Library FAQ
What topics will the Expert Group on EIC Market Place and 'Tech to Market' advise on?
They will advise on supporting a broad spectrum of intellectual asset protection forms, wide asset types, different information/disclosure levels, valuation categorisations, modalities and incentives for sharing results, ways to combine/enrich assets, traceabi...
Which actions can private procurers access?
Private procurers (large corporates) have access only to Actions 1 and 2. Public procurers have access to all four Actions.
Who can be supported by this call?
Public and private procurers of innovation, with actions designed to benefit primarily EIC-funded projects and companies (Pathfinder, Transition activities and Accelerator).
Who should primarily benefit from the implemented actions?
Primarily EIC-funded projects and companies (Pathfinder, Transition activities and Accelerator).
Can previous winners or prior EU prize recipients apply to the Challenge Prize?
Winners of previous editions of the European Social Innovation Competition are not eligible, and applicants that have already received an EU or Euratom prize cannot receive a second prize for the same activities.
How are applications evaluated for the procurement contest?
A jury reviews and scores eligible applications and will invite shortlisted applicants to a hearing (which may take place remotely). Further details and rules are published at the contest launch and on the Funding and Tenders Portal.
How is the two-stage submission process organised and what are the prizes for the Challenge Prize?
Stage 1: short application; jury shortlists up to 30 applicants. Stage 2: finalists submit full applications; jury ranks three winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd). Each winner receives EUR 50 000 and all 30 finalists are offered business acceleration services for up to th...
What are the award criteria and prize for the Impact Prize?
Criteria: quality and clarity of the theory of change and impact measurement methodology with relevant indicators, and demonstrated results over the previous year based on those indicators. The winner receives EUR 50 000.
What are the award criteria for the Challenge Prize?
Degree of Innovation, Impact, Sustainability (financial and environmental), and Scalability and replicability.
What are the date requirements for initiatives submitting to the Challenge Prize?
The proposed solutions must relate to ongoing (even in an early phase) or completed initiatives started after 11 December 2019; for ongoing activities only work achieved by the submission deadline will be considered and applicants must prove the starting date.
What are the expected results of the procurement awards?
To stimulate innovation procurement uptake; acknowledge and support procurers and supporting legal entities; and build a diverse European community of public and private buyers to share and inspire each other in designing innovative procurement processes.
What are the Fast Track and Plug-in schemes for applying to the EIC Accelerator?
Fast Track: a scheme for proposals stemming from existing Horizon Europe or Horizon 2020 projects where a funding body conducts a project review using award criteria equivalent to the EIC Accelerator short stage and independent evaluation; if criteria are met...
What are the rules for single legal entity and consortium composition in Horizon Europe actions?
Mono-beneficiary actions: applicant must be established in a Member State or Associated Country. Multi-beneficiary consortia: at least three independent legal entities, with at least one in a Member State and at least two other independent legal entities each...
What are the timetable and budget for the Challenge Prize in 2022?
Opening Q1–Q2 2022; deadlines and full application period Q2–Q3 2022; award Q4 2022. Challenge prize budget: EUR 150 000 (EUR 50 000 x 3 winners).
What aspects of collaboration are emphasised in innovation procurement practices?
Establishment of synergies, promotion of best practices, support for capacity building and skill development, and knowledge sharing between stakeholders across territories, especially among those at different stages of maturity in innovation procurement practi...
What is the European Social Innovation Competition?
A competition managed by the Agency to stimulate social innovation addressing societal challenges and foster sustainable, inclusive growth; it comprises the European Social Innovation Challenge Prize 2022 and the European Social Innovation Impact Prize 2022.
What is the European Social Innovation Impact Prize and who is eligible?
A prize recognising semi-finalists of the 2021 Challenge Prize who have evolved their applications, developed impact methodology, and demonstrated results. Applicants must have been one of the 30 semi-finalists of the 2021 edition; winners of the 2021 Challeng...
What is the indicative budget for the procurement prize categories?
For each of three categories (Innovation procurement strategy, Facing societal challenges, Procurement leadership) the winner receives EUR 75 000 and the runner-up EUR 25 000.
What is the indicative timetable for the procurement contest in 2022?
Opening Q1–Q2 2022, deadline for submissions Q3 2022, and award of the prize Q4 2022.
What is the theme of the European Social Innovation Challenge Prize 2022?
'The future of living, innovation for affordable, and sustainable housing districts'.
What societal impact is prioritised for procurement practices?
Practices must demonstrate positive quantitative and qualitative impact on society, with special emphasis on achieving the Green Deal and digital transformation priorities.
What solutions are ineligible for the Challenge Prize?
Proposed solutions that harm the environment or social welfare are not eligible.
What types of innovations does the Challenge Prize seek?
Social innovations that generate economic and/or societal benefits, including non-technological innovations and breakthrough, market-creating deep-tech innovations; gender-sensitive solutions for energy consumption, mobility, waste management and other sustain...
Who is eligible to apply to the Challenge Prize?
A natural person or a legal entity (such as universities, research organisations, SMEs, start-ups or NGOs, excluding public administrations) located in a Member State (including overseas countries and territories) or an Associated Country to Horizon Europe.