Library FAQ
If an Open call application falls within the scope of certain Challenges, what happens?
Grant funding is subject to eligibility in accordance with the specific conditions applicable to those Challenge topics (e.g., GenAI4EU; Innovative in-space servicing, operations, space-based robotics and technologies for resilient EU space infrastructure).
In which exceptional cases will the EIC Fund consider follow-on investments?
Where necessary to secure EU interests or in the case of strategic technologies, and if subsequent funding rounds would not proceed or would proceed on significantly less favourable terms without the EIC Fund’s follow-on investment.
What are the focus areas of the Biotechnology driven low emission food and feed production systems Challenge?
Replacing fossil fuels in pesticide and fertiliser production; increasing resource use efficiency and climate-smart agriculture; mitigating ruminant enteric methane emissions; and expanding conventional food and feed production. Projects must provide a lifecyc...
What aspects of the team does the EIC evaluate?
Whether the team has the capability and motivation to implement the proposal and bring it to market, and whether there is a plan to acquire any critical competencies currently missing, including adequate gender balance.
What follow-on investments can the EIC Fund provide to already supported companies?
The EIC Fund may provide follow-on investments of up to EUR 10 million, subject to availability of budget, an external project review, an amended Award Decision and renewed due diligence by the EIB as adviser to the EIC Fund.
What is EIC Accelerator Open?
A strand with no predefined thematic priorities, open to proposals in any field of technology or application.
What is expected regarding risk mitigation in proposals?
The main risks (technological, market, financial, regulatory) must be identified together with measures to mitigate them.
What is meant by 'Broader impact' in the EIC assessment?
Whether the innovation, if successfully commercialised, will achieve positive societal, economic, environmental or climate impacts.
What is the aim of the Advanced Materials Challenge and its key application areas?
To scale SMEs across the advanced materials value chain addressing design, synthesis, characterisation, up-scaling and production, and scaling up processes to reach targeted functionalities, in the application areas of energy, mobility, electronics and constru...
What is the total indicative budget for EIC Accelerator Challenges in 2025?
EUR 250 million, which may be transferred between Challenges and, if still underutilised, to the Accelerator Open.
What must a company requesting an investment component demonstrate about the risk level?
That without an investment from the EIC Fund European market actors are unwilling to commit the full amount needed, and that with EIC support the company will be able to attract the remaining funding from other investors within the next two years.
What should applicants do before reapplying after a previous unsuccessful submission?
They are expected to take into account the feedback on their previous submission and only reapply if they have made significant improvements.
What should the implementation plan include?
A clear plan with defined milestones, work packages and deliverables, together with realistic resources and timings.
When might the EIC Fund invest in a parent or holding company instead of the beneficiary?
If the parent or holding company fulfils all relevant criteria (including SME status, non-bankability for the EIC Accelerator purpose, and establishment in an EU Member State or Associated Country) and the EIC Fund Investment Guidelines are followed; applicant...
Which areas may have specific safeguards introduced in investment agreements?
Applications in the areas of AI, quantum, semiconductors and biotechnology may have specific safeguards in the investment agreement.
Are the budgets in the calls and topics final?
No; the budgets are indicative and final budgets may change following evaluation, with final figures able to change by up to 20% compared to the totals indicated.
Can amounts from Accelerator calls be used for follow-on investments?
Yes; amounts from Accelerator calls, including decommitted amounts, may be used for follow-on investments within the same budgetary year, subject to a valid financing decision and provision of information to the EIC and EIE Programme Committee.
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.
How much of the investment transfers is the EIC Fund’s administrative budget expected to represent on average?
The administrative budget to cover EIC Fund operations and administration will on average not exceed 10% of the budget transferred for investment purposes.
How will the expert group's work relate to the Horizon Europe mid-term review?
The expert group's work will be complementary to the Horizon Europe mid-term review, and its outputs are expected to feed into that review.
What additional advice will the expert group provide?
The group will advise on approaches to simplify operations and improve accessibility to funding and support for European innovation community stakeholders.
What are the main features of the EIC Accelerator budget and Next Generation EU funding?
The Accelerator is a continuously open call; its amount may be increased by previously committed but unallocated sums; the share between investments and grants will result from evaluation and due diligence; the Next Generation EU contribution will only be used...
What conditions must a project meet to be submitted via the Fast Track scheme?
The project review must conclude the proposal meets the first two EIC Accelerator criteria (excellence and impact), there is no duplication of funding with the existing grant, and the applicant meets EIC Accelerator eligibility criteria.
What happens to unused investment budget for the Accelerator?
If the full budget allocated for investments in year N is not committed by year N+1 at the latest, the unused budget may be reallocated to subsequent EIC Accelerator calls.