Challenging conventional thinking

The European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU) is a network of young universities focusing on entrepreneurship, innovation and making a real impact on social development.

Established in 1997, now ECIU presents itself as a leading international consortium of research-intensive universities, with collective emphasis on innovation, creativity and societal impact, driving the development of a knowledge-based economy.

ECIU can present itself to European instances and other universities and university networks as an entity capable of accompanying and influencing the European agenda in higher education cooperation policy and regional research and development.

ECIU is a strong advocate in Brussels for innovative universities, it works together with European stakeholders, policy makers, politicians and opinion leaders to further develop innovative universities. e.g. in European knowledge and research programmes, such as Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe.     

The activities in Brussels are coordinated by the ECIU Brussels’ Office and the Steering Committee EU Policy and Research.

ECIU has also established SEPO Strategic European Projects Office, to pool expertise for all external grants and funding opportunities relating to ECIU University priorities and needs according to the Vision 2030.

The University of Trento joined ECIU on 11 April 2019.