Objective
Europe produces world-class research, yet many research results struggle to reach the market and society. Academic startups and spinoffs are a key pathway for translating research into innovation, but they often face fragmented support systems, limited engagement with users and industry, and insufficient validation of real market and societal needs. These challenges are particularly visible in Widening ecosystems across the ERA.
SHIFT addresses this gap by strengthening the capacity of innovation intermediaries (e.g. universities, TTOs, incubators, DIHs, and science parks) to support academic entrepreneurs through structured validation and ecosystem engagement. The project develops a Startup Valorisation and Validation Framework and an AI-enabled toolbox that helps startups and intermediaries organise user validation, stakeholder engagement, investment readiness, and demand-side interaction.
Through 20 intermediary-led pilot programmes, SHIFT will support more than 40 academic startups in validating their solutions with citizens, professional users, corporates, investors, and public buyers. Startups will participate in structured co-creation activities, desirability validation cycles, mentoring programmes, and matchmaking sessions designed to strengthen problem–solution fit, societal acceptance, and investment readiness.
By analysing pilot experiences across diverse innovation ecosystems, SHIFT will identify effective intermediary-led support models and translate them into policy insights, practical guidance, and institutional uptake pathways. The project will contribute to the EU Knowledge Valorisation Platform and support the implementation of ERA Action 7 on strengthening knowledge valorisation capacities.
SHIFT will help transform innovation intermediaries into orchestrators of socially validated and demand-driven academic entrepreneurship, enabling research-based innovations to reach markets and society more effectively across Europe.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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.4.2 - Reforming and enhancing the European R&I System
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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-WIDERA-2026-06
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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.
02-106 WARSZAWA
Poland
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.