The EIT Community New European Bauhaus (NEB) has launched the €1 million Catalyse NEB 2026 programme, a major European funding call to support 20 impact-driven startups across Europe. The initiative is part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and aims to accelerate ventures that blend sustainability, design, and inclusion,  the core values of the New European Bauhaus movement.

Overview

Through Catalyse NEB 2026, selected startups will gain the tools, funding, and European network needed to scale their solutions responsibly. The programme supports innovators working at the crossroads of creativity, technology, and sustainability, from climate and circular economy, to food, manufacturing, urban mobility, and wellbeing.

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Delivered by EIT Climate-KIC, with partners including EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing, and EIT Urban Mobility, the call strengthens cross-sector collaboration and fosters startups that help turn the European Green Deal into reality through human-centred design.

Benefits

Each of the 20 selected startups will receive a €50,000 support package, including a combination of financial support, in-kind services, and mentoring, as well as an additional €22,000 grant for travel, dissemination, and participation costs.

Startups will also benefit from:

• Tailored business and communication mentoring aligned with NEB values
• Training workshops on strategy, storytelling, and impact measurement
• Visibility and investor exposure through EIT events and pan-European platforms
• Integration into the EIT Community network of over 2,000 partners and 60 innovation hubs

Who Can Apply

Startups must be:

• Legally registered in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe–Associated Country
• Founded on or after 1 January 2021
• At pre-seed, seed, or early-stage (up to Series A)
• Have raised less than €1 million in total
• Led by at least one founder who will actively participate in the programme
• Ready to sign a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) with the EIT

Startups must also demonstrate one of the following:

• ≥ €15,000 in revenue in 2024
• ≥ €40,000 in external investment
• Participation in the Grow NEB programme

Projects must address at least one New European Bauhaus challenge:

• Reconnecting with nature
• Regaining a sense of belonging
• Prioritising places and people most in need
• Fostering long-term, circular thinking and life-cycle design

How to Apply

• Call opens: 27 October 2025
• Information session: 26 November 2025, Register here.
• Deadline: 19 January 2026, 17:00 CEST
• Evaluation period: January – April 2026
• Programme start: 25 May 2026

Applications must be submitted via the official EIT NEB Awards Platform

LvlUp Ventures has teamed up with Semrush to host the LvlUp x Semrush Pitch Competition on November 30, 2025 (virtually), giving founders the chance to pitch their startups to active investors and secure up to $130,000 in potential funding.

Overview

The competition offers a platform for early-stage founders to showcase their traction, connect with investors, and win tangible startup capital. Each founder gets three minutes live to present their story before a judging panel that includes Adam Ned, Principal at LvlUp Ventures, and AJ Smith, Partner at Outlander VC.

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What’s on Offer

• $5,000 starter investment from LvlUp Ventures
• Fast-track consideration for a $125,000 follow-on round
• $100 grant for every participating startup

The event is fully virtual, designed to be accessible and founder-friendly while providing real exposure to investors actively funding early-stage ventures.

How to Apply

Founders can apply by filling out the LvlUp Ventures Funding Application

Global venture Sequoia Capital has launched two major early-stage funds totaling about €874 million (USD $950 million): €690 million Series A fund and a €184 million seed fund. 

Cyprus: Take Note

Sequoia’s latest move is not just flashy. It’s a door for European startups to enter the global market. Asked about its Europe ambitions, Sequoia partner Luciana Lixandru said: “I am excited to meet founders who use Europe as their product and engineering hub, but who want to take over the world.” 

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Cyprus’s startup ecosystem is in a strong position to take advantage of this initiative. The island’s cost-effective engineering talent, EU-market access, and growing start-up ecosystem make it a natural fit for global investors. For ambitious Cypriot tech founders, this means:

• A top-tier VC placing real bets in Europe.
• A chance to lead in clusters (AI, deep tech, SaaS) where Sequoia is seeking “outlier founders”.
• Better deal terms and access when you’re European but thinking global, especially since Cyprus is EU-based and specialists can build here, scale globally.

What Sequoia Is Looking For

The new funds target:

• Seed stage: Pre-product or early traction teams.
• Series A: Companies with product-market fit, ready to scale.
• Europe-centric teams built for global impact: “Europe’s founder pool has never been stronger,” Sequoia says.

For Cypriot founders, this means being ready for global ambition, not just local sales.

What to Do Now

• Sharpen your pitch for scale: Show global ambition, not just local deployment.
• Build around team & tech: Sequoia emphasises founders who can “go from zero to global”.
• Get exposed to talent networks: Use Cyprus as a tech base; show you can scale out.
• Position for early bets: Pre-seed and seed rounds could be especially attractive right now, given the size of the seed fund.
• When ready, get in touch.

About Sequoia Capital

Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Menlo Park, Sequoia Capital has been behind some of the world’s most successful tech companies, from Apple and Google to Stripe and Airbnb. With its revived focus on Europe, it is doubling down on early-stage investing and looking for local founders with a global mindset.

Welthungerhilfe, one of Germany’s largest and most respected development organisations, has launched the Global Food System Challenge, offering $1 million in total awards to accelerate transformative ideas that make food systems more nutritious, sustainable, and equitable.

Founded in 1962, Welthungerhilfe (WHH) operates in more than 30 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Its mission is to end hunger and malnutrition through sustainable, locally driven solutions, focusing on food security, climate resilience, and rural innovation. The organisation is now taking the lead in managing this annual challenge, previously hosted by the Seeding The Future Foundation, bringing a development-sector lens to food innovation.

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Overview

The Challenge invites mission-driven organisations to submit innovations that address one or more of three global priorities:

1. Safe and nutritious food for all
2. Sustainable production and regenerative practices
3. Equitable access to affordable and appealing food

Applications open 15 October 2025 and close 15 December 2025.

Awards are divided into three tiers:

• Seed Grants ($25,000)– Up to 8 Seed Grants will be awarded to organisations that are planning and nurturing high-potential, innovative ideas and have developed a prototype and/or initial proof of concept demonstrating feasibility. Innovation must benefit at least one, ideally two, domains of the Innovation Focus Area without negatively impacting others
• Growth Grants ($100,000)– Up to 3 Growth Grants will be awarded to organisations that have demonstrated that their innovation is doable and have projected both economic feasibility at scale and high-impact potential to transform the food system. The innovation must benefit at least two, ideally three, domains with no negative impact on the others.
• Seeding The Future Grand Prizes ($250,000)–  up to 2 Seeding The Future Grand Prizes will be awarded to organisations that have created innovations that are scalable, economically feasible at scale, trusted, and compelling to consumers, and have demonstrated major impact potential to transform food systems. The innovation must benefit at least two, ideally three domains with no negative impact on the others.

Who Can Apply

The competition is open to non-profits, NGOs, research institutions, and early-stage for-profit or social enterprises worldwide. Individuals are not eligible. Applicants must demonstrate that their innovations have moved beyond the conceptual stage and can deliver measurable benefits across nutrition, sustainability, or equitable access.

Programme Context & Benefits

Now under Welthungerhilfe’s leadership, the Global Food System Challenge aligns innovation with humanitarian and development objectives. In addition to financial awards, winners receive mentorship, visibility through WHH’s global network, and opportunities for collaboration with major food-system actors, including NGOs, investors, and international agencies.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Welthungerhilfe Challenge Portal.

• Opening date: 15 October 2025
• Deadline: 15 December 2025
• Submissions must include a completed application form, budget template, and institutional documentation (such as registration proof and financial statements).

Proposals undergo eligibility checks, expert review, and finalist interviews before the awards are announced.

Overview

She Shapes AI, founded in 2024, is now accepting applications for its 2025/26 Global Awards, opening 15 October 2025. The annual awards spotlight women leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators using artificial intelligence responsibly to create real-world social impact.

Participation offers more than recognition. It provides access to a global ecosystem of partners, experts, and opportunities looking for AI projects that combine innovation with ethics and accountability.

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How to Apply

• The application window opens on 15 October 2025 and remains open until 8 December 2025, 11:59 PM CET.
• Applications are submitted via the Awards Platform (linked through the She Shapes AI site).
• Prospective applicants should carefully review the award categories, evaluation criteria, and submission guidelines posted on the platform.

Who Should Apply / Eligibility

• The Awards are designed for women innovators, leaders, entrepreneurs, or professionals working in AI or AI-adjacent domains.
• Applicants should be driving projects, solutions, or leadership in AI with a focus on responsible, impactful, ethical AI.
• Participants from around the world are welcome.
• Participants can nominate themselves or nominate a leader who is creating impact with responsible AI.

Award Categories

The 2025/26 Awards spotlight female leaders and innovators who advance and use AI responsibly across ten categories, crossing sectors and disciplines. Each category celebrates a unique nexus of innovation, responsibility, and impact.

The categories are:

• AI + the Future of Work
• AI + Education
• AI + Finance
• AI + Health
• AI + Food Agriculture
• AI + Trust & Security
• AI + Media & Creative Industries
• AI + Climate
• Thought Leadership in AI
• AI Wild Card

Benefits

• Visibility & amplification across She Shapes AI’s channels and partner networks.
• Network access to leaders, investors, and organisations seeking responsible AI talent and solutions.
• Entry into a global community connecting innovation with ethics and social impact. 

How to Apply / Nominate

• Window opens 15 Oct 2025 and closes 8 Dec 2025, 23:59 CET.
• Submit via the awards platform linked from the She Shapes AI site.
• Review the categories, criteria, and submission guidelines on the platform before you start the application.

About She Shapes AI

Founded by Dr Julia Stamm, She Shapes AI is a platform and movement dedicated to amplifying women’s leadership in responsible artificial intelligence. The organisation builds bridges between AI innovation, ethics, and social outcomes by offering awards, training, events, and networks that support women in AI globally. 

The Global Awards are a flagship initiative, now in its second edition, aimed at elevating voices, projects, and leaders who are shaping AI with vision, integrity, and impact.

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) is set to accelerate its digital transformation initiatives with the launch of a pivotal public tender. This strategic endeavor seeks specialist services to evaluate digital needs, develop comprehensive technical specifications, and oversee the integration of advanced artificial intelligence tools across its operations.

Driving Strategic Digital Innovation

Designated as tender number 04/2025/THALEIA, the award process will prioritize the most economically advantageous proposal by focusing on cost efficiency. This project is co-financed under the THALEIA programme, a key component of the EU Cohesion Policy 2012–2027, reinforcing the commitment to foster innovation and reinforce operational competitiveness within the region.

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Bid Submission Guidelines

Prospective contractors are advised that the deadline for bid submission is Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 12:00 noon. Submissions should be delivered directly to the Keve Tender Box located at 3 Deligiorgi Street, 1066 Nicosia. For additional information or to clarify tender document queries, interested parties may submit their requests in writing via email to keve@ccci.com until October 23, 2025.

Comprehensive Tender Documentation

Tender documents, including the main notice and annexes, are available on Keve’s official website. These materials provide detailed instructions essential for an informed application process, ensuring transparency and robust competition in this drive toward digital excellence.

The Research & Innovation Foundation (RIF) has announced a new €4.6 million funding call under the “Post-Doc” programme to support post-doctoral researchers leading ambitious projects across Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering, and Social & Human Sciences. The programme aims to strengthen Cyprus’s research capacity, create high-skill jobs, and retain top talent.

Who should apply

The call is open to:

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• Post-doctoral researchers who will coordinate the project. The coordinator must hold a PhD awarded within the last 7 years(extensions allowed for maternity/paternity, military service, or certified long-term sick leave). 
• Each Post-Doc can participate only in one (1) proposal, and each proposal can include
• only one (1) Post-Doc. The Post-Doc must be named in the proposal and will be the Coordinator of the Proposal, and will be committed to working on the proposal for its whole duration. If the Post-Doc leaves the project, the project and its funding will be terminated.
• Post-doc researchers must be employed by a Cyprus-based Host Organisation (Research Organisation, Enterprise, or Other Organisation) for the full duration of the project.
• Host Organisations may be Research Organisations (A1/A2), Enterprises (B1/B2/B3), or Other Organisations (C1/C2) established in Cyprus. Large Enterprises (incl. private universities) may participate only if an SME also participates in the Cypriot consortium.

Benefits

Projects must fall into one of the following three scientific fields: Life Sciences, Physical Sciences and Engineering, and Social Sciences and Humanities. 

Grant per project (cap):

• €150,000 for projects in Life Sciences and Physical Sciences & Engineering
• €120,000 for projects in Social Sciences & Humanities
• Project duration: 24 months

Total call budget: €4.6 million, allocated by scientific area:

• €1.65m – Life Sciences
• €1.65m – Physical Sciences & Engineering
• €1.30m – Social Sciences & Humanities

Funding inside each scientific area is further split by host-type category, to ensure balanced participation:

• Category A: Research Organisations & Other Organisations
• Category B: Enterprises

Fair-selection note (applies at the funding stage): In each scientific area, the first two eligible proposals coordinated by a woman are selected first (where applicable), then the remaining proposals are funded in ranked order until the budget is used. This can improve the chances of funding for top-scoring proposals with female coordinators.

How to apply

• Register on IRIS
  The project coordinator (post-doctoral researcher) and all Cyprus-based participating organisations must be registered in advance on the IRIS Portal. Review the Guide for Applicants and IRIS Portal User Manual in the IRIS document library before you start.
• Select the correct call
  Choose POST-DOC/0925 (Category A: RO & Other; Category B: Enterprises) and confirm your scientific field (Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering, or Social Sciences & Humanities) matches the Work Programme codes.
• Prepare your proposal package (use the official templates) 
  Part A – General Information & Budget: Complete the online form in IRIS.
  Part B – Technical Annex (PDF): upload exactly the Part B template provided under the call documents—no modifications.
  Annex I – CV: Coordinator’s CV (PDF) — mandatory.
  Annex III – Call-specific information (PDFs):
  a) Single-submission declaration (“this project has been submitted only once to either EXCELLENCE/0925 or POST-DOC/0925”) — mandatory.
  b) PhD certificate of the coordinator — mandatory.
  c) If applicable, proofs for allowable extensions to the 7-year PhD window (e.g., maternity/paternity, military service, certified long-term sick leave).
• Check key eligibility points (save time at preliminary check)
  The post-doctoral coordinator must have earned the PhD within 7 years before the call announcement (formal extensions accepted as above); must be employed by the Host Organisation in Cyprus for the full 24 months; and must allocate ≥70% of project months (timesheets). Only one coordinator per proposal, and each coordinator may appear in only one proposal in this call. 
• Submit before the deadline
  Finalise and submit in IRIS by Friday, 28 November 2025, 13:00 (Cyprus local time).
  Late submissions won’t be accepted.
• Know what evaluators look for
  Proposals undergo a preliminary check and remote peer review by two independent evaluators.
  Compatibility (programme objectives, Do No Significant Harm, and allowable TRLs 1–8) is verified before scoring.
  Evaluation criteria: Excellence (40%), Added Value & Benefit (20%), Implementation (40%).

Support & queries: support@research.org.cy| +357 22205000.
IRIS document library and call documents are available via the portal.

The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) has published a set of nine new open calls under the 2025 EU4Health Work Programme, reflecting the European Commission’s health policy priorities through DG SANTE.

These calls cover topics including cancer screening (gastric, lung, prostate), cardiovascular and non-communicable diseases, AI and health data for biotech innovation, orphan medical devices (especially pediatric), pricing & access, and health conference funding.

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The indicative budget for all nine calls is €56,816,810.

How to Apply

Proposals must be submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by 6 January 2026, 17:00 CET.

An information session will take place on 9 October 2025 (10:00–15:30 CET), offering guidance on preparing proposals. Applicants are encouraged to submit their questions in advance via Slido (code #EU4H2025).

Programme

EU4Health is the fourth and largest of the EU health programmes, created to strengthen Europe’s healthcare systems while also addressing urgent health priorities such as cancer, digital transformation, and cross-border preparedness.

These new calls provide an opportunity for public health authorities, research institutes, NGOs, and other stakeholders to access EU support for projects that deliver innovation, capacity building, and better health outcomes for citizens across Europe.

The Nine Open Calls

• EU4H-2026-SANTE-PJ-01 – Pilot and implement cancer screening programmes for gastric cancer; 
• EU4H-2026-SANTE-PJ-02 – Pilot and implement cancer screening programmes for lung cancer; 
• EU4H-2026-SANTE-PJ-03 – Pilot and implement cancer screening programmes for prostate cancer; 
• EU4H-2026-SANTE-PJ-04 – A European flagship initiative leveraging AI and health data for cardiovascular health and related non-communicable diseases (Advancing Risk Prediction, Prevention, Treatments, Personalised Care, Rehabilitation); 
• EU4H-2026-SANTE-PJ-05 – Lifelong prevention for a healthy life with a focus on cardiovascular diseases; 
• EU4H-2026-SANTE-PJ-06 – Support the development of a medicine pricing, reimbursement & access tracker via the EURIPID database; 
• EU4H-2026-SANTE-PJ-07 – Call for a programme on orphan medical devices, particularly for pediatric patients; 
• EU4H-2026-SANTE-PJ-08 – Health data for biotech innovation, leveraging the European Health Data Space; 
• EU4H-2026-SANTE-PJ-09 – Proposals to contribute to the organisation of conferences.

SheBuilds, in collaboration with Lovable, has launched applications for its upcoming 48-hour online hackathon exclusively for women. The event will run Monday, October 6, and Tuesday, October 7, bringing together 60 women founders, innovators, and builders to design, prototype, and launch new applications.

Who can apply 

Women (solo or in teams) who are 18 or older, have an active Lovable paid subscription, and have an idea they want to bring to life. First-time founders, makers, and students are welcome. No prior experience required! Participants will need a paid Lovable subscription to apply and participate.

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How the Hackathon Works

Participants will collaborate online for 48 hours using the Lovable platform, supported with unlimited build credits and real-time guidance from the Lovable team. A total of 60 spots are available, divided across three tracks:

• B2B Apps – 20 places
• Consumer Apps – 20 places
• Something Else – 20 places

Projects are evaluated on creativity & originality, impact/usefulness, execution & design, and future potential. Participants will have access to a dedicated Discord channel for questions, networking, and support, plus a direct support line to organizers.

Prizes & Benefits

Category winners will receive:

• Personal mentorship from growth strategist Elena Verna
• 5,000 Lovable credits to continue building after the event
• Visibility and promotion across SheBuilds and Lovable channels

How to Apply

Applications are now open via the SheBuilds Lovable portal. Places are limited to 60 women applicants across the three categories. Applications open on September 22 (American Business Women’s Day). Simply submit your application using the form above by September 29, 2025, at 12 PM EDT. Selections announced October 1st, 2025. 

About SheBuilds

SheBuilds is a global community dedicated to empowering women in technology, entrepreneurship, and product development. By partnering with Lovable, the hackathon aims to give women builders the tools, mentorship, and visibility needed to turn early-stage ideas into viable products.

Stanford Human-Centered AI (HAI) and Google DeepMind invite computer and management-science researchers worldwide to submit bold ideas on how AI can improve and reimagine organizations, with a specific emphasis on enhancing human collaboration inside organizations (not just individual productivity). Selected teams will partner with Google DeepMind researchers, study real-world impact, co-publish findings, and share their work across multiple platforms.

About the organizers

Stanford HAI advances research, education, and policy to improve the human condition with AI and to shape AI that augments human capabilities. Google DeepMind is a leading AI research organization known for fundamental advances in machine learning and AI for science. Together, they are convening this first-of-its-kind challenge to help the global academic community build the future of organizations. 

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Submission Categories

Proposals may be submitted under one of two categories:

• New Approaches – Applied research proposals that introduce interventions using AI capabilities to address real-world organizational challenges. These ideas should be testable through field experiments at Google DeepMind or its partner organizations. Proposals under this category will be evaluated on their potential for measurable, real-world impact.
• New Paradigms – Empirical research proposals that examine foundational questions about how organizations should evolve with AI. These projects are intended to surface new frameworks, mental models, or principles and will be evaluated primarily on the novelty and conceptual significance of their contribution.

Universal Challenges

Proposals under either category should address any or all of the following five universal challenges in organizational life:

• Strategic alignment – enhancing decision-making by clarifying priorities and linking local actions to global goals, without over-reliance on top-down control.
• Coordination – enabling dynamic teaming, clear roles, and seamless cross-boundary collaboration.
• Information flow – moving beyond static reporting to real-time situational awareness.
• Workforce design – integrating human and AI agents into adaptive organizational structures.
• Culture and listening – reinforcing core values, identifying engagement patterns, and promoting healthy collaboration in real time.

How to Apply

The challenge is open to faculty and researchers worldwide. Each submission must list a full-time, tenure-track faculty member as the Primary Investigator (or advisor). Teams may include students but cannot be affiliated with private-sector companies, nor can applicants reside in territories subject to U.S. sanctions.

• Stage 1 – Initial Proposal: A three-page proposal, due by October 24, 2025, 4:00 pm PT. Shortlisted teams will be notified by November 7, 2025.
• Stage 2 – Full Proposal (by invitation): Invited teams will refine their submissions, engage in a virtual pitch day in December 2025, and present at a public conference hosted at Stanford HAI.

Awards & Recognition

Finalists will gain access to a co-hosted platform for sharing their work, invitations to contribute to a special issue of the Journal of Organization Design, and opportunities to present in the “AI for Organizations” webinar series.

Top proposals in each category will receive:

• A research award of up to $100,000 to conduct their study.
• Where relevant, engineering support from Google DeepMind to build and deploy the idea.
• The opportunity to conduct the study at Google DeepMind or with a partner organization.

Launch Events & Contact

Two virtual launch events will be held on August 28, 2025, at 9:00–10:00 am PT and 6:00–7:00 pm PT (registration links available on the challenge page). Recordings will be made publicly accessible.

Applicants can consult the FAQ on the Stanford HAI website before submitting questions to ai-for-organizations@google.com

For more information, visit the link.