EU Institutions, Agencies & Bodies

As a proud member of the EU family, we cooperate closely with our fellow EU institutions to fulfil our mission of a more sustainable and competitive Europe.

The European Commission

The Commission directly appoints members of our Governing Board (link) and designates an observer to take part in their meetings. Their staff works with us daily to ensure fluid coordination. We are part of the EU Commission’s portfolio covering Education, Youth, Sport and Culture. 

We also signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) and bilateral agreements with other EU Commission agencies:

• The European Innovation Council (EIC), who complement our work in support of innovators and entrepreneurs across Europe through their unique funding model. We work with the EIC on joint business acceleration projects and on the new EIC-EIT European Prize for Women Innovators.
• The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) who since 2020 has collaborated with us on increasing our beneficiaries’ knowledge of IP and the benefits of IP protection. We also jointly disseminate IP best practices and IP awareness raising campaigns.
• The European Patent Office (EPO), who helps us provide expertise, support, and trainings on patenting to innovators and businesses across Europe. 

The European Parliament

Four parliamentary committees have a large stake in our work:

• The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), responsible for research and innovation policies and activities.
• The Committee on Culture and Education (CULT), responsible for educational and cultural policies including policymaking for the cultural and creative industries.
• The Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT), responsible for controlling and monitoring the use of the EU budget including for our activities. 

The Council of the EU

The Council’s Working Party on Research discusses research and innovation programmes and instruments including the EIT. The EIT Director has been periodically invited by the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU to participate in their meetings to present EIT activities and achievements.