InnoNext, the EU Next Generation Innovation Talents scheme, is a new initiative to address the scarcity of highly qualified talent in the European innovation job market. The initiative is a collaboration powered by the European Innovation Council (EIC) that opens fresh opportunities for certain members of the European Insititute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs).
Through its AI-driven matchmaking platform, InnoNext connects talents and aspiring innovators with start-ups and scale-ups associated with key European based programmes, and based on their skills and industry needs. The programmes include Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), European Research, EIC and the EIT. Through internship placements, the scheme aims to equip talents develop the entrepreneurial and management expertise needed to drive and strengthen the European innovation ecosystem.
InnoNext has four objectives. To:
- Promote equal opportunities
Provide innovative startups and SMEs with access to cutting-edge research ideas and insights, thus accelerating the development of innovative products and services.
- Facilitate knowledge transfer
Develop an entrepreneurial mindset by enabling researchers and aspiring innovators to gain practical experience and understanding of the processes needed to take research ideas to the next level.
- Improve entrepreneurial growth
Mobilise individuals with specific skills, knowledge and abilities developed in EU excellence programmes within innovative startups and SMEs.
- Increase competitiveness
Improved and equal access to research talent: Innovative startups and SMEs supported by EU-funded programmes will have better access to research talent, which could lead to more innovative products and services.
Innovation Internships
Organised by InnoNext, these internships will be across two specialised streams:
- Deep Tech Talents: Research-focused internships offering hands-on experience with advanced projects, where interns work closely with the hosting company to address complex technical challenges.
- Eligible applicants include PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers currently involved in ERC, EIC Pathfinder, EIT, EU Research & Infrastructure actions, and MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships, Doctoral Networks and COFUND project.
- Aspiring Innovators: Entrepreneurship-focused internships where aspiring innovators develop business attitude and competences through expert mentoring, while gaining practical insights into innovative companies.
- Open to students in and graduates from EIT Label Masters and Doctoral programs, EIT Alumni.
Visiting talent
InnoNext identifies, facilitates and supports internships proposed by Hosting Companies committed to pushing boundaries and willing to collaborate to translate research advancements into innovations, accelerating a learner’s journey from research to real-world application.
Hosting Companies
InnoNext offers startups and scaleups the possibility to integrate specialised knowledge and technical insights to refine the business strategy and scale their business across Europe and beyond by hosting a highly skilled Visiting Talent.
Partners
