EIT Milestones

2009

• 03.02.09: The KIC selection criteria are announced.
• 16.02.09: The EIT seminar on "Shaping the Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) – Sustainable Energy" takes place in Vienna.
• 23.01.09: The EIT's first thematic seminar "Shaping the Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) – Future Information and Communication Society" is held in Budapest.

2008

• 02.12.08: Lauch of the selection procedure for the EIT Director. 
• 24.11.08:   The EIT launches discussions on the shape of KICs during its first    seminar held in Bratislava.
• 17.10.08: The Governing Board elects the four members of the Executive Committee
• 15.09.08: The EIT marks the launch of its activities in Budapest with the first meeting of its recently appointed Governing Board, and unanimously elects Dr. Martin Schuurmans as its Chairman. [press release]
• 30.07.08: The EIT's first Governing Board is officially appointed following a selection process which began in February 2008. The 18-strong Board provides a collective balance of expertise and experience from the worlds of higher education, research, business and innovation in Europe.
• 18.06.08: EU Member States decide unanimously that the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) will have its headquarters in Budapest.
• 18.02.08: The European Parliament's Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Committee officially approves the Council's common position on the draft EIT Regulation. [Press release] 
• 21.01.08: A common position on a draft Regulation for the establishment of a European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is adopted in the Council of Ministers. [Press release]

2007

• 23.11.07: Following the European Parliament's Resolution (adopted in September 2007), the Council of Ministers finally reaches an agreement on the establishment of the “European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).” The same day, Council and Parliament also reach an agreement on the EIT's financing: the EIT should be set up by Community legislation with a budget of 309 million Euros for the 2008-2013 period. [Press release]
• 09.07.07: The Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Committee of the European Parliament adopts its final report on the EIT by a large majority.
• 25.06.2007: After six months of intense discussion, a general approach for the EIT is reached in the Competitiveness Council [Press release].
• The "co-decision" negotiation process then got underway between the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament during the Finish Presidency (end of 2006) and continued under the German and Portuguese presidencies (throughout 2007).

2006

• 18.10.06: The Commission adopts a proposal for a 'Regulation on the establishment of the EIT' accompanied by an impact assessment report. The proposal is presented the following day at the informal Lahti Summit on innovation where Heads of State and Government politically endorse the initiative. [Press release]
• 15/16.06.06: At the European Council meeting, the Heads of State and Government invite the Commission to prepare a formal proposal for the establishment of the EIT, following consultations with the European Research Council (ERC), Member States and stakeholders.
• 08.06.06: The Commission issues a second Communication on the EIT, which draws extensively on the outcomes of a second phase of consultations with European stakeholders and Member States. The second Communication sheds light on a number of specific issues related to the proposed structure and operations of the EIT. [Press release]
• 23/24.03.06: The European Council recognises that "a European Institute of Technology will be an important step in filling the existing gaps between higher education, research and innovation" and invited the Commission to submit a proposal on further steps.
• 22.02.06: On the basis of the previous consultation, the Commission put forward its first Communication on the EIT: "Establishing the renewed partnership for growth and jobs – Developing a knowledge flagship: the European Institute of Technology." [Press release]

2005

• 15.09.05 – 15.11.05: Following a period of reflection, the Commission carries out an extensive public consultation with European stakeholders, Member States and the general public on what the mission, added value, structure and priorities of the EIT should be.
• 05.02.05: President Barroso puts forward the idea of establishing a European Institute of Technology (EIT) as a contribution to the mid-term review of the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs.

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