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A graphic from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology featuring EIT Culture & Creativity's calls for proposals, with the text "The Power of Creativity" and a "Apply Now" button.

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An Overview of the Current Calls from EIT Culture & Creativity

Since the calls for proposals vary in terms of target audiences, funding amounts, and deadlines, here is a concise overview, sorted by submission deadline.

There are currently four open calls from EIT Culture & Creativity, each targeting different groups: from individuals with an initial idea to startups and companies, as well as educational and training institutions. Since the calls differ in terms of target groups, funding amounts, and deadlines, here is a concise overview, sorted by submission deadline.

Shape Acceleration & Scale Post-Acceleration

For for-profit startups and scale-ups in the fashion, architecture, or audiovisual media sectors with a technology-driven and IP-based solution.

Shape is aimed at early-stage startups that have achieved initial market validation and offers funding of up to €100,000. The most successful teams can receive an additional €100,000 after Demo Day.

Scale is intended for companies with product-market fit, recurring revenue, and at least €200,000 in capital raised over the past 18 months. Funding amounts to up to €200,000, and in EIT-RIS countries, it can even reach up to €500,000.

Submission deadline: October 12, 2026

Innovation Projects

For companies in the fields of architecture, audiovisual media, or fashion that are working on market-ready innovations (TRL 7).

In Phase 1, a single company applies and receives a lump-sum grant of €20,000 to develop a business plan.

In Phase 2, a consortium of two to three partners, including a commercialization partner, can receive up to €900,000 over an 18-month period. The funding rate is 70%.

Phase 1 Submission Deadline: October 30, 2026

Skills-Based CPD Courses

For universities, vocational training institutions, and accredited continuing education providers, either individually or as part of a consortium with up to three partners from at least two countries.

Funding is available for short English-language online courses for the audiovisual sector on topics such as intellectual property, artificial intelligence, and digital storytelling.

Up to €75,000 is available per project, with a funding rate of 75%.

Submission deadline (extended): October 30, 2026

Spark Incubation: New Ventures in Creative Tech

For individuals or teams with a creative tech idea in the fields of fashion or architecture who have not yet started a business.

The grant provides up to €30,000 at a funding rate of 100%, a two- to three-day startup sprint, and nine months of online incubation with personalized coaching. A company must be founded no later than the third month of the program.

Submission deadline: November 16, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (CEST)

All calls are open to applicants from EU member states and countries associated with Horizon Europe.

All the details

Kreativwirtschaft Austria is a partner of EIT Culture & Creativity and its innovation hub, CLCSouth East Alps, in Vienna. Through our EU newsletter and our LinkedIn community, we provide early information on relevant EU calls for proposals and facilitate networking with European partners. The EU Funding Service is an initiative of Kreativwirtschaft Austria as part of the BMWET’s “Creative Industries 2030” innovation program, in cooperation with the WKÖ, and is funded by the BMWET.