NEB Mentors - Open Call 2026

Are you a design or business strategy expert that wants to support NEB impact through mentorship?

Then the NEB Mentors Open Call 2026 is right for you!

Call closing:  May 11, 2026, 17:00 CET

Apply today

Apply now

About the call

The EIT Community New European Bauhaus (NEB) is seeking independent external experts to join its 2026–2028 pool of NEB Mentors. Selected experts will support EIT Community NEB programmes and beneficiaries through mentoring and, where relevant, evaluation activities.

Mentors will support participants across the Grow NEB, Catalyse NEB, and Enhance NEB programmes to integrate the NEB values of sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion into their projects – from community-driven pilots to market-ready start-ups.

The content of this page is provided for information purposes only and may be subject to modification at any point during the open call. 

Resources

Use our factsheet with key info on the call and the EIT Community ecosystem for easy reference.

Download call manual
Supplier setup form

Your role as a mentor

Mentorship assignments may take place within one of the following programs:

  • Catalyse NEB – refining value proposition, go-to-market strategy, and investor pitch of startups addressing societal challenges;
  • Grow NEB – prototyping, validating and testing early-stage social impact solutions with end-users;
  • Enhance NEB – scaling up of citizen engagement initiatives (inter)nationally.

NEB Mentors are expected to carry out a variety of tasks, including:

  • Help mentees clarify their Individual Development Plan
  • Facilitate 1-on-1 sessions
  • Participate in (de)briefing meetings and mentorship evaluations

Who can apply?

  • Professionals, entrepreneurs and investors with 10+ years of experience and expertise in at least one of the New European Bauhaus challenge areas:

    • Reconnecting with nature
    • Regaining a sense of belonging
    • Prioritising the people and places that need it most
    • Fostering long-term, circular thinking
  • We welcome two complementary profiles: Design Mentors, Business Mentors

  • Fluent in English and legally able to work and invoice in the EU or Horizon Europe associated countries.

  • Available to support at least one mentee per year in selected programmes (Catalyse NEB, Enhance NEB, and/or Grow NEB)

  • Willing to sign the Climate KIC One‑Off Supply of Services Agreement, including EUR 1,250 + VAT per completed mentorship assignment (maximum 3 assignments per year)

  • Able to submit a fully completed application, including all required documents, in English by May 11th, 2026, at 17:00 PM CET.

Fees

Mentor assignments are contracted and paid by Climate-KIC (Contracting Authority).

Indicative remuneration: €1,250 per assignment.

Timeline

Call opens 

23 February 2026

Info-sessionn/a

Application deadline 

11 May 2026, 17.00 CET

Evaluation period

March-May 2026

Final selection

25 May 2026

About the EIT Community NEB

The EIT Community New European Bauhaus (NEB) is a joint initiative by several Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT): EIT Urban Mobility, Climate-KIC, and EIT Food. Together, we combine the power of innovation, education, and entrepreneurship to bring the New European Bauhaus values to life through citizen-centred projects across Europe.

Our shared mission: to make the green transition tangible, inclusive, and beautiful. Through various programmes, we help innovators transform ideas into tested solutions and viable start-ups that shape more sustainable, inclusive, and high-quality living environments.

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