About us
InnoNext connects talented researchers and innovators with European start-ups, SMEs and research-driven companies through innovation Internships designed to foster knowledge transfer, collaboration and real-world impact.
With InnoNext, you can access tailored opportunities on both sides of the innovation journey:
- If you are an EIC-backed or otherwise eligible hosting company, you can bring highly skilled talents into your team with no financial burden for your organisation.
- If you are an EIC-backed researcher or eligible talent, you can gain hands-on experience in an innovative company, expand your professional network and bring your research expertise closer to the market.
We support two main types of Innovation Internships:
- Deep Tech Talents - Research-Focused Internships: Talents collaborate on cutting-edge projects, addressing technological challenges and advancing research applications in the European entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Aspiring Innovators - Entrepreneurship-focused Internships: Innovators gain hands-on business experience and entrepreneurial skills while contributing to real-world solutions.
Innovation Internships last 3 months. For talents currently involved in a funded project, financial support may be provided either by the relevant EU programme or by InnoNext, according to the applicable eligibility rules.
Want to learn more? Visit our YouTube channel to find the recordings of our webinars, including testimonials from participants:
Our impact
InnoNext has grown rapidly, bringing together an European community of talents and companies across different innovation sectors. By the numbers:
How to join
InnoNext hosts an ongoing open call for hosting companies and talents. You can apply anytime through the InnoNext platform:
- Companies and talents must register on the InnoNext platform, follow the instructions to complete their application, and provide the information needed to assess their eligibility.
- Talents can browse suggested opportunities or explore the vacancies that best match their interests, while companies can view the talents who have applied and contact the profiles that best fit their needs. The matchmaking system supports the connection between companies and talents.
- Once a match has been identified, the InnoNext team carries out the required eligibility checks and supports the administrative activation process.
- After the internship starts, we remain available to provide support throughout the collaboration, including mentoring and guidance on specific aspects of the internship activity.
Innovation Internships must be completed by July 2027.
Eiligibility
Eligible talents
- EIC-backed talents: EIC Pathfinder PhD candidate, EIC Pathfinder Postdoctoral researchers, EIC Transition researchers, EIC Pathfinder or Transition assistant professors or researchers with several years of professional or postdoctoral experience, up to tenure track positions (probationary period); EIC Alumni Talents who have previously participated in projects funded by eligible EU programmes from all the categories listed above.
- EIT Talents: Students or graduates from EIT Label Master’s or Doctoral programmes, EIT Alumni members, researchers from other postdoctoral training programmes funded by the EIT Community, other KICs education programmes.
- ERC Talents: PhD and/or postdoctoral researchers participating in projects funded by the European Research Council (ERC), ERC assistant professors or researchers with several years of professional or postdoctoral experience, up to tenure track positions (probationary period), ERC Alumni Talents who have previously participated in projects funded by eligible EU programmes from all the categories listed above.
- MSCA Talents: Fellows participating in Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships, fellows participating in Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks, fellows participating in Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND, MSCA assistant professors or researchers with several years of professional or postdoctoral experience, up to tenure track positions (probationary period), MSCA Alumni Talents who have previously participated in projects funded by eligible EU programmes from all the categories listed above.
- RI Talents: PHD and/or postdoctoral researcher participating as a consortium member in a project funded by the Research Infrastructures part of Horizon Europe, RI assistant professors or researchers with several years of professional or postdoctoral experience, up to tenure track positions (probationary period), RI Alumni Talents who have previously participated in projects funded by eligible EU programmes from all the categories listed above.
For talents belonging to specific eligible categories, InnoNext also provides dedicated financial support. You can find more information on the applicable financial support and eligibility conditions in the FAQ section of InnoNext Website.
Eligible companies
- EIC-backed companies: Start-ups and SMEs supported by the EIC Accelerator (including H2020 SME instrument), EIC awarded Seal of Excellence companies, start-ups and SMEs supported by EIC Transition, start-ups and SMEs supported by EIC Pathfinder, SMEs and Seal of Excellence holders who applied to the EIC UA tech innovators call and EIC Pre-Accelerator call, EIC Alumni Companies previously received support under eligible EU programmes from all the categories listed above.
- EIT Companies: Start-ups and SMEs supported by the EIT Community and its business creation services, businesses founded with support from Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), companies that have partnered with KICs for innovation activities, start-ups or scale-ups with at least one co-founder who is an EIT Alumni member.
- MSCA Companies: Start-ups and SMEs supported by MSCA, MSCA Alumni Companies previously received support under eligible EU programmes from all the categories listed above.
Work with us
We welcome collaboration with organisations that work closely with InnoNext eligible beneficiaries, including National Contact Points, programme representatives, innovation ecosystems, research networks, universities, incubators, accelerators and other relevant stakeholder communities.
If you are in contact with eligible talents or companies and would like to explore possible synergies to help them access InnoNext opportunities, you can get in touch with us, contacting the Team at: info
innonext-project [dot] eu (info[at]innonext-project[dot]eu)
Stay up to date
You can stay updated on InnoNext opportunities, activities and open calls through the following channels:
Get in touch
If you have any questions, please contact us through the EIC Community’s contact page selecting the category 'InnoNext', or visit the InnoNext website, or contact us at infoinnonext-project [dot] eu (info[at]innonex-project[dot]eu).