CESAER Proposed EIT Reforms for European Innovation
The association has issued formal input to the European Commission regarding the future of the European Institute of Innovation & Technology.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
Live Poll
Do you believe government innovation programs effectively foster talent development in your country?
CESAER has submitted its official response to the European Commission regarding the new regulation for the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT). The association argues that the EIT should serve as the primary European reference program for developing innovation-focused talent.
Why it matters
By strengthening the EIT’s role in science and technology talent development, CESAER aims to better integrate higher education, research, and business sectors across the continent. This move is designed to revitalize the current Strategic Innovation Agenda through more focused, science-led institutional mandates.
The proposal focuses on the model of Knowledge and Innovation Communities, which are cross-sector partnerships currently used by the EIT to link education and research. The 2026 submission aims to shift these communities toward a more singular focus on scientific and technological talent cultivation.
The players
CESAER
An association for universities of science and technology that works to influence European research and higher education policy.
European Commission
The executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation and managing the EIT regulatory framework.
European Institute of Innovation & Technology
A body of the European Union tasked with boosting the innovation capacity of the member states through competitive funding and integrated research programs.
The details
The proposal centers on the EIT's existing structure of Knowledge and Innovation Communities—integrated ecosystems that connect academic research with commercial business applications. CESAER, representing a network of science and technology universities, argues that the EIT should pivot its regulation to prioritize talent development over broader, less-defined innovation goals. By formally inputting these changes into the European Commission's call for evidence, the organization is seeking to standardize how the EIT manages the transition from laboratory science to industrial application.
Timeline
2024: CESAER published its previous EIT position paper.
September 2026: CESAER submitted its current input on EIT regulation.
The Tech Race
This submission acts as a formal pivot in the trajectory of the EIT Strategic Innovation Agenda. It reflects a broader effort to concentrate European R&D funding toward established science-and-technology hubs rather than the previous, more diffuse approach to cross-sector innovation.
Researchers and institutions affiliated with European science universities may see future funding cycles prioritized toward talent-focused Knowledge and Innovation Communities. The regulatory outcome will determine the specific priorities for the next iteration of the EIT Strategic Innovation Agenda.
The takeaway
CESAER is pushing for a leaner, more talent-centric model for EU innovation programs. Observers should track the European Commission's legislative draft to see if these recommendations gain traction against competing interests from established industry partners.
Further reading
For more on the intersection of European research funding and emerging technology policy, see Artificial Intelligence.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Gv.
Live Poll
Do you believe government innovation programs effectively foster talent development in your country?
