healthcare ecosystem.
The programme aims to:
- Develop a new EIT Label-certified biotechnology pathway
- Strengthen biotechnology innovation skills
- Promote entrepreneurship in healthcare
- Improve regulatory knowledge
- Support commercialization of biotechnology innovations
- Encourage collaboration between academia and industry
- Develop market-ready healthcare solutions
- Strengthen Europe’s biotechnology workforce
The initiative contributes to building a highly skilled innovation ecosystem across Europe.
Why This Programme Matters
Europe’s biotechnology sector is expanding rapidly and requires professionals who understand both scientific research and commercial innovation.
The programme helps participants:
- Translate research into healthcare products
- Navigate complex regulatory systems
- Build entrepreneurial skills
- Strengthen industry collaboration
- Accelerate healthcare innovation
- Improve commercialization success
The pathway supports Europe’s long-term competitiveness in biotechnology and life sciences.
Key Learning Focus Areas
The proposed courses should combine biotechnology expertise with innovation and business skills.
European Biotechnology Regulation
Participants should develop knowledge of Europe’s evolving biotechnology regulations.
Courses should cover topics such as:
- EU Biotech Act
- Clinical Trials Regulation
- Medical Device Regulation (MDR)
- In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR)
- Regulatory compliance
- Healthcare policy
Understanding regulatory frameworks helps innovators successfully bring new technologies to market.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The pathway should strengthen entrepreneurial capabilities.
Learning topics may include:
- Innovation management
- Business model development
- Commercialization strategies
- Startup development
- Product development
- Innovation leadership
Participants should learn how to transform scientific discoveries into viable businesses.
Translation and Early Scale-Up
Courses should support the transition from research to commercial application.
Areas of focus include:
- Technology translation
- Product validation
- Early-stage commercialization
- Scaling biotechnology innovations
- Technology readiness
- Innovation implementation
These skills help bridge the gap between laboratory research and healthcare markets.
Leadership and Cross-Border Collaboration
The programme should encourage collaboration across Europe’s innovation ecosystem.
Learning outcomes may include:
- International teamwork
- Leadership development
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Partnership building
- Innovation networking
Collaboration between academia and industry is a core objective of the programme.
Financing, Partnering, and Market Access
Participants should understand how biotechnology innovations reach healthcare markets.
Topics may include:
- Investment readiness
- Funding strategies
- Strategic partnerships
- Market access
- Business development
- Health economics
Courses should prepare participants to attract investment and scale innovative healthcare solutions.
Expected Outcomes
Funded projects will design and deliver personalised learning programmes that:
- Strengthen biotechnology expertise
- Promote healthcare innovation
- Develop entrepreneurial skills
- Improve regulatory understanding
- Encourage industry engagement
- Support commercialization
- Prepare participants for leadership roles in biotechnology
The pathway should help learners create scalable healthcare innovations with measurable scientific, clinical, and economic value.
Funding Information
Selected projects may receive:
- Maximum funding: Up to €240,000
Funding supports the development, implementation, and delivery of the new EIT Label-certified biotechnology pathway.
Who Is Eligible?
Applications must be submitted by an eligible consortium.
The consortium must include:
- At least two Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
- HEIs established in two different eligible Member States
- At least one HEI located in an EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) region
- At least one HEI authorized to award ECTS credits for the repurposed courses
- At least one non-academic or industry partner
Industry partners must actively contribute to:
- Curriculum development
- Course delivery
- Learner assessment
- Practical training
Strong collaboration between academic institutions and industry is a mandatory programme requirement.
Consortium Requirements
Successful consortia should demonstrate:
- Expertise in biotechnology
- Experience in higher education
- Strong industry collaboration
- Innovation and entrepreneurship expertise
- Capacity to deliver EIT Label-certified education
- Cross-border cooperation
Consortia should combine complementary skills to deliver a high-quality educational programme.
What Should the Courses Include?
The proposed pathway should provide personalised learning that combines scientific knowledge with practical innovation skills.
Courses should include:
- Biotechnology education
- Innovation management
- Entrepreneurship
- Regulatory affairs
- Leadership development
- Commercialization
- Market access
- Financing strategies
- Industry collaboration
- Cross-border learning experiences
The curriculum should prepare participants to develop market-ready healthcare innovations.
How to Apply for the EIT Health Biotech Pathway Call
Eligible organisations should prepare a collaborative proposal that aligns with the objectives of the Certified Innovation Path portfolio.
Step 1: Build an Eligible Consortium
Applicants should establish a consortium that satisfies all eligibility requirements.
The consortium must include:
- Two eligible HEIs
- Institutions from two different Member States
- An EIT RIS partner
- An ECTS-authorized HEI
- An industry or non-academic partner
Step 2: Design the Learning Pathway
Develop a curriculum that explains:
- Learning objectives
- Course structure
- Biotechnology content
- Innovation training
- Entrepreneurship education
- Industry engagement
- Assessment methods
The programme should clearly demonstrate EIT Label quality.
Step 3: Prepare the Project Budget
Develop a realistic budget covering:
- Curriculum development
- Teaching activities
- Learning resources
- Industry collaboration
- Project management
- Quality assurance
Funding requests should not exceed €240,000.
Step 4: Develop the Implementation Plan
Applicants should explain:
- Programme delivery
- Consortium responsibilities
- Learner recruitment
- Assessment procedures
- Expected outcomes
- Sustainability strategy
A clear implementation roadmap strengthens the proposal.
Step 5: Submit the Proposal
Applicants should submit a complete proposal including all required documentation before the application deadline.
Common Application Mistakes and Tips
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Forming an ineligible consortium
- Weak industry participation
- Limited regulatory content
- Poor curriculum design
- Unclear learner outcomes
- Weak commercialization strategy
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants should:
- Build a balanced international consortium
- Include experienced industry partners
- Demonstrate educational excellence
- Emphasize innovation and entrepreneurship
- Integrate biotechnology with business skills
- Show long-term programme sustainability
- Clearly explain learner impact
Why This Programme Matters
Biotechnology is becoming one of Europe’s most important innovation sectors.
The EIT Health Biotech Pathway helps:
- Strengthen biotechnology education
- Develop future healthcare innovators
- Accelerate commercialization of research
- Improve collaboration between universities and industry
- Support Europe’s biotechnology competitiveness
- Prepare professionals for emerging healthcare challenges
The programme contributes to a stronger European innovation ecosystem by combining education, research, and industry expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the EIT Health Biotech Pathway Call?
It is a funding opportunity supporting the development of a new EIT Label-certified Biotech pathway within the Certified Innovation Path (CIP) portfolio.
How much funding is available?
Selected projects may receive up to €240,000.
Who can apply?
Applications must be submitted by a consortium consisting of at least two eligible Higher Education Institutions from two different Member States, including an EIT RIS partner and an industry or non-academic partner.
What is the purpose of the new pathway?
The pathway prepares graduates and professionals to translate biotechnology research into scalable, market-ready healthcare innovations through education in biotechnology, entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, and regulatory affairs.
Which regulations should the curriculum address?
The programme should cover the EU Biotech Act, Clinical Trials Regulation, Medical Device Regulation (MDR), and In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR).
What role do industry partners play?
Industry partners must actively contribute to curriculum design, practical learning, and learner assessment while strengthening links between education and the biotechnology sector.
Who will benefit from the programme?
Graduates, researchers, healthcare professionals, innovators, entrepreneurs, and biotechnology professionals seeking advanced innovation and commercialization skills will benefit from the new learning pathway.
Conclusion
The EIT Health Biotech Pathway Call 2026 provides a valuable opportunity for higher education institutions, research organizations, and industry partners to develop an innovative biotechnology education programme that strengthens Europe’s healthcare innovation ecosystem.
By supporting multidisciplinary learning, regulatory expertise, entrepreneurship, and industry collaboration, the programme helps prepare the next generation of biotechnology leaders capable of transforming scientific discoveries into impactful healthcare solutions.
For more information, visit EIT Health.
