Library FAQ
What is the maximum amount to be granted to a third party?
The maximum amount to be granted to a third party is EUR [15 900].
What KPI requirements must applicants provide in their proposals?
Applicants must provide SMART key performance indicators that at minimum measure number of matches and internships, impact, and satisfaction rates for companies and interns.
What must applicants include in their proposals regarding management and control of financial support to third parties?
Applicants must specify how the management and control of this financial support will be organised effectively and efficiently, including measures to ensure sound financial management and avoidance of any abuse.
What must the Beneficiary include regarding the organisation and matching of internships?
The Beneficiary must provide a comprehensive work plan covering each internship from match to follow-up, ensuring matching accounts for the maximum number of interns eligible for reimbursements and ensures diversity of interns (including by country and gender)...
What outcomes and impacts are expected from the internship scheme?
Expected impacts include increased awareness of career paths in startups or founding companies, improved access to research talent for EIC and EIT-supported startups and SMEs, increased visibility of the scheme and funding opportunities, and high-quality asses...
What proportion of the EIC-funded budget must be allocated to financial support to third parties and in what form?
At least 50 percent of the total budget funded by the EIC for this action must be allocated through financial support to third parties in the form of lump sums.
Who bears the reimbursement costs for researchers funded by MSCA, HE Research Infrastructure, EIT/EIT KICs?
Reimbursements of internship costs for researchers funded by MSCA, HE Research Infrastructure, EIT/EIT KICs will be borne by the respective partner programmes.
Are EIC coaching services mandatory and can they include travel?
EIC coaching services are encouraged but optional; coaching involving travel may take place in duly justified cases when the coach's physical presence is expected to bring significantly better results, mainly for coaching EIC awardees.
Can investors who have not completed KYC provide pre-commitments?
Yes. Investors who have not undergone a KYC by the EIC Fund or EIF may provide pre‑commitments, but these are subject to completion of a KYC during the eligibility checks.
Can unused EIC 2025 funds be reused in later calls?
Yes. This includes the EUR 300 million allocated under the EIC 2025 Work Programme which may be reused in a call if there are unused amounts.
Does the STEP framework include critical raw materials?
Yes. According to the guidance note, the scope of STEP includes critical raw materials.
How is a 'city' defined for the iCapital awards and who can apply?
A city is a Local Administrative Unit (LAU) or group of LAUs where a majority of the population lives in an urban centre of at least 50,000 inhabitants (LAU figures must be those in the latest validated Eurostat LAU correspondence table at submission). Local a...
How is a 'Qualified Investor' defined in the Work Programme?
A Qualified Investor is a public or private investor with demonstrable know‑how and experience in the relevant market, technology and jurisdiction, who has been subject to KYC/AML screening and not considered high‑risk; in exceptional cases a high‑risk investo...
What access do BAS contractors implementing BAS services receive?
BAS contractors implementing BAS services will receive access to EIC data and business workflow infrastructure and to EIC and EIC Fund relevant data (e.g., equity amount, co‑investment information) on a needs‑to‑know basis.
What application materials are required for the Women Innovators prize and how are applications assessed?
Applicants must support their written application with an inspiring video of no more than 90 seconds. The jury assesses Parts A and B of the application form and the video; shortlisted applicants are invited to a hearing (which may be remote). The award criter...
What are Strategic Projects under the CRMA?
Strategic Projects under the CRMA are selected projects identified by the Commission; a list of selected projects is available under the Strategic Projects section of the CRMA.
What are the categories, eligibility and prizes for the European Capital of Innovation Awards (iCapital)?
There are two categories: European Capital of Innovation (cities with minimum 250,000 inhabitants; in eligible countries the closest city with at least 50,000 may apply) awarding the winner EUR 1,000,000 and two runners‑up EUR 100,000 each; and European Rising...
What are the main eligibility criteria for the European Prize for Women Innovators?
Applicants must be women legally residing in an EU Member State (including OCTs) or a country associated to Horizon Europe; must be the founder or co‑founder; the company/organisation must be established in an EU Member State/OCT/associated country and registe...
What are the objectives and prize categories of the European Prize for Women Innovators?
The Prize celebrates women entrepreneurs who have transformed ideas into disruptive innovations and inspires others. There are two EIC prize categories funded under this Work Programme: Women Innovators (three prizes: EUR 100,000; EUR 70,000; EUR 50,000) and R...
What is a pre-commitment and is it legally binding?
The pre-commitment is non-legally binding in nature and will be assessed at the time of proposal evaluation.
What is meant by 'emerging environmental market-based mechanisms' in this Work Programme?
The term refers to mechanisms such as payments for ecosystem services and nature credits, as noted in the Commission's communication on nature markets.
What is the EIC STEP Scale Up call and how is it governed?
The EIC STEP Scale Up call is a specific call within the EIC Accelerator defined under Article 48 of Horizon Europe, following amendment by Article 17(2) of the STEP Regulation; the same provisions on indirect management and on parent and holding companies tha...
What is the STEP Regulation and where can I find guidance on it?
The STEP Regulation is Regulation (EU) 2024/795 establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP); guidance notes concerning certain provisions of the STEP Regulation have been published (including C(2025)3148 of 8 May 2024).
What option do applicants have if they seek lower investment amounts than in a specific call?
Applicants wishing to apply for lower investment amounts may apply to the EIC Accelerator call.