Library FAQ
What confidentiality and non-disclosure obligations apply to recipients of confidential preliminary findings?
Recipients must keep the information strictly confidential, not disclose it without prior written consent, use the same degree of care as for their own confidential information, act in good faith, and not use it for purposes other than assessing opportunities...
What is the funding rate for awarded EIC Booster grants?
The funding rate is 100% of the eligible costs for the Coordination and Support Action that represents the EIC Booster grant.
What is the maximum amount and limits for EIC Booster grants?
EIC Booster grants have fixed amounts of up to EUR 50,000. A maximum of three Booster grants can be awarded per EIC Pathfinder project (more only in exceptional, duly justified cases) and a maximum of one Booster grant per EIC Transition project.
What role do EIC Plug-in contact points have in the certification process?
EIC Plug-in contact points (representatives of Member States and Associated Countries) must provide accurate information and all key elements about their programmes; only programmes with all required information provided will be considered for certification.
What types of activities can EIC Booster grants fund?
They can fund complementary activities to explore pathways to commercialisation (e.g., market analysis, IP consolidation, business case development, start-up preparatory work) or portfolio activities (e.g., defining common objectives, building synergies, engag...
When will Plug-in proposals be accepted?
Plug-in proposals will be accepted starting from the first EIC Accelerator cut-off in 2022 at the earliest.
Which programmes will be considered initially for the pilot Plug-in scheme?
Only public programmes at national and regional level submitted by Member States and Associated Countries will be considered initially.
Who are EIC Inventors as defined in the Work Programme?
EIC Inventors are, with reference to information and results owned by any EIC awardee that is a not-for-profit legal entity, any of their employees and subcontractors established in a Member State or Associated Country and appearing or entitled to appear as in...
Who assesses and who certifies programmes for the pilot Plug-in scheme?
A group of experts assesses the programmes and their related evaluation procedures; the Commission certifies which programmes are suitable based on that assessment.
Who is eligible to receive EIC Booster grants?
Awardees of EIC Pathfinder projects (including certain pilot Pathfinder, FET-Open and FET-Proactive calls) and awardees of EIC Transition projects are eligible.
Who is responsible for implementing the Plug-in scheme at national or regional level?
The funding/managing bodies in charge of the national/regional programmes, or another authority appointed under their responsibility, are responsible for implementing the Plug-in scheme in accordance with the provisions.
Will the Plug-in pilot be evaluated after initial implementation?
Yes, the pilot Plug-in scheme will be subjected to an assessment after the first implementation to verify effectiveness and proposal quality for potential renewal and inclusion of other programmes.
Will the results of the mapping exercise and certification be publicly available?
Yes, the result of the mapping exercise and the certification will be published on the EIC website.
Can an applicant apply to multiple prize categories?
Applicants eligible for several prize categories can only apply to one.
How are Women Innovators applications evaluated?
The jury reviews and scores eligible applications, invites shortlisted applicants to an interview (which may be remote), and follows further evaluation rules published in the contest rules.
How is the term 'woman' defined for the Women Innovators prize?
The Prize celebrates women in all their diversity; the word 'woman' equates to a cis woman or a transgender woman who is legally defined as a woman.
Is there an age limit for the Women Innovators category?
No. There is no age limit to apply for the Women Innovators category (or for the EIT Women Leadership category).
What age requirement applies to the Rising Innovators category?
Those applying for the Rising Innovators category must be aged under 35 at the start of the call year; the text specifies candidates must have been born on or after 1 January 1989.
What are key eligibility time and location requirements for procurement awards?
The awarded procurement/practice must have taken place in a Member State (including OCTs) or an Associated Country and must relate to initiatives started after 1 January 2019; for ongoing activities only work completed by the submission deadline will be consid...
What are the award criteria for the iCapital competition?
The cumulative criteria are Experimenting, Escalating, Ecosystem building, Expanding, City innovative vision, and Citizens' rights.
What are the award criteria for the Women Innovators prize?
The criteria are Breakthrough innovation (deep-tech/STEM, founded/co-founded organisation), Impact (addresses real need with socio‑economic/environmental benefit), and Inspiration (applicant as an empowering role model for women and girls).
What are the categories and prize amounts for the Innovation Procurement Awards?
Two categories: Innovation procurement initiative (including implementation) and Facing societal challenges – Net Zero Industry Procurement. Each category: 1st EUR 75,000; 2nd EUR 50,000; 3rd EUR 25,000.
What are the eligibility rules for cities applying to the iCapital categories?
Candidate towns and cities must be located in a Member State or an Associated Country to Horizon Europe. Capital category: minimum 250,000 inhabitants (in countries without such cities, the city closest to 250,000 with at least 50,000 inhabitants may apply if...
What are the prize amounts for the iCapital categories in 2024?
European Capital of Innovation winner EUR 1,000,000; two runners-up EUR 100,000 each. European Rising Innovative City winner EUR 500,000; two runners-up EUR 50,000 each.