European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)

PURPOSE: establishing the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EC) No 294/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.

CONTENT: in the context of the Lisbon Strategy, this Regulation aims to establish a European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).  The EIT will be a flagship for excellence in innovation, as well as a reference model in order to enable Europe to face the challenges of a globalising, knowledge-based world economy more effectively.

Objective: the EIT’s objective is to contribute to sustainable European economic growth and competitiveness by reinforcing the innovation capacity of the Member States and the Community. It shall do this by promoting and integrating higher education, research and innovation (the knowledge triangle) of the highest standards. For organisation and administrative management purposes, the EIT will be provided with a governance structure designed to facilitate business involvement. It will be made up of a governing board, an executive committee, a director and an audit committee. The EIT shall be a Community body and shall have legal personality.

Tasks of the EIT: the main tasks of the EIT are to:

(a).       identify its priority fields;

(b).       raise awareness among potential partner organisations and encourage their participation in its activities;

(c).       select and designate Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) in the priority fields;

(d).       mobilise funds from public and private sources;

(e).       encourage the recognition in the Member States of degrees and diplomas which are awarded by higher education institutions that are partner organisations and which may be labelled EIT degrees and diplomas;

(f).        promote the dissemination of good practices, in order to develop a common innovation and knowledge transfer culture;

(g).       seek to become a world class body for excellence in higher education, research and innovation.

Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KCIs): the EIT will be organised on the basis of “Knowledge and Innovation Communities”, in other words partnerships of universities, research organisations, companies and other stakeholders in the innovation process, in the form of a strategic network based on joint mid- to long-term innovation planning. These will be steered, coordinated and evaluated by a Governing Board, composed of high calibre people from the business, academic and research communities. The involvement of business at all strategic and operational levels will be a keystone of the initiative.

KICs tasks: KICs shall undertake in particular:

(a).       innovation activities and investments with European added value, fully integrating the higher education and research dimensions to attain a critical mass and stimulating the dissemination and exploitation of results;

(b).       cutting-edge and innovation-driven research in areas of key economic and societal interest;

(c).       education and training activities at masters and doctoral level, in disciplines with the potential to meet future European socio-economic needs;

(d).       the dissemination of best practices in the innovation sector.

KICs shall have substantial overall autonomy to define their internal organisation and composition, as well as their precise agenda and working methods. The relationship between the EIT and each KIC shall be based on a contractual agreement.

Two phase approach: within a period of 18 months from its creation, the Governing Board should select two or three KICs in areas that help the European Union to face current and future challenges, which could include such fields as climate change, renewable energy and the next generation of information and communication technologies. Further KICs will follow during the second phase, subject to an evaluation of the activities of the EIT.

Degrees and diplomas: degrees and diplomas, relating to higher education activities, shall be awarded by participating higher education institutions, in accordance with national rules and accreditation procedures. The agreement between the EIT and the KICs shall provide that these degrees and diplomas may also be labelled EIT degrees and diplomas. EIT shall also encourage participating higher education institutions to award joint or multiple degrees and diplomas, reflecting the integrated nature of the KICs.

Strategic Innovation Agenda (SIA): by 30 June 2011 at the latest, and every seven years thereafter, the EIT shall prepare a seven-year draft SIA and submit it to the Commission. The SIA is a policy document which defines the long-term priority fields of the EIT for future initiatives, including an estimate of financial needs and sources in view of the future operation, long-term development and funding of the EIT. Acting on a proposal from the Commission, the SIA shall be adopted by the European Parliament and the Council.

Programming and reporting: the EIT shall adopt a rolling triennial work programme, based on the SIA, stating its major priorities and planned initiatives, including an estimate of financing needs and sources. The work programme shall be transmitted by the EIT to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee for the Regions for information. The EIT also shall adopt an annual report outlining the activities conducted by the EIT during the preceding calendar year and assessing the results with respect to the objectives and timetable set.

Monitoring and evaluation of the EIT: the EIT shall ensure that its activities shall be subject to continuous and systematic monitoring and periodic independent evaluation, to ensure both the highest quality of outcome, scientific excellence and the most efficient use of resources. The outcomes of the evaluations shall be made public. By June 2011 and every five years after the entry into force of a new financial framework, the Commission shall provide for an evaluation of the EIT.

Budget: the financial envelope for the implementation of this Regulation during the period from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2013 is set at EUR 308.7 million. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial framework.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 29/04/2008.