Project description
Entrepreneurship among researchers and students
To boost Europe’s place in global innovation and research, as well as entrepreneurship efforts and policies, it is necessary to create solutions that support new researchers and provide them with the entrepreneurial skills and know-how to capitalise on their innovations. The EU-funded Mind the Gap project will unite three HEIs, two NGOs, and two business partners from a diverse variety of European innovation regions to shorten and bridge the gap between market-ready innovations and academic research. The project will introduce tailored PhD programmes, assist business acceleration, develop innovative entrepreneurial courses, connect stakeholders and regions, and foster the growth of skills and entrepreneurship among researchers.
Objective
The “Mind the Gap” project unites 6 partners (2 HEIs, 2 business partners & 2 NGOs) from diverse European innovation regions to bridge the gap between academic research and market-ready innovations. The project aims to 1) foster entrepreneurial skills among students & researchers, 2) enhance universities' capacity to support innovators, and 3) stimulate entrepreneurial activity across Europe. Using the 4Cs Framework, the project connects academia, business, and policy actors, creating a dynamic, inclusive innovation ecosystem. Key actions include 1) developing new entrepreneurial courses, 2) tailoring PhD programs, 3) integrating business acceleration, and 4) connecting stakeholders across regions. Addressing six expected call outcomes (i.e. 1) improved knowledge flows, 2) enhanced skills, 3) increased competence, 4) availability of local talents, 5) boosted entrepreneurial activity, and 6) increased youth employability), the project contributes to the New European Innovation Agenda, the European Green Deal, and the EIT HEI Initiative. Leveraging networks from EU initiatives such as CloudEARTHi, SEEDplus, and Inspiring the Minds, the consortium uses its vast expertise in academic-industry partnerships and entrepreneurship to position HEIs as engines of change, driving sustainable growth and strategic autonomy. The consortium’s diverse representation strengthens the Smart Specialization Strategies of partner countries. The project implements measures to promote gender balance, adhere to open science policies, and ensure the long-term sustainability of its activities beyond the project’s end. Through an extensive outreach and dissemination plan, it engages stakeholders—including students, researchers, university staff, policymakers, and the business sector—to position HEIs as leaders in driving Europe’s economic growth, spearheading the global deep tech wave, advancing the green transition, and strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy and competitiveness globally.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.2 - European innovation ecosystems
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.3.2.3 - Joint programmes close to innovators
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIE-2024-CONNECT-02
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
7000 Eisenstadt
Austria
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.