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: March 23, 2026

Apply today

Apply now

About the call

The EIT Community New European Bauhaus (NEB) is seeking independent NEB Mentors: experienced professionals who can inspire and guide innovators to turn their ideas into impactful, NEB-aligned solutions. 

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
Call on EU Funding & Tenders Portal (coming soon)

Your role as a mentor

Mentorships are assigned to either 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 – creative, human-centred designers addressing social and environmental impact through design.
  • Business Mentors – strategic, impact-oriented entrepreneurs guiding ventures toward market viability and responsible growth.

All mentors must be fluent in English and legally able to work and invoice within the EU or associated Horizon Europe countries.

Fees

Mentor assignments are contracted and paid by EIT Manufacturing (Contracting Authority).

Indicative remuneration: €1,000 – €1,500 per assignment, depending on scope.

Timeline

Call opens 

24 November 2025

Infosessionn/a

Application deadline 

23 March 2026, 23:59 CET

Evaluations 

On an on-going basis

Start of programmes

Feb – June 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, EIT Food, and EIT Manufacturing. 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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