EIC ACCESS+ Info Session #2: How to choose the right EIC Service Catalogue provider

Brussels, January 13th 2025

Summary

›An EIC ACCESS+ info webinar on 21 January 2025 explains how to pick a provider from the EIC Service Catalogue to access co-funded services.
›EIC ACCESS+ offers grants that cover up to 50 percent of service costs with a maximum payout of EUR 60,000 per beneficiary.
›The open call runs from 1 November 2024 to 31 May 2026 with total funding of EUR 3.45 million and first-come-first-served allocation.
›Eligible applicants are EIC Awardees from Pathfinder, Transition and Accelerator and Seal of Excellence holders based in EU or Associated Countries.
›Practical selection guidance and a live Q&A will be part of the session, but applicants should note limits, timing constraints and co-funding obligations.

EIC ACCESS+ Info Session #2: Choosing the right EIC Service Catalogue provider

The European Innovation Council Business Acceleration Services is running an information webinar on 21 January 2025 at 16:00 CET focused on one practical task that matters for applicants to the EIC ACCESS+ open call. The session is built around how to select an appropriate service provider listed in the EIC Service Catalogue and how that selection fits into the ACCESS+ co-funding application process. The webinar promises practical tips, case studies and a live Q&A.

Why this session matters

EIC ACCESS+ is a co-funding initiative that reimburses part of the costs for services supplied by vetted partners in the EIC Service Catalogue. Picking the wrong service provider or a poorly scoped service can waste both time and limited co-funding. The webinar is intended for deep-tech startups and SMEs that already hold EIC Awards or the Seal of Excellence and are considering applying for ACCESS+ support.

Webinar logistics and agenda

Date and time. 21 January 2025 at 16:00 CET. Duration. One hour. The organisers emphasise a compact format with short presentations followed by a live question and answer slot.

Time (CET)	Item	Notes
16:00 - 16:05	Welcome and overview of EIC Business Acceleration Services	Short framing remarks
16:05 - 16:15	EIC Ecosystem Partnership Programme and EIC Service Catalogue	What the catalogue is and how partners are vetted
16:15 - 16:25	EIC ACCESS+ and the roll out of the co-financing scheme	Key programme mechanics and timelines
16:25 - 16:30	How to apply via the EIC ACCESS+ Community Hub	Practical steps to submit
16:30 - 16:45	Advice on how to select the right service provider	Operational tips and selection criteria
16:45 - 16:55	Success cases	Short case studies of prior cooperation
16:55 - 17:10	Q&A	Live answers to attendee questions
17:10 - 17:15	Closing	Final remarks and next steps

Speakers and hosts

The session lists multiple presenters from the ecosystem including representatives such as Valentina Anrò, Life Science Innovation Manager at Bioindustry Park, and other EIC BAS contributors. The format pairs short talks with a moderated Q&A.

What EIC ACCESS+ offers and how it fits into the EIC ecosystem

Purpose of EIC ACCESS+:EIC ACCESS+ aims to help EIC Awardees and Seal of Excellence holders access specialised, sector-focused services by partially funding the costs of those services. The scheme is routed through the EIC Service Catalogue which lists offers from partner accelerators, incubators, research organisations and other providers.

Scale of support and limits:Grants cover up to 50 percent of eligible service costs and the maximum cumulative grant per beneficiary is EUR 60,000. The open call runs from 1 November 2024 until 31 May 2026. Total budget allocated to this ACCESS+ call is €3.45 million.

Package	Maximum grant per beneficiary	Typical eligible services	Key constraint
Research	Up to EUR 60,000	Access to infrastructure, R&D support, prototyping and proof of concept	Can consume the full EUR 60,000 ceiling
Skills improvement	Up to EUR 10,000	Coaching, mentoring, HR and talent support	Smaller cap for targeted development
Business acceleration	Up to EUR 30,000	Acceleration programmes, incubators, business planning, matchmaking and internationalisation	Mid-range cap for go-to-market activities
Access to funds	Up to EUR 30,000	IP and legal support, due diligence, fundraising support	Focused on investment readiness and IP protection

A practical note on arithmetic. The total pot of €3.45 million and the EUR 60,000 cap per beneficiary do not translate into 57 full-size awards based on the cap. EIC project materials say they expect to select some 180 companies under the continuous call. That implies many beneficiaries will receive smaller sums than the ceiling. Applicants should therefore plan realistic budgets and expect that the programme is designed to distribute funds across a wider set of needs.

Eligibility and who should apply

Eligible beneficiaries:EIC Awardees from the EIC Pathfinder, Transition and Accelerator programmes and Seal of Excellence holders under Horizon Europe. Legal entities must be based in EU Member States or Associated Countries. Spin-offs of EIC Awardees may be eligible if they can provide proof of link to the awarded project.

What the scheme expects from applicants:Applicants must select a service provider listed in the EIC Service Catalogue, join the EIC ACCESS+ Community Hub and submit the online application form. Applications are time stamped and processed on a first-come-first-served basis after an eligibility check.

Application process and administrative steps

Key documents include the Open Call Description, Application Form, Financial Support to Third Parties Agreement, Declaration of Honour and the Eligibility Criteria document. After submission, applications are grouped into weekly cohorts and evaluated within seven days from the last application date in the cohort. Selected beneficiaries sign an FSTP Agreement and disbursements may follow in one or two instalments depending on the selected service package.

Timing constraints and completion date:Services procured using ACCESS+ co-funding must be completed by 30 June 2026. That deadline creates a practical scheduling constraint. For complex R&D or prototyping work applicants should ensure the provider can deliver within the time window.

How to choose the right EIC Service Catalogue provider

The webinar promises advice on selecting providers. The following points summarise practical due diligence items applicants should consider before contracting services and submitting for co-funding.

Match stage to service:Ensure the provider has experience with companies at your technology readiness level. A research infrastructure that excels at early prototyping is not always the best partner for go-to-market strategy work.

Check track record and references:Ask for evidence of past outcomes such as fundraising success, licensing deals, pilot contracts and follow-on commercial activity. Vetted partners in the catalogue may vary in maturity and reliability.

Clarify deliverables, milestones and reporting:Make deliverables specific, measurable and time bound. This helps during the ACCESS+ eligibility checks and in meeting the ACCESS+ completion deadline.

Assess IP and contractual terms:Understand ownership of deliverables, background IP, and any licensing terms. Co-funded projects that create IP need robust agreements to prevent disputes later.

Budget realism and VAT:ACCESS+ co-funding is calculated on eligible costs excluding VAT in many calls. Confirm whether VAT is eligible in your case and budget for the 50 percent co-financing requirement.

Risks, caveats and practical considerations

The EIC ACCESS+ call offers tangible support to reduce common barriers for deep-tech firms. At the same time applicants should be aware of operational limitations and the broader context.

First-come-first-served allocation:A time-stamped, first-come-first-served model expedites decisions but can privilege established applicants who are well prepared and plugged into the community hub. Smaller organisations or those with longer procurement lead times may be disadvantaged.

Co-funding and cash flow:ACCESS+ reimburses a share of costs rather than paying the full invoice in most cases. Startups must therefore have liquidity to pay providers upfront or negotiate staged payments with suppliers.

Administrative burden and evidence requirements:Grants administered under EU programmes typically require documentation, reporting and audits. Factor administrative time and potential legal review into your project plan.

Service completion deadline:The 30 June 2026 completion deadline for services is non negotiable for this call. Complex R&D projects risk being unable to complete deliverables within that window.

Practical checklist before applying

1. Confirm your eligibility as an EIC Awardee or Seal of Excellence holder and that your legal seat is in an EU or Associated Country. 2. Identify one or more providers in the EIC Service Catalogue and obtain written offers or scopes of work with timelines. 3. Check that the provider can deliver before 30 June 2026 and accept the co-funding terms. 4. Budget for the portion not covered by ACCESS+ and for any VAT that may not be eligible. 5. Register on the EIC ACCESS+ Community Hub and be ready to submit the application the moment you have the required documentation.

Contacts, where to register and further resources

Registration and community hub:Register for Info Session #2 and join the EIC ACCESS+ Community Hub to access the ACCESS+ application form and materials. The community hub is the central place for submitting the form once you are accepted as a member.

Helpdesk and technical support:For programme questions contact eicpartnerships-helpdesk@eic-bas.eu. For application technical support contact applications@eicaccessplus.eu. The EIC Community contact page can also be used for inquiries regarding the EIC Ecosystem Partnership Programme.

Key documents to download before applying:Open Call Description, Application Form, FSTP Agreement, Declaration of Honour, and Open Call Eligibility Criteria. These are available on the EIC ACCESS+ website and the EIC Community platform.

Bottom line

EIC ACCESS+ provides a useful mechanism for EIC Awardees and Seal of Excellence holders to access specialised services they might otherwise struggle to afford. The 21 January info session is a practical opportunity to learn how to pick providers and to ask detailed questions. Applicants should however run a tight procurement style due diligence, account for co-funding and administrative effort, and plan timelines carefully given the programme limits and the 30 June 2026 completion deadline.