EIC Board warns on consultancy use for EIC applications while underscoring free support options
- ›The EIC Board published observations on the use of consultants by applicants to EIC calls and stressed that external consultants are not necessary for success.
- ›A voluntary Code of Conduct for consultancies was published in November 2023 and applicants are encouraged to verify adherence before hiring.
- ›The Board highlights free public support options including National Contact Points, university technology transfer offices, Enterprise Europe Network and EIC business coaching after Step 1.
- ›Applicants must remain engaged and responsible for their applications since EIC Accelerator candidates are required to present and defend proposals in front of a jury.
- ›The Board flags contractual risks with consultants such as exclusivity clauses, unclear IP terms and problematic success fee arrangements.
EIC Board observations on the use of consultants for EIC applications
On 28 February 2025 the European Innovation Council Board published a set of observations addressing how applicants use private consultants when preparing submissions to EIC calls. The guidance reiterates that using a paid consultant is optional and that success in EIC instruments is attainable without external advice. It aims to help applicants make informed choices about when and how to engage third parties and to point to public, low or no cost alternatives within the EU innovation ecosystem.
Why the EIC addressed consultancy use
The European consultancy market that has grown around EIC calls creates both opportunities and risks. Professional advisers can add value where applicants lack experience in grant-writing, investor-grade pitch design or administrative processes. At the same time the Board flagged a need for transparency and professionalism to avoid exploitative practices and to protect fairness in evaluation. The guidance is part of a longer effort to ensure applicants understand their responsibilities and to promote ethical standards among service providers.
Core recommendations to applicants
The Board frames its observations as practical steps applicants should take before engaging external consultants. These are intended both to protect applicants and to preserve the integrity of the application process.
Contractual and commercial risks to watch
The Board emphasises that contracting a consultant can introduce legal and commercial risks. It singled out several clauses and fee models that applicants should scrutinise carefully and, where needed, discuss with legal counsel or trusted public advisers.
Public and low cost alternatives the Board highlights
To reduce dependence on paid consultants the EIC Board underlined a range of publicly available supports across the EU innovation ecosystem. These services are often free or subsidised and provide practical, domain-specific and procedural help.
| Support source | Typical cost | Scope of assistance | Advantages | Potential limitations |
| National Contact Points (NCPs) | Free | Guidance on Horizon rules, national funding links and application process | Local knowledge, bridge to national programmes | Varies by country in capacity and responsiveness |
| Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) | Free or low cost | Internationalisation advice, partner search, business support | Wide network across EU, practical business services | Not tailored to detailed EIC technical evaluation |
| University Technology Transfer Offices | Often free for spinouts or researchers | IP guidance, commercialisation strategy, early business support | Technical and IP expertise, links to academic resources | May lack investor or grant-writing experience for scaleup-stage companies |
| EIC Business Acceleration Services coaching | Free after Step 1 | Tailored coaching to prepare full EIC proposals, investor readiness | Designed for EIC applicants, experienced coaches | Only available to applicants that pass Step 1 short proposal |
| Paid private consultants | Market rates apply | End-to-end application writing, pitch design, grant administration | Can fill capacity gaps rapidly and provide polished deliverables | Costs, variable quality, contractual pitfalls and potential conflicts of interest |
Practical checklist for applicants considering a consultant
Below is a condensed checklist applicants should use when evaluating a consultancy. The Board expects applicants to remain the accountable party for their proposals and to exercise due diligence when contracting third parties.
| Question | Why it matters | What to ask or request |
| Does the consultant adhere to the EIC Code of Conduct? | Signals commitment to ethical practices | Ask for written confirmation and examples of past compliance |
| What are the deliverables and timelines? | Avoid vague scope that leads to hidden costs | Get a detailed statement of work and milestones |
| How are fees structured? | Fee model affects incentives and total cost | Clarify fixed fees, hourly rates, and precise definition of success fees |
| Who owns IP and data produced during engagement? | Protect core technology and confidential information | Insist on narrow licences to the extent necessary for the service |
| Are there exclusivity or non compete clauses? | May limit future funding or collaborations | Avoid broad exclusivity or limit it to a short, well-defined period |
| Can you produce references and examples? | Past performance is a strong indicator of quality | Request referees and anonymised samples of prior EIC-related work |
| Will the consultant support oral defence preparation? | Applicants must present and defend in person | Confirm coach will prepare the actual project team for jury interviews |
Wider context and implications
The EIC Board observations come amid an expanded EU effort to professionalise innovation support while protecting applicants and public funds. EISMEA, which administers the EIC, manages an ecosystem of supports including the EIC Fund, National Contact Points and networks such as the Enterprise Europe Network. The Code of Conduct is voluntary but the Board expects it to raise market standards and to give applicants a practical lever to demand better conduct from advisers.
From a policy perspective this guidance balances two goals. The first is to ensure applicants can access expertise that raises the quality of proposals and of funded projects. The second is to limit market distortions where paid intermediaries capture an outsized share of value or create perverse incentives. The Board’s clear insistence that applicants must remain responsible for their applications is a reminder that consultancy is an input and not a substitute for an applicant’s own technical and strategic ownership.
A realistic conclusion for applicants
The EIC Board does not ban consultants nor does it claim they are always unnecessary. It aims to level the playing field by providing a set of observations and pointing to public alternatives. For prospective applicants the practical takeaway is to prioritise internal ownership of the application, to exhaust free or low cost supports available in the EU innovation system, and to contract external help only after careful vetting using the checks above.
Where to find the documents and next steps
The Board’s observations were published by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency on 28 February 2025. Applicants should read the EIC Code of Conduct published in November 2023, consult National Contact Points, check the EIC Business Acceleration Services for coaching after Step 1, and use the Funding and Tenders Portal for official submission procedures. When in doubt, seek free local supports before signing substantial contracts with private consultancies.