Library FAQ
Are there limits on the number of Booster grants per project?
Yes. A maximum of three Booster grants per Pathfinder project (more only exceptionally) and a maximum of one per Transition project (more only exceptionally).
Can personal data be made public from EIC projects?
No. Personal data must not be made public without explicit consent, in line with GDPR.
Can previous grant beneficiaries use Fast Track to request grant-only support?
No. For previous beneficiaries of a grant, the Fast Track scheme cannot be used to request grant-only support.
Can the granting authority object to transfers or exclusive licensing of results?
Yes. For Horizon Europe EIC actions the granting authority may, up to 4 years after the end of the action, object to a transfer of ownership or to the exclusive licensing of results under the conditions set out in Article 40(4) of the Horizon Europe Regulation...
Does the Commission offset EU debts against grant payments?
Yes. Offsetting of EU debts applies (Article 22).
How are interim and final payments handled?
Interim payments follow periodic reports; the final payment is made after the final report, with recovery if needed.
How are national or regional programmes certified for the Plug-in scheme?
Programmes are certified by the Commission based on independent experts’ assessment in collaboration with EIC Plug-in contact points; a list of certified programmes is available on the EIC website and certification may be withdrawn if provisions are not met.
Must EIC projects prepare a data management plan (DMP)?
Yes. All EIC funded projects generating or reusing research data or other outputs must develop and update a data management plan and comply with GDPR and applicable frameworks.
What are Booster grants for EIC Pathfinder and Transition awardees?
Booster grants are fixed amounts not exceeding EUR 50,000 awarded outside calls to EIC Awardees, Technology Transfer Offices, EIC Inventors and other third parties linked to selected Pathfinder or Transition projects to support complementary innovation or port...
What implementation provisions must EIC projects observe?
Key provisions include proper implementation (Article 11), conflict of interest (Article 12), confidentiality and security including EUCI (Article 13, Annex 5), ethics and values (Article 14, Annex 5), data protection (Article 15), and IPR (Article 16, Annex 5...
What is the Fast Track scheme for the EIC Accelerator?
Fast Track provides specific treatment for proposals resulting from existing Horizon Europe or Horizon 2020 projects: a project review by the responsible granting authority assesses suitability for EIC Accelerator support and, if positive, the outcome can be s...
What is the liability regime for recoveries?
Liability for recoveries is individual financial responsibility (Data Sheet point 4.4 and Article 22).
What is the mutual insurance mechanism at pre-financing?
A mutual insurance mechanism retains 5–8% of the maximum grant amount at pre-financing.
What is the normal pre-financing rate for EIC grants?
Pre-financing is normally 160% of the average EU funding per reporting period.
What is the Plug-in scheme for the EIC Accelerator?
The Plug-in scheme is equivalent to Fast Track but applies to proposals resulting from certified national or regional programmes; a certified programme conducts a project review and, if positive, the outcome can be submitted to the EIC Accelerator.
What open science requirements apply to EIC Pathfinder and Transition projects?
They must provide immediate open access to publications, manage data responsibly per FAIR principles, make research data 'as open as possible, as closed as necessary', provide information and access needed to validate conclusions, and in public emergencies ens...
When are certificates on financial statements required?
Certificates may be required according to thresholds set out in Article 24 of the MGA.
Which projects are eligible for Fast Track in 2025?
Eligible in 2025: EIC Pathfinder and EIC Transition projects (including EIC pilot), relevant EIT KIC schemes, Eurostars-2 and Partnership on Innovative SMEs schemes, companies awarded grant-only under H2020/Horizon Europe EIC Accelerator, companies awarded gra...
Are Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) eligible for funding?
Yes. Entities from OCTs are eligible for funding under the same conditions as entities from the Member State to which the OCT is linked.
Do affiliated entities count toward consortium composition requirements?
No. Affiliated entities do not sign the grant agreement and therefore do not count towards minimum eligibility criteria for consortium composition.
How are grant preparation, starting date and funding rates handled?
During grant preparation applicants work with the Agency project officer; the applicable model General MGA is available on the topic page. The project starting date and duration are fixed in the grant agreement (normally after signature; retroactive starts may...
How are proposals scored and what thresholds apply?
Each award criterion is scored out of 5 with an individual threshold of 3. The overall threshold (sum of the three scores) is 10. All scores are weighted equally. Proposals passing both the individual and overall thresholds will be considered for funding withi...
How are Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) addressed?
Where a specific call/topic requires a TRL, the definitions set out in the Glossary of the Work Programme apply, unless otherwise specified in the call.
How must proposals be submitted and what documents are required?
All proposals must be submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal. The application form has Part A (administrative information, summary budget, call-specific questions) and Part B (technical description). Annexes and supporting documents must be...