Replay available and why it matters

The EIC ACCESS+ Info Session number seven, dedicated to healthcare innovators, is now available for replay. The session is aimed at companies that have received EIC support or a Seal of Excellence and that want to buy specialised, sector-focused services listed in the EIC Service Catalogue. ACCESS+ offers co-funding to lower the cost of such services and accelerate commercialisation, but the scheme comes with eligibility rules, deadlines and administrative requirements that applicants must navigate carefully.

What the webinar covered

The one-hour session provided a sector-focused showcase of vetted service providers and explained how EIC-backed healthcare companies can combine EIC ACCESS+ co-funding with services from the EIC Service Catalogue. Presentations and examples covered market access, regulatory strategy, IP protection, clinical development and manufacturing, prototyping and fundraising support. The recording includes short presentations by six providers followed by guidance on how to apply and how to set up one-on-one meetings with providers.

Partners presented in the healthcare showcase

Speakers introduced the services they offer to healthtech companies via the Service Catalogue. Each organisation provides a specific type of support that is commonly needed by deep-tech healthcare innovators.

The session emphasised practical follow ups. Attendees could request one-on-one meetings with providers to scope engagements. That direct matchmaking is useful but does not replace the formal application and eligibility checks required by ACCESS+.

What EIC ACCESS+ funds and the package structure

ACCESS+ provides partial reimbursement for services purchased from the EIC Service Catalogue. The grant reimburses up to 50 percent of eligible service costs, with a maximum grant per beneficiary of EUR 60,000. The scheme is organised around four broad packages which applicants can mix and match up to the overall ceiling.

A few practical details to note. The grant reimburses eligible costs excluding VAT. The supported services must come from a provider listed in the EIC Service Catalogue. The service delivery period cannot exceed six months for most packages. The research package is the exception and can run for up to one year. All services funded under this call must be completed by 30 June 2026.

Eligibility, restrictions and key rules

The open call is not open to all startups. Applicants must be EIC Awardees from the EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition or EIC Accelerator schemes or holders of the Seal of Excellence under Horizon Europe. Spin-offs from EIC projects may be eligible provided they supply legal documentation and a written declaration from the project coordinator establishing the link. The applying legal entity must be established in an EU Member State or an Associated Country.

Application process and selection mechanics

Applicants must select a provider from the EIC Service Catalogue and submit an application through the EIC ACCESS+ Community Hub. The system assigns an electronic time stamp to each submission. Applications are evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis after eligibility checks. A selection committee reviews cohorts of applications every one to two weeks depending on the published guidance and workload.

Deadlines and timing constraints you must plan for

The open call window is continuous but closes on 31 May 2026 unless extended by an official communication. All selected services must be completed by 30 June 2026. Those timing constraints mean applicants should scope short delivery windows or select providers able to meet tight schedules. Because grants are first-come, first-served and the total funding is limited, early submission is important.

Practical checklist for applicants

1. Confirm eligibility as an EIC Awardee or Seal of Excellence holder and that your legal entity is registered in an EU or Associated Country. 2. Identify an appropriate EIC Service Catalogue provider and prepare a clear service description outlining expected results and impact. 3. Verify that the portion of costs you request from ACCESS+ is not already financed by other EU or national initiatives. 4. Join the EIC ACCESS+ Community Hub and submit your application to get an electronic time stamp. 5. Prepare to sign an FSTP agreement and to provide invoices and a short results report to obtain payments. 6. Plan service delivery to meet the 30 June 2026 completion deadline and check whether your chosen package permits delivery beyond six months if required.

Definitions and quick reference

Context and critical considerations

EIC ACCESS+ sits within a broader EIC effort to couple financial instruments with services that improve the odds of commercial success for deep-tech ventures. The co-funding approach addresses a common barrier where promising companies can identify the right services but lack the budget to buy them. That said, the reality is nuanced. The limited budget and first-come, first-served allocation introduce timing risk. Administrative steps such as eligibility verification, contracting and invoicing will add lead time. Applicants should therefore evaluate whether the effort to apply and the reporting obligations are justified by the services they intend to procure and the expected impact on fundraising, regulatory progression or market entry.

Buyers should also remember that ACCESS+ reimburses only part of costs. Service providers often expect the client to cover the remaining share promptly. For companies with very constrained cash flow, the need to co-finance up front may be a limiting factor even when the overall grant is attractive.

How to apply and where to get help

Applications must be submitted through the EIC ACCESS+ Community Hub. Relevant documents such as the Open Call Description, Application Form, FSTP Agreement, Declaration of Honour and detailed eligibility criteria are available from the ACCESS+ website and the Community Hub. Applicants can request help from the ACCESS+ helpdesk by email and can use the EIC Community contact page for questions related to the Ecosystem Partnership Programme.

Other info sessions and materials to watch

The webinar forms part of a series. Previous sessions include: Info Session #1 covering the ACCESS+ funding scheme overview; Info Session #2 on choosing service providers from the Service Catalogue; Info Session #4 on how to become an EIC Service Provider; Info Session #5 on financing the remaining 50 percent of service costs; and Info Session #6 focusing on the French innovation ecosystem. These recordings and a short how-to video on the application process are available on the EIC Community YouTube channel and the ACCESS+ website.

Final practical reminder

ACCESS+ can be valuable for EIC-backed healthcare innovators seeking specialised external expertise at reduced net cost. The programme is not open ended. Funds are limited. Applicants should verify eligibility early, choose providers listed in the Service Catalogue, and factor in the contractual, reporting and cash flow implications before applying. Early preparation and realistic timelines will increase the chance of securing co-funding and of executing the purchased services successfully.