One month after making public the selection criteria (see ACA Newsletter – Education Europe, March edition), the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) finally invites applications for its first Knowledge Innovation Communities (KICs). The deadline for submitting the proposals is 27 August 2009, and EIT’s verdict is foreseen to come by January 2010.

The first KICs might bring together researchers in the three focus areas of the institute, i.e. climate change, energy efficiency and information society. The institute previously declared that 'two or three' KICs will be selected. Therefore, depending on the quality and nature of the applications, it is possible that all three focus areas will be covered. The successful applicants will benefit from funding under different EU programmes and from loans from the European Investment Bank, but are also expected to attract private funding.

Hopefully, the first KICs will provide the much-expected opportunity for innovation in Europe. May the best applications win!

EIT