During the last two years, the Institute launched a call for Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) which led to the selection of the first three KICs, now up and running and producing their first visible results. In order to meet the tight deadlines outlined in its founding Regulation, a learning-by-doing and „can do" approaches were applied.

As a result, the EIT has been able to identify and take on board the lessons learnt from this its establishment phase in shaping its future. To this end, the Institute has progressively put in place the policies, mechanisms and measures needed to ensure it is best prepared to bridge the gap between the current financial perspective (covering the period of 2007-2013) and the future Multi Annual Financial Framework (MFF) (2014-2020). The EIT's Strategic Innovation Agenda (SIA) presented by the European Commission on 30 November 2011 proposes six additional KICs by 2018 and a budget increase from € 308 million to € 3.1 billion for the next MFF.

A final decision on the legislative package is expected during the course of 2013. As a result, this rolling Triennial Work Programme (TWP) for 2013-2015 outlines the priorities and activities planned by the EIT on the basis of currently available input, i.e. the proposals for the EIT‟s first SIA, the amended EIT regulation and the package for the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation - Horizon 2020. Being an integral part of Horizon 2020 as of 2014, the EIT's activities will blend into and consistently contribute to Horizon 2020's overall policy objectives.

Already to date, the current three KICs complement existing EU policies and initiatives in their respective thematic area of climate change mitigation and adaptation, next generation ICT, and sustainable energy. To this end, the TWP becomes a road map for the next three years of how the EIT plans to implement its innovation agenda across Europe by consolidating and scaling up its operations with current and future KICs as well as deploying in full its role as an innovation Institute to the benefit of Europe at large.

To read the EIT's Triennial Work Programme, click here.

Preparing for the EIT’s Next Round of KICs
With the EIT and KIC concept having been validated, the EIT will during 2013-2015 continue to build on its distinct features that include its funding model, the high degree of integration of the KICs, their long-term strategic approach and innovative governance structures as well as their emphasis on EITpartnering  with  a  clear  focus  on  result  and  impact-orientation,  simplified  and  operational  excellence,dissemination of innovation models, good practices and thought leadership.

As set out in the SIA, the EIT must be ready to launch the next wave of KICs, the future Call for Proposals, its criteria and details of the selection process will be subject to a decision by the renewed EIT Governing Board. Moreover, the EIT Governing Board will take a  decision on the evaluation process building on lessons learnt from the first KIC call, exploring good practices in the EU and  beyond  regarding  peer  review  processes  and  selection  of  experts.  The  EIT  will  put  in  place  all necessary logistical and technical measures to ensure that core processes are safeguarded.
In the first quarter 2013, the EIT plans to organise a kick-off seminar on individual themes for the next wave of KICs once adopted by the European Parliament and Council with a view to bringing together strategic  stakeholders  and  EIT  representatives  as  well  as  representatives  from  relevant  European Commission   services   and   EU   programmes   to   enable   opportunities   for   future   synergies   and complementarities by future KIC proposers.
In the second quarter of 2013, the EIT aims to publish the selection criteria applicable to the next wave of KICs. A key component to ensure a successful next round of KICs is the issuance of timely and clear guidance on requirements and processes. Thus, with a view to reach out to as large an audience as possible, the EIT will issue an Applicants Manual based on the lessons learned from the first call for KICs  covering  major  topics  from  a  legal  (e.g.  options  for  legal  set-up,  IPR  issues),  governance, operational  (e.g.  monitoring,  key  performance  indicators),  and  financial  standpoints  that  will  help
applicants in their preparation for the submission of excellent proposals. In doing so, the EIT will make available  factual  lessons  learnt  from  the  models,  structures  and  activities  of  the  existing  three  KICs (including the co-location concept), budget and financial issues (e.g. non-EIT funding sources), and key features of the model contracts to concluded by the EIT.
Moreover, subsequent to the call launch, with a view to ensuring a wide participation in the next wave of KICs, the EIT will organise one Info Day event with a view to raising awareness among stakeholders on the objectives and strategy of the EIT. The EIT will ensure timely access to relevant information to stakeholders  across  the  EU. 
Within  three  months following  the  adoption  of  the  Multi-annual  Financial  Framework  (MFF) by  the European Parliament and Council expected for the second half of 2013, the EIT will launch the Call for KICs ensuring  that potential  proposers  will  be  given  sufficient  time  (between  four  to  six  months) to
develop  their  strategies, to  organise  the  partnership, and  to  respond  to  the  call. The  EIT  will  also ensure that a proper electronic proposal submission system is in place.
About nine to twelve months after the MFF adoption, the EIT will conduct the evaluation of proposals received aiming to designate the new KICs by the end of 2014 or early 2015 at the latest. The grant allocation will take place within the first six months following the designation. In the meantime, the EIT will nurture and support the designated KICs in their founding phase, namely by providing some seed funding to facilitate their set-up (akin to the 2010 Preparatory Grant Agreements signed with the first three designated KICs).
 

Source: http://eit.europa.eu/newsroom-and-media/article/eit-2013-2015-triennial-work-programme-published/