
01.01.2025 - 31.12.2030
Project
KIC Water
Invitation to tender published ...
On 16 January, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) opened the call for proposals for a new Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) in the fields of water, oceans and maritime economy and ecosystems. Interested parties from the knowledge triangle (education, research and industry) are invited to submit proposals for the creation of the new KIC, which will address the challenges in the areas of water, oceans and marine ecosystems.
The new KIC "EIT Water" will now develop innovative solutions and an integrated approach to the pressing challenges in the water, marine and maritime sectors and the associated ecosystems in order to strengthen the blue economy and increase Europe's competitiveness. The focus will be on issues such as water scarcity, droughts, floods, the degradation of marine and freshwater ecosystems and the circular and sustainable blue economy. The KIC selected at the end is expected to start its activities in 2026 and can expect start-up funding of up to EUR 5 million. Experience shows that further funding will amount to around EUR 20 to 35 million per year in the first few years.
Further information on the competition can be found on the EIT website available.
On the road for Northern Germany and Central Europe as a centre of innovation ...
In 2024, KDM endeavoured to inform all interested stakeholders in Germany about the call for proposals and involve them in the application process. To this end, the association has organised the following workshops to involve the German community and international partners from the Central and Eastern European region since mid-2024:
- Workshop on the establishment of a KIC Co-Location Centre Central and Eastern Europe. Rostock (hybrid), 11 July 2024.
- KIC Infobriefing for the German Community: Current Developments and Opportunities for Northern Germany. Online session, 23 September 2024.
- Brainstorming workshop Offshore Energy Value Chains. Gdansk (hybrid), 4 December 2024.
- Brainstorming workshop in cooperation with Rostock Business (includes desalination and underwater technologies) Hybrid, 7 January 2025.
- Brainstorming Workshop Marine and Water Biological Resources (includes biotechnology, aquaculture, water treatment). Hamburg (hybrid), 15 January 2025.
In 2024, KDM, together with the sponsoring organisation of the Ocean Technology Campus Rostock, decided to give the OneWater-consortium under the leadership of Portugal. KDM continues to advise all players.
Contact person for further information on the activities of KDM: Dr Yekaterina Astafyeva
Opportunities for northern Germany
Participation in a KIC has the potential to significantly strengthen northern Germany as an innovation hub for the knowledge-based maritime industry.
- Proven financial leverage effect with regard to relevant investments. According to an evaluation from November 2024, the existing KICs have an average leverage effect of approx. 4.5, i.e. for every KIC euro, the KICs have been able to raise a further 4.5 euros.
- International visibility of science, innovation and business as an official part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology
- Direct access to a Europe-wide network to promote innovation and the associated goal of expanding an important market for Europe and the world.
- Support for spin-offs, educational programmes, company relocations and other forms of cooperation with industry.
- Access to funding - especially to leverage existing public funds (e.g. for start-up funding) - and help shape EU innovation policy in this area
- Methodological and content-related impetus through close cooperation with international innovation hub
Opportunities for companies
There are various advantages for companies from being integrated into the North German and European water innovation ecosystem, including
- Collaboration in a leading consortium consisting of universities, research institutes and companies.
- Support for the scaling and commercialisation of innovations and the associated market development with the support of the EU.
- Shaping the EU innovation agenda for the tendered areas.
- Working with partners across Europe to tackle key water challenges.
- Realisation of focused innovation projects with simple application, short time frames and competent partners from all over Europe.
- Strengthening northern Germany's technology and innovation leadership in water-related fields.
Background
In 2011, with the support of the northern German states, MPs from various parties and maritime partners, KDM took the initiative to establish a lobbying community with the aim of persuading the EIT to promote a science and innovation community (KIC) for sustainable business in the sea. This resulted in the MarineKIC initiative, with more than 80 supporting organisations from across Europe. This initiative was actively supported by various services of the European Commission as well as by some Members of the European Parliament. After several years of intensive work, in May 2021 the EU decidedthat the EIT should tender the topic "Water, Sea and Maritime" in 2025.
On 16 October 2023, the Ocean Technology Campus Rostock and the German Marine Research Consortium (Konsortium Deutsche Meeresforschung e.V.) hosted a first workshop on setting up a consortium for an application at the Representation of the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to the EU.

in the European Parliament, Brussels, 2012.