Library FAQ
What do full proposals include and what are the cut-off dates in 2025?
Full proposals include a full business plan, full company finances and structure, milestones, a pitch-deck (pdf) and a video pitch up to three minutes. 2025 cut-offs for full proposals are March 12 and October 1 (and applicable 2026 cut-offs will be in the 202...
What happens if I apply for blended finance?
A single award decision covers both grant and investment components. Relevant proposal information is transmitted to the EIC Fund and its advisor to structure the investment (compliance checks, due diligence, possible syndication, tranches, milestones). The in...
What is the total indicative budget for the 2025 call?
The total indicative budget is EUR 634 million: EUR 384 million for EIC Accelerator Open and EUR 250 million for EIC Accelerator Challenges. The indicative budget for investment components is EUR 348 million managed by the EIC Fund.
What must applicants finance themselves?
Beneficiaries must finance 30% co-funding of the work packages covered by the grant component through their own resources.
What support is available to prepare a full proposal?
If your short proposal succeeds, you are entitled to one coaching support session from a Business Acceleration Services coach to prepare the full proposal. This support is optional and can be received once per proposal.
What TRL and project duration expectations apply to grant funding?
Grant funding covers innovation activities generally at least TRL 6 up to TRL 8. Innovation activities should normally be completed within 24 months but may be longer in well-justified cases; proposed duration should reflect current TRL and technology nature.
What types of support does the EIC Accelerator provide?
It provides Grant Only (lump sum grant), Blended Finance (grant lump sum + investment component such as direct equity or quasi-equity), and Investment Component Only (Equity-Only in the form of direct equity or quasi-equity). All funded projects also receive B...
Who can apply to the EIC Accelerator?
Eligible applicants are: a single SME established in a Member State or Associated Country; a single small mid-cap (up to 499 employees) established in a Member State or Associated Country (only for investment component only or, exceptionally, for blended finan...
Can procurers keep part of the action budget for co-creation?
The public procurer(s) receiving the financing support may keep a maximum of 10% of the action budget to run the co-creation process.
What are the consortium requirements for implementing the action?
A consortium must include a minimum of two partners from two Member States or Associated Countries, with at least one partner from a Member State.
What are the expected impacts of the procurement actions?
Concrete examples of public procurement of innovation; scaled-up EIC SMEs; attraction of European procurers into the EIC ecosystem; enhanced co-design between public/private partners and SMEs; stronger buyer engagement with SMEs; improved skills and capacity f...
What are the reporting and budget details for the EEN coordination action?
Reporting on indicators, supported companies' profiles and success stories must be ensured through an IT tool to enable aggregated regional statistics. Minimum data needed for SoE includes company age, size, sector, CEO gender, total public/private funding and...
What are the terms and budget for experts advising on the EIC Market Place?
Experts appointed in their personal capacity acting independently will receive a special allowance of EUR 450/day. Type of action: Expert contracts. Indicative budget: EUR 100 000 from the 2021 budget.
What is Action 1 and what are its limits?
Improved definition of procurers' challenges and needs via needs assessments (focus groups, workshops, studies) before procurement. Maximum duration 5 months and maximum budget EUR 10 000 (public or private buyers).
What is Action 2 and what are its limits?
Improved market sourcing and consultation before designing a tender, including events or supplier pitching. At least two EIC-funded projects/companies must be invited per engagement. Maximum duration 5 months and maximum budget EUR 10 000 (public or private bu...
What is Action 3 and what are its limits?
Co-creation of pilots/test solutions (development and early testing for TRL 6–9) including at least one EIC-funded company. Majority of support should co-finance supplier development. Maximum duration 10 months (public procurers only). Maximum budget per pilot...
What is Action 4 and what are its limits?
Support to the development of terms of reference, including innovation management, legal and IP advice. Maximum duration 10 months (public procurers only). Maximum budget per co-development EUR 50 000.
What is the action type, application deadline and indicative budget for the procurement call topic?
Type of action: Coordination and Support Action (CSA). Deadline for applications: 30/09/2021. The Commission considers proposals requesting a contribution in the order of EUR 2 million would address the challenge appropriately.
What is the format, target volumes and selection rules for the EEN support service?
Support takes the form of a 3–5 day (on average) 1-to-1 advisory service to strengthen business, innovation and partnering strategies. Target volumes per year: 300–400 companies from widening countries, 600–800 women-led companies, and 300 SoE holders. Proposa...
What is the objective of the innovation procurement call topic?
To support public and private procurers to better define their innovation and procurement needs, engage with suppliers (notably EIC-funded companies), foster aggregation of demand at European level, and create business opportunities for innovative technologies...
What is the purpose of the EEN support to the EIC Accelerator?
To help innovative companies in widening countries and women-led companies prepare high-quality EIC Accelerator proposals, and to support Seal of Excellence (SoE) holders in obtaining funding from public and/or private sources and accessing finance services.
What is the role of the group of experts on the EIC plug-in pilot?
They will support operation and implementation of the pilot Plug-in scheme for the EIC Accelerator, assess programmes and related evaluation processes submitted by Member States and Associated Countries annually, and certify programmes suitable for the pilot p...
What language(s) will be used for communication with the EIC?
English will be the communication language with the EIC, EIC companies and the European Commission, in addition to the language used by the public authority for the procurement procedure.
What proportion of the budget must be allocated to financial support to third parties?
Applicants must allocate at least 75% of the total proposed budget to financial support to third parties.