Relations between the EIT and the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (EIT KICs), as the beneficiaries of the EIT grant, are laid down in agreements that set out their respective rights and obligations, ensure an adequate level of coordination, and outline the mechanism for monitoring and evaluating Knowledge and Innovation Community portfolios and outcomes.

These comprise two types of agreements:

• The long-term relations between the EIT and each EIT Knowledge and Innovation Community (EIT KIC) will be formalised within a seven-year Partnership Agreement (PA) laying down the general terms and conditions under which the KIC operates as an Institutionalised European Partnership. Subject to positive performance, interim review and outcome of comprehensive assessment of the KIC, the PA can be extended for another period of a maximum of seven years.
• The Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement  (MGA) is the contractual instrument  laying down the provisions concerning the implementation of the KIC Business Plan, Cross-KIC activities, etc. through grants, on an annual or multi-annual basis.

The agreements are signed by the EIT Director, as the EIT’s legal representative, and the EIT KIC’s Legal Entity CEO, as its legal representative. An EIT KIC partner may benefit from the EIT grant by signing an internal agreement with the KIC’s Legal Entity and participating in activities.