Project AI-InnoScEnCE

Artificial Intelligence
Circular Economy
Innovation Management
Entrepreneurship Education
Science–Industry Collaboration
Capacity Building
Higher Education Transformation
Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to strengthen innovation capacity, entrepreneurship, and circular economy transitions across European higher education institutions.
Published

May 17, 2025

Research

© Anne Gärtner

Project AI-InnoScEnCE
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Circular Economy
  • Innovation Management
  • Entrepreneurship Education
  • Science–Industry Collaboration
  • Capacity Building
  • Higher Education Transformation

Abstract

AI-InnoScEnCE (AI-Empowered Innovation in Natural Science and Engineering for the Circular Economy) is a multi-institutional European project funded under the EIT Higher Education Initiative (HEI). The project aims to strengthen innovation ecosystems and empower higher education institutions to become central drivers of sustainable, AI-enabled value creation.

Running from 2025 to 2027, the project brings together universities, research centers, and industry partners across Europe to enhance institutional innovation capacity, improve entrepreneurship education, and accelerate the transition toward a circular economy. At the core of AI-InnoScEnCE lies the integration of advanced artificial intelligence methods into innovation processes, matchmaking activities, and collaboration interfaces between academia, industry, and start-ups.

Project Goals

AI-InnoScEnCE addresses four interconnected challenges in the transformation of the European innovation landscape:

  1. Strengthening Innovation Capacity — The project supports higher education institutions in developing robust innovation support structures and cross-institutional cooperation formats. These include new service units, innovation management processes, and digital interfaces for knowledge transfer and co-creation.

  2. Empowering Talent for the Circular Economy — AI-InnoScEnCE designs and delivers training programs for students, researchers, academic staff, and industry professionals. The programs integrate cutting-edge AI tools, promoting skills in data-driven decision-making, sustainable innovation design, and entrepreneurial problem-solving.

  3. Enhancing Science–Enterprise Collaboration — By introducing AI-based methods for opportunity mapping, stakeholder analysis, and collaboration matchmaking, the project improves the efficiency and quality of partnerships between academia and industry.

  4. Supporting Start-ups and SMEs — Through tailored mentoring, training programs, and access to AI-driven analytical tools, the project assists early-stage ventures in identifying circular economy opportunities, developing sustainable business models, and scaling innovation activities.

Broader Impact

AI-InnoScEnCE aims to create long-term, systemic impact by enabling universities to adopt AI-powered innovation practices and by reinforcing their role as catalysts of change in European regions. Through science–industry synergies and a strong focus on circularity, the project contributes directly to the objectives of the European Green Deal and the twin transition toward a digital and sustainable economy.

Further updates and project activities are available at ai-innoscence.eu.

Funding

Supported and co-funded by EIT RawMaterials and the European Union