Open Opportunities

This page lists current calls, job vacancies and open opportunities that may be of interest to the innovation community. Scroll down for opportunities for startups, SMEs and R&I actors.

For startups and SMEs

EU-LAC Digital Accelerator Open Call 3: The EU-LAC Digital Accelerator supports digital innovation and cross-border collaboration between European and Latin American startups and SMEs. This program provides funding, mentorship, and networking to foster digital transformation. Eligible partnerships can apply for acceleration services worth up to €30,000 (or €40,000 with Caribbean partners). Click here to apply.

Deadline: April 30, 2025

IC2025 call for presentation proposals: The IC25 Conference invites experts, researchers, and practitioners to submit presentation proposals focused on innovation, technology, and research. This is a chance to showcase work, exchange ideas, and contribute to knowledge advancement. Proposals should align with the conference theme and objectives, fostering collaboration and the growth of impactful technologies and ideas. The conference provides a platform for thought leaders to present cutting-edge research shaping various industries. More at the link.

Deadline: 18 April 2025

Shell.ai Futures Pitch 2025: Shell and Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) have launched the Shell.ai Futures Pitch 2025 – Qatar Edition, inviting startups to showcase AI-driven solutions for energy challenges. The competition offers up to $100K in PoC funding, cash awards, and access to Qatar’s startup ecosystem. Participants will tackle key issues such as supply chain risk, smart fault diagnosis, and AI-enhanced data quality. Learn more and apply here.

Deadline: 30 April 2025

ITU SEED programme: ITU SEED, a global acceleration programme by Istanbul Technical University's Technopark, serves as a key support platform for non-Turkish startups looking to expand into Türkiye, offering tax-exempt office space, funding opportunities nearing $90 million, a cost-efficient business environment, and access to a vast market for growth. Startups benefit from networking with investors, corporate connections, mentorship programs, and global expansion opportunities through Istanbul. Additionally, selected startups may have the opportunity to attend the Big Bang demo-day event in December with free accommodation and flights. Click here to apply for the programme.

Deadline: 17 April 2025

Eurostars - Joint Transnational Call for Proposals:

Part of the European Partnership on Innovative SMEs, co-founded by the EU through the Horizon Europe program, Eurostars helps support SMEs by funding collaborative, international R&D projects. More Information.

Deadline: Ongoing

Empowering the Next Gen of Angels: ESIL is dedicated to boosting Europe’s innovative ecosystems through the creation of a thriving, connected and diverse angel investment community across all the countries of Europe, whilst strengthening those markets where angel investment may still be lagging behind. ESIL is funded by the European Union through the European Innovation Council and SME Executive Agency (EISMEA). The program will be delivered by a consortium of seasoned ecosystem players, including META Group, BAE, and Bpifrance, all of whom are deeply embedded in Europe's investment and innovation landscapes. Read more.

Deadline: Open-ended

Erstfeld Innovation Accelerator: The Erstfeld Innovation Accelerator is a 30 day online coaching and workshop opportunity that inspires enhanced innovation strategies for businesses and professionals. The workshops are offered monthly, with the November intake applications open now. This accelerator prioritizes team-oriented work with groups of 5-15 people to enhance synergy and bring out the best in a group. More information.

Deadline: Open-ended

EU-LAC Digital Accelertator: The EU-LAC Digital Accelerator works as a multi-sided platform that connects business opportunities from large corporations to startups and innovative SMEs, supporting these joint ventures up until an investment-ready stage and providing specific benefits for each of them. They offer in-kind services up to 30,000€ to expand new businesses in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. More information and submission.

Deadline: 30 April 2025

Eurostars: Eurostars is the largest international funding programme for SMEs wishing to collaborate on R&D projects that create innovative products, processes or services for commercialisation. Your consortium must spotlight an innovative SME as the main project participant. Applicants can choose project partners from SMEs, universities and research centres from any of the programme’s 37 participating countries. Organisations in non-participating countries can still join a Eurostars consortium. More information.

Deadline: Ongoing

EIC Accelerator:The EIC Work Programme opens funding opportunities worth €1.13 billion. The EIC Accelerator supports individual small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in particular startups and spinout companies to develop and scaleup game-changing innovations. More information.

Deadline: Ongoing

European Cluster Collaboration Platform: The European online hub for industry clusters is a European Union initiative to strengthen the European economy through collaboration. It is a wide information hub for clusters, offering access to the latest news, open call programmes, events, collaboration networks, and international cooperation opportunities. More information.

Deadline: Ongoing

Funding and projects

Oxford Strategic Innovation Programme: Catered to professionals of any industry, this online 6-week programme provides skills ensuring innovation-focused strategies for business leaders to expertly tackle the future of their organisations. More information.

Deadline: Ongoing

MIN Platform: The MIN Platform is a product of the INNO-MOB project, showcasing the opportunities that initiatives and networks provide to innovative and dynamic businesses within an inclusive mobility innovation European ecosystem. It serves as a comprehensive business support framework. Register here.

Deadline: Ongoing

European Innovation Council Accelerator: Companies meeting the EIC criteria for excellence, impact and risk-level are invited to prepare full applications for grants of up to €2.5 million. This financial support also comes with a range of Business Acceleration Services, providing access to leading expertise, corporates, investors and ecosystem actors. More information.

Deadline: Ongoing

EIT-EIC CollabPilot: Two funding opportunities are available for companies in the science/health fields. Ready for Investment will provide ventures with expert advice and support with a market value of €10,000 tailored to each business’ needs. Gold Track offers startups the chance to attend workshops with top science advisors, as well as present to hand-picked investors and industry partners. More information.

Deadline: Various

IFC Projects: Any company or entrepreneur seeking funding can do so by approaching IFC directly. There is no standard project, application form or model that is expected, but the project must be aimed at the developing world whilst being environmentally and socially sound. More in formation.

Deadline: Ongoing

The INGENIOUS project is an extensive programme design for the European industry to gain sovereignty, to drive competitive sustainability, to be the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050, and to shape Europe’s digital future. The INGENIOUS project serves as a lever for the companies to implement highly innovative solutions, to penetrate key markets, to attract critical mass of partners via three financial instruments: Innovation Grant, Training Grant, and Internationalization Grant. More information.

Deadline: Ongoing

Researcher Project for Experienced Scientists (FRIPRO): Funding is intended to support scientific renewal and development in research that can help to advance the research front. This call targets researchers who have demonstrated the ability to conduct research of high scientific quality and applies to all disciplines and research areas. More information.

Deadline: Open-ended

Global Innovation Fund: The GIF, is social impact-first investment vehicle that works with mission-aligned development agencies, philanthropy, and other funders to find and fund evidence-based innovations. GIF applications working in any sector in any developing country. Any type of organisation may apply. This includes social enterprises, for-profit companies, non-profit organisations, government agencies, international organisations, and research institutions in any country. It is recommended that individual innovators, entrepreneurs, or researchers apply through an affiliated organisation. More information.

Deadline: Ongoing

Other

PTE Marketplace: DISRUPTIVE's international marketplace shows collaboration alerts related to the field of disruptive digital technologies. Companies and entities from anywhere in the world can participate in this marketplace by simply filling in a quick questionnaire where they explain what their alert consists of, whilst those seeking opportunities can find multiple chances for collaboration. More information.

Deadline: Various