Join us in co-creating the future of digital business education in Europe
Are you ready to contribute to a new Master School programme that will equip tomorrow’s digital leaders with the business excellence, innovation mindset, and technological expertise needed to transform Europe’s future?
Submit your proposal to EIT Digital Design of the Master Programme in Business Excellence to collaborate in building an innovative, dual-degree Master’s programme focused on equipping future executives with advanced strategic and digital leadership skills.
What We’re Looking For
- We are seeking strong and motivated university partners to help us develop a Master’s programme focused on Business Excellence. The programme will address Europe’s strategic need for digital transformation by combining:
- Academic excellence in business, technology, and innovation
- Entrepreneurial learning rooted in real-world industry challenges
- Mobility across European institutions
- Deep integration of EIT Digital’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) framework
EIT Digital is seeking partners to build a portfolio of design of the Master Programme in Business excellence programme between October and December 2025.
Why Get Involved?
This is more than just a master programme design project. By joining, you become part of EIT Digital’s leading education ecosystem, with access to a network of top European universities, research institutes, and industry players.
Benefits include:
- Dual Master’s Degrees
Students graduate with two official diplomas – one from each university they study at – plus the prestigious EIT Label Certificate. - Financial Support for Students
Scholarships and fee waivers are available, ensuring the best talent can access the programme. - International Mobility
Students join programme activities like the Kick-Off, Summer School and Graduation in different countries, with travel partially funded by EIT Digital. - A Strong Alumni Network
Graduates become part of a Europe-wide alumni community offering job opportunities, mentoring, and lifelong connections. - A Diverse and Inclusive Environment
EIT Digital attracts multicultural cohorts with diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
Timeline
- Proposal submission opens: 16 June 2025
- Information session: 25 June 2025
- Proposal submission closes: 14 August 2025 at 17:00 CET (hard deadline, no extension will be granted)
How to participate?
The call is open from 16 June 2025 to 14 August 2025 at 17:00 CEST. Proposals must be submitted through the official EIT Digital submission platform.
An online Info Session will take place on 25 June 2025, from 13:00-14:00. This is your chance to ask questions and hear directly from the team behind the initiative. Please register for the session here. If you are unable to attend, but would like further assistance with your proposal, please reach out to proposal_support@eitdigital.eu
The call is open to universities in EU Member States or Horizon Europe-associated countries, with at least one partner already affiliated with EIT Digital. At least one institution in the consortium must hold an international accreditation.
For all details on eligibility and submission requirements, consult the official call documentation.
Still have questions?
Contact us at: proposal_support@eitdigital.eu
Let’s Build the Future – Together
The demand for strategic business leaders with deep digital expertise is rising fast. By joining this call, you’ll be helping create an innovative, pan-European programme that meets this demand head-on.
Take part in designing a truly European education experience – one that combines academic rigour, industrial relevance, and a strong entrepreneurial foundation.
Information for non-partners
To submit an application, you are required to register on the intranet and complete your company information as if you were to become an official partner. However, this step does not formalize the partnership process, nor does it involve the payment of any fees at this stage.
The formalization of the partnership, including any fee requirements, will only take place if the proposal is selected. Therefore, registering on the intranet and providing your company information is purely a procedural step for proposal submission and does not imply any commitment or financial obligation for the partners at this point.
FAQ
How to participate?
You can participate by submitting a proposal for the delivery of Design of the Master Programme in Business Excellence. Please carefully review the “Design of the Master Programme in Business Excellence” document for detailed participation and programme design guidelines.
Who can participate in submitting a proposal?
EIT Digital is a partnership organisation. This implies that organisations owning the selected proposals are expected to be or become Partners of EIT Digital.
How can I submit a proposal if my organisation is already a Partner of the EIT Digital?
The proposal submission process remains the same. Partners can submit their proposal through the designated platform starting 16 June 2025.
My organization is not an EIT Digital Partner, can I participate in a proposal?
Yes, you can. To submit an application, you are required to register on the intranet and complete your company information as if you were to become an official partner. However, this step does not formalize the partnership process, nor does it involve the payment of any fees at this stage.
The formalization of the partnership, including any fee requirements, will only take place if the proposal is selected.
What kind of Partnership models are there and how to initiate a Partner application?
Please see partnership models for more information about becoming an EIT Digital Partner and provide initial information via the questionnaire for new organisations. This will initiate the Partner application process and put you in contact with the relevant EIT Digital Node. You will receive a Partner ID required to register for access to the EIT Digital Intranet page and its proposal submission system.
What happens if the proposal is selected and we are not a Partner organization of the EIT Digital?
Organisations that are not formal Partners can apply to become EIT Digital Partners. If the proposal is selected, organisations must complete the partnership to be eligible to participate in the activity. Please note that Partnership decisions are pending approval of the relevant EIT Digital governance bodies. You can read about EIT Digital’s partnership model agreement at this link.
Is there a list of partners who are already working with EIT Digital?
The list of partners is available on the EIT Digital website, in the “Become a partner” section.
When is the Call open?
- Submission system opens: 16 June 2025
- Proposal submission closes: 14 August 2025 at 17:00 CET (hard deadline)
- Information session: 25 June 2025
Who can submit the proposals?
The call is open to organisations capable of launching a Master Programme under the EIT Digital Master School portfolio. Eligible participants include higher education institutions with expertise in business education, digital technology, and innovation.
What should the proposals present?
Proposals should present a detailed plan for launching a Master Programme in Business Excellence under the EIT Digital Master School, starting from September 2026.
What topic should the proposal be about?
The topic should align with EIT Digital Strategic Innovation Agenda. Focus areas include:
- Emerging digital technologies and business education integration
- Bridging the digital skills gap
- Fostering entrepreneurial and innovation mindsets among students
I want to know more detailed information about the EIT Digital Strategic Innovation Agenda.
Digital Tech
Inventing the digital future with core technologies providing secure, robust, responsive and intelligent communications and computation.
Keywords: Connectivity, Cyber Security and Privacy, Blockchain, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Digital ID Management, Cloud Computing, Machine Learning, Authentication, Biometrics, User Behaviour Analytics.
Digital Industry
The digital transformation of the industry, from production to logistics to retail.
Keywords: Smart Manufacturing, Predictive Maintenance, Industry 4.0, Energy Efficiency, Resource and Asset Management, Retail, Logistics, Customer Experience, Supply Chain Management, Image Recognition.
Digital Cities
Serving the cities with digital technologies addression urban mobility, citizen inclusiveness and engagement, and city safety.
Keywords: Smart City, Smart Mobility, Safety & Security, Urban Development, Autonomous Driving, Citizen Services, Citizen Participation, Environmental Management, Energy Management, Sustainability.
Digital Wellbeing
Safeguarding health for the youth, the working professional and the elderly by analysing sensor data.
Keywords: Wellbeing at Work, Self Monitoring, Prevention, Early Detection, Assisted Living, Occupational and Personal Health, Rehab, Mental and Physical Impairment Support, Coping with Chronic Diseases.
Digital Finance
The disruption of digital transactions and institutions with technologies that allow transparency, efficiency, security and trust.
Keywords: Banking, FinTech, Payments, Insurtech, Wealth/Asset Management, Cyber Security, Big Data, Mobile Banking.
For more information about the five Strategic Focus Areas, read our Strategic Innovation Agenda 2022-2024.
What happens with the selected proposals?
Selected proposals will design the master programme and become part of the EIT Digital portfolio. Later, EIT Digital will provide funding and strategic support to co-develop and deliver the educational programme.
What happens after the proposal is selected?
The proposal will design the master programme.
What is the timeline for submission of a proposal?
- Submission system opens: 16 June 2025
- Information session: 25 June 2025
- Proposal submission closes: 14 August 2025
- Feedback to selected/rejected activities: September 2025
- Appeal window (5 days): September 2025
- Proposal adjustments window (5 business days): September 2025
- Activities start: October 2025
Where do I find information about the proposal submission?
Please see here.
When is the information session?
An information session will be held on 25 June 2025.
