Applications are now open for the 2026 edition of the EIT Jumpstarter programme, an EU-supported initiative designed to help early-stage innovators develop ideas in the raw materials sector into viable business concepts. Powered by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), the programme focuses on supporting students and researchers working on solutions that address key challenges in areas such as secondary raw materials and circular economy. The initiative is relevant as the EU continues to strengthen its innovation ecosystem and advance sustainable resource use. 

The programme offers a structured pre-acceleration pathway, combining training, mentoring, and funding opportunities to help participants refine their ideas and build business models. It targets early-stage concepts that have not yet been developed into start-ups, with a particular focus on innovations related to recovering and reusing materials. Participants benefit from individual coaching, in-person training, expert mentorship, and access to investors and industry networks. The initiative is supported by EIT RawMaterials and forms part of a broader effort to foster innovation aligned with Europe’s green, circular, and digital transitions. The deadline for applications is 8 May 2026.  

For more details, refer to the announcement on European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform.