Library FAQ
What is the indicative budget for this Challenge?
EUR 50 million (indicative).
What is the scope of this Challenge call regarding energy vectors?
Energy vectors based on electrification and hydrogen fall outside the scope of this Challenge call, but they can be supported through the EIC Accelerator Open calls; digital tools for charging and capacity management are in scope.
What must applicants develop to be eligible for this Challenge?
Cost-effective and scalable solutions addressing at least one of the specified objectives in the mobility sector.
What outcomes and impacts are expected from this Challenge?
Expected outcomes include increasing competitiveness and economic autonomy of EU companies across the mobility value chain; scaling up technologies that materially reduce mobility‑related emissions or improve efficiency and affordability/inclusivity; improving...
When will the call open?
The call will open on 22 April 2025; the Director‑General responsible may open the call up to one month prior to or after this date and may delay deadlines by up to two months.
Who is this Challenge targeted at?
Start-ups and SMEs.
Will applicants to Accelerator Challenges receive any STEP-related recognition?
Yes; all Accelerator Challenges in the 2025 EIC Work Programme support technologies within the scope of the STEP legislation, and applicants to all Challenges will be awarded the Sovereignty (STEP) Seal in accordance with the provisions in Section IV.
Are Booster grants allowed to fund research or activities already funded by other EIC instruments?
No. EIC Booster grants do not fund research or activities already foreseen in the original project or already funded by other EIC instruments.
Can the EIC Programme Manager request preliminary findings and results from awardees?
Yes. At any time the EIC Programme Manager may request an EIC awardee to make available through the EIC Marketplace information on preliminary findings and results generated by the action, subject to confidentiality provisions and other conditions in the Annex...
How are applicants invited to apply for a Booster grant and how are proposals assessed?
EIC Awardees or other potential beneficiaries can be invited to apply following a positive recommendation from an EIC Programme Manager or a project review. Each proposal is assessed in accordance with Article 29(2) of the Horizon Europe Regulation, using spec...
How are Plug-in applicants treated after submission to the Agency?
Once submitted to the Agency, Plug-in applicants are treated the same as other applicants who passed the short proposal stage of the EIC Accelerator evaluation and may submit full applications to any cut-offs in the 12-month period following their Plug-in subm...
How is the term “programme” defined in this context?
“Programme” is understood broadly to mean systems and institutions of organised services, activities and opportunities to support and scale up high-impact innovations at national or regional level.
How long do the confidentiality provisions remain in force after the end of a grant or participation?
The confidentiality provisions remain in force for 60 months following the end or termination of the grant agreement or of the participation of the EIC awardee.
To whom may confidential preliminary findings be disclosed?
Confidential preliminary findings earmarked as such may be disseminated only to other EIC Awardees bound by EIC grant obligations, EIC Inventors who have signed a non‑disclosure agreement with the Agency, and other EIC Community members established in a Member...
What are the limits on the number of EIC Booster grants per project?
A maximum of three EIC Booster grants can be awarded for each EIC Pathfinder project (more only in exceptional justified cases). A maximum of one EIC Booster grant can be awarded for each EIC Transition project.
What award criteria are used for activities exploring pathways to commercialisation?
For exploration activities the criteria are: timeliness and pertinence of proposed activities (Excellence); potential of the deep‑tech innovation to create a new market or solve pressing societal needs (Impact); and expertise, capabilities and motivation of ap...
What award criteria are used for portfolio activities?
For portfolio activities the criteria are: contribution of the activity to the objectives of the EIC Portfolio (Excellence); timeliness to maximise impact (Impact); and engagement of EIC Portfolio projects and relevant external partners (Quality and efficiency...
What form of grant and funding rate applies to successful Booster grants?
Following grant preparation, the Agency awards the EIC Booster grant as a Coordination and Support Action. Eligible costs are covered by a lump sum and the funding rate is 100% of eligible costs.
What is an EIC Booster grant and what is its maximum value?
An EIC Booster grant is funding awarded outside any call to support portfolio coordinating activities or nurture innovation from selected projects, with a value not exceeding EUR 50 000.
What portfolio activities can Booster grants finance?
Portfolio activities may include defining common objectives and activities, building synergies within the EIC Portfolio and with outside partners (including the EIT Community), engaging strategic partners, organising events, maximising data sharing and raising...
What types of activities can EIC Booster grants support?
Booster grants may support activities such as defining a commercialisation process, market and competitiveness analysis, technology assessment, verification of innovation potential, consolidation of IP rights, business case development, preparatory work for st...
Who are EIC Inventors as defined in the Work Programme?
EIC Inventors are, with reference to information and results owned by any not‑for‑profit EIC awardee, any of their employees and subcontractors established in a Member State or an Associated Country who appear or are entitled to appear as inventor in any corre...
Who are potential beneficiaries of EIC Booster grants?
Potential beneficiaries include Awardees of EIC Pathfinder projects (including certain pilot Pathfinder, FET-Open and FET‑Proactive calls) and EIC Transition projects, as well as Awardees, Technology Transfer Offices, EIC Inventors and other third parties give...
Who can submit Plug-in proposals and when can they be submitted?
Plug-in proposals may be submitted by eligible programmes following publication of this work programme and once programmes have been certified as eligible from at least two thirds of the Member States.