Calls & funding

At EIT Water, we strive to empower the brightest minds all over Europe and beyond, arming them with skills and expertise to drive positive and impactful change in the water, marine and maritime (WMM) sectors. The skills pilot will provide exciting opportunities for students and young professionals across Europe to upskill or reskill to drive impact focusing specifically to nurture diversity and entrepreneurship in the new generation of water professionals. EIT Water skill boosters focus on educational entrepreneurship, building international networks, and securing a relevant talent pipeline. The pilot will run from July to September 2026 with exact dates TBC.

Bridge4Water is launched as a 2026 pilot programme aligned with the EIT Water to help shape the future of collaborative water innovation in Europe. This new platform is designed to connect and accelerate water research through Open Innovation in Science (OIS). The first call for projects (2026) will focus on water efficiency and circularity in urban built environments and industry.

EIT Water creates new waves of innovation by supporting early-stage ventures, research spinouts, and SMEs on their journey to create impact across the European water landscape. The pilot initiative will enable EIT Water partners to host regional Innovation Awards during the summer and early autumn of 2026, providing innovative new solutions with a platform to gain visibility, connect with investors and new markets. Winners from the regional events across Europe will advance as finalists for the Poul Due Jensen Innovation Awards hosted at the EIT Water launch event in October 2026.

The EIT Water Hackathon Pilot will challenge students, young professionals, and start-ups to develop sustainable solutions to pressing challenges in the water, marine, and maritime (WMM) sectors. The hackathons aim to address real-world, cross-cutting challenges related to the EIT Water Strategic Objectives:

1. Healthy, clean, productive, and sustainable waters
2. Water smart: water efficiency, recycling and resource circularity
3. Resilient WMM to climate extremes and external threats fostering impactful solutions that reflect the realities of both local and pan-European water landscapes.

The EIT Water hackathon pilots will run from July to September 2026, with exact dates to be confirmed.