ECIU, the European Consortium of Innovative Universities, is a network of universities united by several aspects such as:

• their size,
• international openness,
• attention to quality and innovation in teaching,
• strength of research and teaching in the field of ICT and social sciences,
• a commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship.

Founded in 1997, the ECIU network today is an international consortium of research-intensive universities, focused on innovation, creativity and social impact, and promoting the development of a knowledge-based economy.

ECIU presents itself at European level and to other universities and university networks as a consortium capable of contributing and influencing the European agenda on cooperation in higher education and regional research and development.

In Brussels, the ECIU network supports the European Universities initiative and collaborates with European stakeholders, policy makers and opinion leaders to further develop university innovation, participating in funding calls for European programmes for knowledge and research, such as Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe.

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

ECIU University also established the European Strategic Projects Office (SEPO), 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.