Deep Tech Talente Prize to recognise Europe’s top trainers

Budapest, 10 July 2023 – The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is pleased to announce the launch of the Deep Tech Talent Training Prize. This award aims to recognise and reward excellence in tackling deep tech training challenges in the framework of the EIT’s new programme set to skill one million people in deep tech fields until 2025.

Since being launched in October of last year, the EIT’s flagship programme, the Deep Tech Talent Initiative is in full swing, where the EIT’s Innovation Communities work together with a pledger community of industry partners and training providers to address Europe’s skills gap. Deep Tech innovations – cutting-edge technology solutions combining fields of science and engineering in the physical, biological and digital spheres – are indispensable in creating solutions to the most pressing global challenges.

To award and recognise the existing contributions of training providers in deploying the most effective training programmes, the EIT is launching the Deep Tech Talent Training Prize. Training providers, employers, universities, and industry partners are encouraged to apply and showcase their exceptional contributions in tackling deep tech training challenges. Each award recipient will be awarded a maximum funding of EUR 60 000.

Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission, said: ‘Europe needs a talent pool of specialised workers to keep up with the rapid advances of new technology, and harness their power for sustainable innovation. The European Institute of Innovation and Technology and its flagship programme will be instrumental in creating new training courses and building a network of existing training providers. We are committed to the most exceptional contributions in tackling deep tech training.’

Nektarios Tavernarakis, Chair of the EIT Governing Board, added: ‘The EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative is a pivotal programme that recognizes the need in Europe to accelerate the development of skills on new technologies that can help us solve major challenges. This prize recognizes and praises the exceptional contributions of European organisations, such as universities, training providers, and companies, in tackling the challenges of deep tech training. By fostering collaboration and innovation, these entities are instrumental in ensuring that individuals from diverse backgrounds have access to excellent training opportunities.’

To be eligible for the Deep Tech Talent Training Prize, applicants must meet the Deep Tech Talent Initiative pledger criteria and have successfully completed the pledge registration and quality check of the training.

Organisations can apply in one of following two prize categories:

  • Partner Training – for consortia of at least two organisations which meet the pledger criteria and can demonstrate how their partnership, training and results demonstrate excellence in addressing a deep tech training challenge.
  • Targeted Training – for individual training providers who have demonstrated excellence in a specific targeted approach to address challenges in deep tech training. Targeted approaches may address underrepresented audiences or specific market/training gaps, emphasising excellence in results and impacts. Examples include promoting inclusivity and sector-specific training needs.

The prize categories are further divided into pre-defined deep tech topic areas, which include among others, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cleantech, advanced/quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and remote sensing.

Organisations are encouraged to read the full call text and documents available now on the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative website. Applicants must submit the required documents, including the application form, pitch deck, and a 1-2-minute video pitch, through the online submission platform by the prize deadline, 31 October 2023.

For more information about the Deep Tech Talent Initiative and to join the pledge to lead the development of Europe’s skilled labour force please visit: eitdeeptechtalent.eu

 

BACKGROUND: EIT – MAKING INNOVATION HAPPEN!

ABOUT THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTE OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY (EIT)

The EIT strengthens Europe’s ability to innovate by powering solutions to pressing global challenges and by nurturing entrepreneurial talent to create sustainable growth and skilled jobs in Europe. The EIT is an EU body and an integral part of Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The Institute supports dynamic pan-European partnerships, EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, among leading companies, research labs and universities. Together with their leading partners, the EIT Community offers a wide range of innovation and entrepreneurship activities across Europe: entrepreneurial education courses, business creation and acceleration services and innovation driven research projects.

The EIT is Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem bringing together over to 3 400 partners from top business, research and education organisations across Europe in 200+ innovation hubs across Europe. The EIT has powered more than 3 200 start-ups and scale-ups, created more than 1 600 new products and services that have gone to raise more than EUR 6 billion in external capital. More than 4 600 students have graduated from EIT labelled master and doctoral programmes and over 100 000 have participated in EIT Community entrepreneurial trainings.

ABOUT THE DEEP TECH TALENT INITIATIVE

The Deep Tech Talent Initiative is a pioneering programme aiming to skill 1 million people within European deep tech fields over the next three years (2023-2025). Under the initiative, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and its Knowledge and Innovation Communities  will roll out pan-European talent and skills development programmes open to all European talents – from school pupils through to higher education students, professionals and entrepreneurs. Training programmes are availble now on the Deep Tech Talent Initiative website, in the following areas:  advanced materials and manufacturing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, blockchain, robotics, aerospace, photonics, electronics, quantum computing, sustainable energy, and cleantech.

 

Press contact: Angela Alimi
T: +36 30 788 9876   E: press (at) eit.europa.eu