Library FAQ
What is the indicative budget and allocation for the Quantum technology components and semiconductor chip development Challenge?
The indicative budget is EUR 50 million. At least 30% will be allocated to Quantum technology components and at least 30% to semiconductor chip development areas; the remainder will be flexibly allocated based on successful submissions.
What is the maximum number of eligible entities allowed in a consortium?
Consortia of more than five eligible entities will be deemed ineligible (maximum five).
What requirements apply to proposals involving AI-based systems or techniques?
AI-based proposals must be technically robust (resilient to attack, secure and safe, have fallback plans, be accurate, reliable and reproducible) and demonstrate compliance with Trustworthy Intelligence Principles to a degree matching the research proposed.
When will the call open and can the opening or deadlines change?
The call will open on 17 April 2024. The Director-General responsible may open it up to one month prior or after that date and may delay the deadline(s) by up to two months.
Where is the definition of women-led SMEs and consortia provided?
The definition is provided in the Glossary in the Introduction of the Work Programme.
Which previous grants are eligible under the specified provisions?
Eligible grants are those awarded by the EIC, as well as the EIC pilot under Horizon 2020.
Are there participation restrictions related to communication networks?
Yes. Applications with elements concerning the evolution of European communication networks (5G, post‑5G and related technologies) will be subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks (see Annex II – Section B1).
Can a large company apply as a single legal entity?
No. Larger companies that do not qualify as SMEs are not eligible to apply as a single legal entity.
Can I apply if the eligible originating grant is still ongoing?
Yes, if the start date of the eligible grant is more than 12 months before the cut-off date of the relevant EIC Transition call.
Can I apply if the eligible originating project has already ended?
Yes, provided the end date of the eligible project is less than 30 months before the cut-off date of the relevant EIC Transition call (i.e., you may apply within 30 months of completion).
Can the formation and spin-out of a new company be included in an EIC Transition proposal if the project is not led by an SME or commercial partner?
Yes. You can include formation and spin-out activities, but you must describe the intended pathway to market and include specific milestones and concrete, verifiable KPIs to assess progress toward the market.
Do I need to have been a participant, PI or result owner of the eligible originating project to apply?
No. New participants, including start-ups, SMEs or other innovation actors, are welcome and encouraged to apply.
How and when must I submit my EIC Transition proposal?
You must submit via the Funding & Tenders Portal before the deadline of 17 September 2025 at 17:00 Brussels local time. Sections 1–3 and the cover page of Part B must not exceed 22 A4 pages.
How many proposals can be submitted per eligible originating ERC Proof of Concept or FET Innovation Launchpad project in the same call?
Only one proposal can be submitted per eligible originating ERC Proof of Concept or FET Innovation Launchpad project in the same call.
Is the EIC Transition call restricted to particular themes?
No. The EIC Transition Open call has no predefined thematic priorities and is open to proposals in any field of science, technology or application.
What funding and support is available for successful EIC Transition proposals?
The total indicative budget is EUR 98 million. Grants are Research and Innovation Actions; proposals requesting more than EUR 0.5 million and less than EUR 2.5 million for 1–3 years are considered appropriate, though larger amounts can be requested if well mot...
What information about the eligible originating project must be specified in the application?
You must specify the grant number and acronym of the eligible project(s) and reference where the result was reported (periodic reporting, the Horizon results platform, the EIC Transition ‘innovation discovery’ tool powered by the Innovation Radar, or CORDIS).
What IPR arrangements are required if I was not part of the eligible originating project?
If you were not part of the eligible project, your proposal must include a commitment letter from the owner(s) of the relevant result(s) confirming they will negotiate with you fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory access to such results, including IPR, for...
What IPR arrangements are required if I was part of the eligible originating project?
If you were part of the eligible project, you must confirm in your proposal that you are the IPR owner or holder and have the necessary rights to commercialise the results for the whole duration of the EIC Transition project.
What is the evaluation and decision timeline for proposals?
You will be informed of the first evaluation result, including feedback, indicatively within 9 weeks after the call deadline. If invited, the interview is organised around 11–13 weeks after the deadline and you will be informed of the interview result within a...
What minimum TRL must the results of the eligible originating project have to apply to EIC Transition?
Your proposal must build on results at least at experimental proof of concept (completed all elements of TRL 3); projects validated at lab level (TRL 4) are ideal. Proposals building on other TRL levels are not eligible.
What path to market must be specified in the proposal?
The applicant must specify which path to market will be pursued: direct exploitation by coordinator or beneficiary, creation of a spin‑off company, licensing to an established company (not part of the consortium), or another path to be described.
What technological and market maturity is expected from an EIC Transition project?
EIC Transition is expected to mature the innovation both in TRL and in market and business readiness from the beginning, with both tracks progressing in parallel and interacting.
Which types of originating projects are eligible for EIC Transition?
Eligible originating projects include EIC Pathfinder projects (including Horizon 2020 pilot Pathfinder, FET-Open, FET‑Proactive, CSA, CSA Lump sum FET Innovation Launchpad, FET Flagships), ERC Proof of Concept projects funded under Horizon 2020 or Horizon Euro...