Library FAQ
Can projects involving TRES SECRET UE / EU TOP SECRET information be funded?
No. Projects involving information classified TRES SECRET UE/EU TOP SECRET (or equivalent) cannot be funded.
Can tasks involving EU-classified information be subcontracted?
Only with prior written approval by the European Commission, and then only to entities established in a Member State or in a non-EU country with a security of information agreement with the EU (or an administrative arrangement with the Commission).
Can the EIC object to transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of results?
Yes. Unless otherwise provided in specific call conditions, the EIC and SME Executive Agency may, up to four years after the end of the action, object to a transfer of ownership or the exclusive licensing of results if the results could reasonably be expected...
How is financial capacity assessed for EIC Pathfinder and Transition applicants?
A financial capacity check is done based on documents uploaded in the Participant Register (e.g. profit and loss account, balance sheet, business plan, audit report). The check is normally done for the coordinator and if the requested grant amount is more than...
How is operational capacity assessed for applicants?
For EIC Pathfinder and Transition, operational capacity is assessed during evaluation of the award criterion ‘quality and efficiency of the implementation’ based on competence, experience and operational resources; public bodies, Member State organisations and...
How must RESTREINT UE / EU RESTRICTED information be handled?
Information classified RESTREINT UE/EU RESTRICTED may be accessed and handled only by persons who have a need-to-know and have been briefed on the applicable security rules.
What anti-money laundering and tax-related rules does the EIC Fund follow?
The EIC Fund applies EU rules, policies and procedures addressing money laundering, terrorism financing, tax avoidance, tax fraud and tax evasion as contained in Article 155(2)(a) of the Financial Regulation, including prohibitions on entering into operations...
What are the expectations for AI-based systems regarding safety and explainability?
AI-based systems must be reliable, minimise unintentional and unexpected harm, prevent unacceptable harm and safeguard physical and mental integrity of humans; they must also provide a suitable explanation of their decision-making whenever the system can have...
What are the handling requirements for information classified CONFIDENTIEL UE / EU CONFIDENTIAL or above?
This information may be created or accessed only on premises of entities with facility security clearing from the competent National Security Authority, handled only in a secured area accredited by that authority, and accessed and handled only by persons with...
What elements must a Gender Equality Plan include?
A GEP must be a formal document published on the institution’s website and signed by top management; commit dedicated resources and gender expertise; collect sex/gender disaggregated data and report annually; provide awareness-raising/training on gender equali...
What IP retention is required for compliance with open science requirements?
EIC-funded projects (or authors) must retain sufficient intellectual property rights to comply with all open science requirements, including specific licensing requirements.
What Open Science requirements apply to EIC Pathfinder projects?
EIC Pathfinder projects must provide immediate open access to peer-reviewed publications via a trusted repository, develop and update a data management plan, and manage digital research data in line with the FAIR principles. Data are open in principle but exce...
What process applies to projects involving classified or security-sensitive information?
Such projects must go through a Security Appraisal to authorise funding and may be subject to specific security rules detailed in a Security Section annexed to the grant agreement.
What provisions apply to research outputs in a public emergency?
If requested by the EIC and SME Executive Agency, projects must immediately deposit research outputs in a repository and provide open access under a CC BY licence, CC0 or equivalent, or, if open access would be against the project’s legitimate interests, grant...
What rules does the EIC Fund apply regarding non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes?
The EIC Fund shall directly apply the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes (as amended from time to time) issued by the Council in respect of EIC Accelerator operations.
What use of Copernicus and Galileo/EGNOS is required?
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.
When is the Gender Equality Plan checked during the application process?
A self-declaration is requested at application stage, and the existence of the Gender Equality Plan is checked before grant signature.
When might facility security clearing be required during the grant process?
Depending on the type of activity, facility security clearing may have to be provided before grant signature; the granting authority will assess the need case by case and establish delivery dates during grant preparation.
Which exclusion situations bar applicants from participating?
Applicants subject to EU administrative sanctions or in exclusion situations cannot participate, including bankruptcy or similar insolvency procedures; breach of social security or tax obligations; grave professional misconduct; fraud, corruption, links to cri...
Which organisations must have a Gender Equality Plan (GEP)?
Each legal entity that is a public body, a research organisation or a higher education establishment must have a Gender Equality Plan.
Are previous winners of the European Social Innovation Competition eligible?
No. Winners of all categories of previous editions of the European Social Innovation Competition are not eligible.
Can an applicant who already received an EU or Euratom prize receive a second prize for the same activities?
No. Applicants that have already received an EU or Euratom prize cannot receive a second prize for the same activities.
Can proposed solutions be based on ongoing activities or completed initiatives?
Yes. Proposed solutions must relate to ongoing activities or completed initiatives; for ongoing activities only work achieved by the submission deadline will be considered for the prize.
Does remote participation count for EIC Board honoraria?
Yes. Participation at plenary meetings through remote communication counts as physical presence for honoraria.