Library FAQ
What must applicants do for the ethics self-assessment?
Applicants must complete the Ethics issues table and Self-Assessment. Projects involving ethics issues will undergo ethics screening/assessment and may be subject to requirements, checks, reviews and audits.
What Open Science and data management rules apply to EIC Pathfinder and Transition projects?
They must provide immediate open access to scientific publications, manage research data in line with FAIR principles and produce/update a data management plan, provide access to outputs needed to validate publications, and in public emergencies provide immedi...
What requirements apply to AI-based systems in proposals?
AI-based systems must be developed safely, securely and responsibly, identify and prevent risks, comply with the AI Act, be technically and socially robust, reliable and explainable where they have significant impacts; proposals must describe how they uphold h...
What rules apply to handling EU-classified information in projects?
EU-classified information must be marked according to security instructions; generation or access to certain classification levels may only occur on premises with facility security clearance (FSC); handling may be restricted to secured areas and to individuals...
When must projects use Copernicus and Galileo/EGNOS?
Projects involving earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data, services or technologies must make use of at least Copernicus and Galileo/EGNOS data, services and technologies.
Which activities are ineligible for EIC funding?
Projects must focus on civil applications and must not aim at human cloning for reproductive purposes; intend to modify the genetic heritage of humans in a heritable way; create human embryos solely for research or stem cell procurement; or lead to the destruc...
Which organisations must have a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) to be eligible?
Each legal entity that is a public body, a research organisation or a higher education establishment must have a GEP meeting minimum requirements; a self-declaration is requested at proposal stage and the GEP is confirmed before grant signature.
Will EIC fund projects that contradict the Green Deal?
In general no; EIC funding will not be awarded to projects contravening Green Deal objectives. Limited exceptions may exist for activities aimed at reducing GHG emissions from certain fossil fuel-based energy sources under the Complementary Climate Delegated A...
Can a beneficiary refuse requests for detailed data based on confidential preliminary findings?
Yes. A beneficiary may refuse disclosure or access to underlying detailed data based on legitimate interests such as commercial exploitation, data protection, confidentiality, trade secrets, Union competitive interests, security rules or intellectual property...
Can ad hoc grants fund research or activities already foreseen in the original project?
No. These ad hoc grants do not fund research or activities that were already foreseen in the original project.
Can national or regional funding bodies choose not to implement the Plug-in scheme?
Yes. They may decide not to implement the scheme or to introduce it at a later stage, but coordination among funding bodies at national level is required to avoid application duplication.
Can the EIC Programme Manager request preliminary findings and how will such information be treated?
Yes. At any time the EIC Programme Manager may request beneficiaries to make preliminary findings available through the EIC Market Place. If not already public or protected, that information will be earmarked as "confidential" and disseminated only to specifie...
How can EIC grant holders apply for an ad hoc grant and how are applications assessed?
Grant holders can apply after discussion with an EIC Programme Manager or following a project review. Applications are assessed in line with Article 26.1(2) of the Horizon Europe Regulation, using criteria on Excellence, Impact and Quality and efficiency of im...
How many ad hoc grants can be awarded per project?
A maximum of three ad hoc grants can be awarded per EIC Pathfinder project (more only in exceptional, duly justified cases). A maximum of one ad hoc grant can be awarded per EIC Transition project.
To whom may confidential information be disclosed within a recipient organisation?
With the owner’s prior authorisation, it may be disclosed to employees and subcontractors established in a Member State or Associated Country who need access for the permitted purpose and who are bound by written agreements or professional obligations to prote...
Under what circumstances can the Commission withdraw a programme’s certification?
The Commission may withdraw certification if false information was used to obtain it or if the project review did not comply with the provisions set out in the EIC Work Programme.
What is the funding rate for ad hoc grants?
The funding rate for these Coordination and Support Action grants is 100% of the eligible costs.
What is the maximum amount for an ad hoc grant and are they subject to a call?
Ad hoc grants have fixed amounts of up to EUR 50,000 and are not subject to any call.
What may ad hoc grants fund for EIC Pathfinder grant holders?
They may fund complementary activities to explore potential pathways to commercialisation, such as defining a commercialisation process, market and competitiveness analysis, technology assessment, verification of innovation potential, consolidation of IP right...
What may ad hoc grants fund for portfolio activities?
They may fund portfolio activities such as defining common objectives, building synergies, engaging strategic partners, (co)-organising events, maximising data sharing, and raising visibility of the portfolio and the EIC.
What non-disclosure obligations apply to recipients of confidential EIC information?
Recipients must keep information strictly confidential, not disclose it without the owner's prior written consent, protect it with the same degree of care as their own similar confidential information, act in good faith, and use it only to assess opportunities...
When will Plug-in applications be accepted?
Plug-in applications will be accepted starting from the first EIC Accelerator cut-off in 2022 at the earliest.
When will the Commission services be notified about changes to regional or national programme criteria or evaluation?
They will be notified if any future changes may impact the assessment and certification of those programmes.
Where will information on how the Plug-in scheme is implemented be published?
The EIC website will provide information about how the Plug-in scheme will be implemented by the relevant funding/managing bodies.