Call for expressions of interest to become EIT Food Hubs in 2021-2023

About the Call

EIT Food is looking for organisations that would assume the role of EIT Food Hub, one in each of the countries targeted by EIT Food’s Regional Innovation Scheme: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Organisations from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia across the Knowledge Triangle of research, higher education and business, but also spanning the public sector, NGOs as well as interested in tackling agri-food challenges through active national and international cooperation of various stakeholders. Potential EIT Food Hub should be either an individual organisation OR two organisations acting as a consortium/innovation network (one organisation as a lead entity, the other organisation supporting business creation activities and start-up ecosystem) representing different actors of the Knowledge Triangle (education, research, business).

Application deadline

10 December 2020, 23:59 CET.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our organisation is already involved with another Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) of EIT. Can we still apply to become an EIT Food Hub?

• Yes, it is possible to get involved with more than one KIC. We even encourage synergies between activities.

Can organisation supporting start-ups apply alone?

• Organisations supporting start-ups shall apply for the call together with a lead organisation, as a consortium. In such case, a lead organisation would be responsible for the tasks listed in point 4.4.1 while an organisation supporting start-ups would take upon the tasks listed in point 4.4.2.

Is there additional funding available under the EIT RIS?

• The call precises the annual gross funding for HUB activities definite in the workplan of the subcontracting agreement that defines the tasks for which this budget is allocated. However, EIT Food may launch additional calls for organisation that will become a subcontractor for its projects.

If successful in the call, do we have to become an EIT Food partner?

• No, organisation selected to become an EIT Food Hub does not become an EIT Food Partner. EIT Food Hubs act as subcontractors. Information regarding partnership at EIT Food is available HERE.

If successful in the call, will we operate as EIT Food Hub until 2023?

• EIT Food CLC North-East will conclude a one year subcontracting agreement with the chosen organisation that will end on 31 December 2021. Nevertheless, the agreement will be renewed for another year if the specific criteria (based on objectively measurable indicators set up in the subcontracting agreement) are met with a timely submission of interim and final reports and fulfilment of at least 90% of each of the specific agreed performance targets. The final renewal year is 2023.

What will be the funding for EIT Food Hub performance in 2022 and 2023?

• The amount of funding for the following years will be decided on a yearly basis in accordance with the EIT Food RIS Strategy and EIT Food Business Plan.

What are the eligible costs covered by subcontracting agreement?

• Only the cost that contributes to the implementation of the activities definite in the workplan of subcontracting agreement are eligible and includes personnel costs, travel costs, or costs of other goods and services such as equipment, catering, technical support, fee for keynote speakers, mentors and trainers subcontracted externally. Please note that EIT Food Hub is entitled to involve subcontractors only with the prior written consent of CLC. Subcontractors need to be selected taking into account the best value for money criterion or, if appropriate, the lowest price.