EUobserver.com

Vienna and Bratislava have launched a cross-border joint bid to be host to the administrative headquarters of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), Europe's planned network of universities modelled on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The Austrian and Slovakian capitals submitted a joint application to the European Union on Tuesday (1 April) along with a letter signed by Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, according to the Wiener Zeitung.

The two countries argue that the EIT headquarters would benefit from an "economic boom zone" between the nearby cities where national boundaries begin to blur, the newspaper reports.

Rather than a single university or institute on one site, the European Commission favoured a pan-European network of universities, research institutes and other organisations made up of two levels: an administrative headquarters and a series of "knowledge and innovation communities" (KICs).

Official applications have also been submitted by Budapest, Wroclaw, the German cities of Aachen, Braunschweig, Karlsruhe and Nuremburg. France has also suggested that it be located near Paris, and is considering launching its own technology institute whether or not it is successful in its aim to be host to the EIT headquarters.

The Austrian chancellor said the joint submission was the two cities' only chance of winning the bid for the EIT.

Mr Fico said that the possiblity of Vienna and Bratislava being home to the centre was "a fantastic opportunity for both countries."

Should the two cities be chosen, two EIT departments would be situated in Vienna's Tech-Gate and another two at locations in Bratislava.

The commission estimates the total cost of establishing the EIT - planned to be completed by 2013 - to be some €2.37 billion. Brussels is to contribute €309 million of that figure, with the rest coming from national grants and industry investments.

The selection of a location for the institute's headquarters is expected to be made by 2009 at the latest, although Vienna and Bratislava are hoping for a decision by mid-2008.

Vienna and Bratislava make joint bid for European tech institute