Apply Now: RIS Innovation Projects for Raw Materials

The EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) is inviting proposals for Innovation Projects that strengthen Europe’s raw materials value chain through sustainable technologies, circular economy solutions, and innovative business models. Eligible consortia from RIS-eligible countries can apply for €800,000 to €1 million in funding for projects lasting one to two years.

What are the EIT RIS Innovation Projects?

The EIT RIS Innovation Projects programme supports collaborative projects that develop innovative technologies, products, services, and business models across the raw materials value chain.

The initiative aims to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems, improve the sustainability of raw materials production and use, promote circular economy practices, and enhance Europe’s competitiveness in critical raw materials.

Projects must involve international collaboration and contribute to innovation-led economic growth in RIS-eligible countries.

Background

Raw materials are essential for industries such as renewable energy, electronics, construction, transport, batteries, and advanced manufacturing.

As Europe seeks to improve resource security and reduce environmental impacts, innovation across the raw materials value chain has become increasingly important.

The EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) supports organisations in eligible countries by encouraging collaboration between industry, academia, and research institutions to develop sustainable and market-oriented solutions.

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

Strengthen Europe’s raw materials value chain.
Accelerate innovation in sustainable raw materials.
Promote circular economy solutions.
Support technology development and commercialisation.
Foster collaboration between education, research, and industry.
Build regional innovation capacity.
Enhance competitiveness across RIS-eligible countries.

Key Highlights

Programme Name: EIT RIS Innovation Projects
Organiser: European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) – Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS)
Funding Amount: €800,000 to €1 million per project
Project Duration: 1 to 2 years
Co-funding Requirement: Required, based on Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and project type
Maximum Funding Rate: Up to 70% of eligible project costs
Project Scope: Innovation across the raw materials value chain

Focus Areas

Projects should address one or more of the following priority areas.

Exploration

Projects may support:

Mineral exploration technologies.
Geological resource assessment.
Digital exploration tools.
Resource identification methods.

Sustainable Mining

Eligible activities include:

Environmentally responsible mining.
Low-impact extraction methods.
Resource efficiency.
Improved mining technologies.
Worker safety innovations.

Processing

Projects can focus on:

Advanced mineral processing.
Resource recovery.
Processing efficiency.
Cleaner production technologies.
Value-added processing methods.

Circular Economy and Recycling

The programme encourages:

Recycling technologies.
Material recovery.
Waste reduction.
Resource circularity.
Secondary raw materials.
Closed-loop production systems.

Material Substitution

Projects may develop:

Alternative materials.
Sustainable substitutes.
Critical raw material replacement.
Resource-efficient product design.

Innovation Activities

The programme supports the development of:

New technologies.
Innovative products.
Commercial services.
Digital solutions.
Sustainable business models.
Market-ready innovations.

Capacity Building and Ecosystem Development

Beyond technology development, projects should contribute to:

Regional innovation ecosystems.
Skills development.
Knowledge transfer.
Cross-sector collaboration.
Innovation-driven economic growth.

Who Can Apply?

The call is open to a wide range of organisations, including:

Startups.
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
Large companies.
Universities.
Research centres.
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Government agencies.
Public institutions.

Consortium Requirements

To be eligible, each consortium must:

Include at least two organisations.
Represent at least two different RIS-eligible countries.
Include partners representing at least two sides of the Knowledge Triangle:
- Education
- Research
- Business
Have a lead partner based in an RIS-eligible country.

Funding Information

Projects may receive:

Minimum Grant: €800,000
Maximum Grant: €1 million

Funding may cover up to 70% of eligible project costs, with applicants providing the remaining co-funding based on the project’s Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and funding conditions.

Additional Benefits

In addition to financial support, successful applicants receive:

Proposal development guidance.
Matchmaking opportunities.
Access to Europe’s raw materials innovation network.
Collaboration opportunities with industry and research partners.
Support for innovation ecosystem development.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should:

Review the official call guidelines and eligibility requirements.
Build an international consortium with eligible partners.
Ensure the consortium includes education, research, and business expertise.
Develop an innovation project aligned with one or more programme focus areas.
Prepare a detailed work plan, budget, and co-funding strategy.
Demonstrate the project’s innovation potential and expected impact.
Submit the proposal through the official EIT RIS application portal before the application deadline.

Why This Programme Matters

The programme supports Europe’s transition towards a more sustainable and resilient raw materials sector.

It helps to:

Accelerate innovation.
Improve resource efficiency.
Strengthen circular economy practices.
Reduce dependence on critical raw materials.
Promote sustainable mining and processing.
Build regional innovation capacity.
Enhance collaboration between industry, academia, and research organisations.

These investments contribute to Europe’s long-term economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability.

Tips for a Strong Proposal

To improve your application:

Build a balanced consortium with complementary expertise.
Clearly demonstrate innovation beyond existing technologies.
Explain the project’s contribution to the raw materials value chain.
Include realistic commercialisation and market adoption plans.
Present measurable environmental and economic impacts.
Develop a strong co-funding strategy.
Align the project with European sustainability and circular economy objectives.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common issues:

Forming a consortium that does not meet eligibility requirements.
Submitting projects with insufficient innovation.
Providing unclear commercialisation strategies.
Underestimating co-funding obligations.
Failing to demonstrate collaboration across the Knowledge Triangle.
Presenting unrealistic timelines or budgets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the objective of the EIT RIS Innovation Projects programme?

The programme supports collaborative innovation projects that strengthen Europe’s raw materials value chain through sustainable technologies, circular economy solutions, and new business models.

2. How much funding is available?

Selected projects can receive between €800,000 and €1 million, covering up to 70% of eligible project costs, depending on the project’s Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and funding conditions.

3. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include startups, SMEs, large companies, universities, research centres, NGOs, government agencies, and public institutions.

4. What are the consortium requirements?

Each consortium must include at least two organisations from two different RIS-eligible countries, represent at least two elements of the Knowledge Triangle (education, research, and business), and have a lead partner established in an RIS-eligible country.

5. Which sectors does the programme support?

The programme supports projects in exploration, sustainable mining, mineral processing, recycling, circular economy, material substitution, and other innovations across the raw materials value chain.

6. What additional support is provided?

Participants receive proposal guidance, matchmaking assistance, and access to EIT’s European raw materials innovation network.

7. How long can projects last?

Projects must have a duration of one to two years.

Conclusion

The EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) Innovation Projects 2026 offers significant funding for collaborative initiatives that advance sustainable innovation across Europe’s raw materials sector. With grants of €800,000 to €1 million, support for international collaboration, and access to a leading innovation network, the programme provides an excellent opportunity for organisations to develop cutting-edge technologies, strengthen regional innovation ecosystems, and contribute to a more sustainable and competitive European raw materials value chain.