InnoNext: Matching EIT Health talent with entrepreneurs and innovators

EIT Health is proud to announce that we are co-leading a new initiative to address the scarcity of highly qualified talent in the European innovation job market: InnoNext, the EU Next Generation Innovation Talents scheme.

We are co-leading this initiative alongside the European Innovation Council (EIC) and other Knowledge and Innovation Communities that are, like us, part of the European Insititute of Innovation and Technology.

Through its matchmaking platform, InnoNext connects students, alumni and researchers with start-ups and scale-ups associated with key European based programmes. The programmes include Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), European Research, EIC and the EIT. Through internship placements, the scheme helps educated talents develop entrepreneurial skills, contribute to impactful innovation, and strengthen the European innovation ecosystem.

Using an AI-driven matching platform, InnoNext pairs bright deep-tech talents and aspiring innovators with companies based on their skills and industry needs. The initiative aims to equip Europe’s brightest minds with the entrepreneurial and management expertise needed to drive the future of European innovation.

InnoNext builds on EIT Health’s ongoing commitment to closing the skills gap and strengthening Europe’s innovation capacity. As part of the wider EIT Community, EIT Health has led and contributed to several key initiatives such as BRIGHTskills, Skill Sync, and the Union of Skills, all designed to improve talent matching and equip individuals with the skills needed in emerging sectors. These efforts complement InnoNext by offering tools, training pathways and cross-sector collaboration opportunities that empower learners, researchers and innovators to thrive in fast-evolving fields like deep tech and health innovation. Together, these initiatives reinforce EIT Health’s role as a driver of future-ready talent in Europe.

Applications are now open for both EIT supported start-ups and learners. Internships will last between three and six months and must be completed by the end of October 2025. Selected candidates will receive a stipend of up to 2,000 EUR per month.

This is a unique opportunity for individuals interested in gaining hands-on experience in Europe’s innovation ecosystem and developing entrepreneurial and management skills, while contributing to impactful projects. At the same time, it offers organisations the opportunity to benefit from the fresh thinking of qualified and highly motivated interns.

Whilst any EIT Health supported start-up is welcome to participate in this scheme, only participants or alumni of the following education programmes will be considered:

• Master in Technological Innovation in Health
• International Master in Innovative Medicine
• Master in Health Data Science
• Master in Entrepreneurship in Digital Health
• SciFi
• Ageing PhD School
• Behealsy: PhD Module in Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems
• Certified Innovation Path.

To learn more about the application process and eligibility, visit InnoNext’s website.