Head of EU Public Funding – R&D and Innovation

Manager of EU Public Funding – R&D and Innovation:

• Part-time, unpaid during the early phase
• Hybrid work model (remote and/or on-site in Milan, Doha – Qatar, or Boston)
• Travel and meeting expenses will be reimbursed upon approval
• An NDA must be signed

This position may evolve into a full-time Director of Public Funding & Partnerships role based on performance and funding success.

About Institute Itech:

Institute Itech is an early-stage multinational company committed to building a new model of society grounded in education , advanced technology , and social development .

We are launching several innovation projects, including:

• Memoria™ – AI-powered MedTech platform for cognitive health and neuro-assistive support
• Oxyleaf™ – Synthetic plant systems for urban energy and environmental regeneration
• Terra™ – Underground sensor networks for environmental and agricultural data infrastructure
• Whiteboard™ – Digital-native smart desks and education tools for adaptive learning
• Polaris™ by IFE – AI platform for economic, geopolitical, and statistical intelligence

The company is legally incorporated (USA, Italy) and we are now building a strategic leadership team to secure major funding and scale operations.

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced European Public Funding Lead to strategically identify, apply for, and secure public R&D investments at EU, national, and regional levels.

The selected candidate will lead all activities related to grant writing, project structuring, and funding acquisition for Institute Itech’s innovation portfolio.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor and analyse EU funding opportunities (Horizon Europe, LIFE, Innovation Fund, Erasmus+, CEF, etc.)
• Lead the preparation and submission of grant proposals for R&D and innovation projects
• Coordinate multi-partner applications with research institutions, municipalities, and industrial partners
• Develop and manage budgets, business plans, and financial projections for funding applications
• Write technical and strategic documentation for funding bodies and evaluation committees
• Manage relationships with EU agencies, national contact points, and consortium partners
• Ensure compliance with funding guidelines, deadlines, and reporting obligations
• Support the COO and leadership team in funding strategy and partnership development

Requirements:

• Minimum 5+ years of experience in EU public funding and grant management
• Proven track record of successful grant applications for R&D and innovation
• Strong understanding of Horizon Europe, LIFE, and other EU programmes
• Excellent skills in budget design, business plan drafting, and economic reporting
• Ability to manage complex timelines, multi-partner communications, and high-stakes submissions
• Exceptional written and spoken communication skills in English (Italian is a strong plus)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Background in technology, sustainability, or research administration
• Network of institutional contacts in EU funding environments
• Experience in financial management and funding audits
• Previous work with startups, research centres, or innovation ecosystems

Benefits Provided:

• Reimbursement of travel and mobility expenses for project-related meetings
• Access to collaboration tools, official email, and funding intelligence platforms
• Strategic role in securing the financial foundation of Institute Itech’s projects
• Potential to evolve into a Director-level role with full-time contract and equity options

How to Apply:

Please send:

• Your CV
• A short letter (max 1 page), in English or Italian, describing:
• Your track record in securing EU or public funds
• Your approach to developing competitive funding proposals
• How you would structure Institute Itech’s funding strategy in the next 12 months

E-mail:

Subject: WE2025 Job - (Job Name) LinkedIn Application - (Name Surname)

Time Commitment:

This is a non-paid position during the startup phase , with a minimum commitment of 4–6 hours per week .

We are looking for a results-oriented professional with deep knowledge of public funding , a strategic mindset , and the ability to turn opportunities into secured capital .