Library FAQ
What are the main indicative budgets listed in Annex 1 for 2025 calls/actions?
Selected figures: PATHFINDEROPEN-01 EUR 142 million; PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01 EUR 120 million; TRANSITIONOPEN-01-01 EUR 98 million; ACCELERATOROPEN-01 EUR 384 million (grant component EUR 173 million; equity component EUR 211 million); ACCELERATORCHALLENGES-01...
What do the Annexes in the EIC Work Programme 2025 cover?
They set out general conditions applicable to calls and topics, describe evaluation and award procedures, and other criteria for Horizon Europe EIC funding; deviations are stated in the main Work Programme.
What is meant by concurrent submission and concurrent implementation for the EIC Accelerator?
Concurrent submission: submitting more than one proposal to any EIC Accelerator call before feedback on the earlier submission—only the last proposal before the deadline is considered. Concurrent implementation: an ongoing Accelerator/Pilot/SME Instrument gran...
What is the Marketplace mentioned in the EIC Work Programme 2025?
The Marketplace is a new tool to collect and organise preliminary findings and results from EIC projects and proactively make this information, with supporting services and expertise, available to potential partners, investors and entrepreneurs to take the res...
What is the reserve for follow-on investments and grant-first equity in Annex 1?
Category breakdown includes an equity component of EUR 300 million and a reserve amount for follow-on investments and investment component of grant-first of EUR 80 million.
What type of action and budget are allocated for developing the Marketplace?
Type of action: Service Level Agreement. Indicative budget: EUR 1 million.
Where will the Marketplace be hosted and who is it dedicated to?
It will be hosted by the Corporate Horizon Results Platform and will be dedicated to EIC beneficiaries.
Which entities are eligible to participate in EIC funding?
Any legal entity, regardless of place of establishment (including non-associated third countries and international organisations), provided they meet conditions in the Horizon Europe Regulation and any specific call/topic conditions.
Which entities are excluded due to EU restrictive measures or sanctions?
Entities subject to EU restrictive measures under Article 29 TEU and Article 215 TFEU, as well as entities established in Russia, Belarus or non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine, are not eligible to participate; exceptions may be granted case-by-ca...
Which guidance documents are applicants invited to read?
Applicants are invited to read these Annexes, the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, and the EU Grants AGA — Annotated Grant Agreement.
Are applicants required to use the EIC coaching services?
Applicants are encouraged to use the EIC coaching services, but it is up to the applicants to decide if and when to use them.
Are the budget amounts for 2026 and 2027 guaranteed?
No. Amounts for 2026 and 2027 are subject to the availability of the appropriations provided for in the general budget of the Union for 2026 and 2027 and the adoption of the EIC Work Programmes.
As a STEP Seal beneficiary, what additional documentation might be requested?
You might be requested to provide additional documentation for the sake of an Ownership and Control Assessment where there is such a requirement.
Can EIC coaching involve travel?
Yes. Coaching involving travel may take place in duly justified cases when the physical presence of the coach is expected to bring significantly better results.
Can the Coaching 2025 budget be used for Horizon 2020 EIC legacy projects?
Yes, the Coaching 2025 budget may also be used for the Horizon 2020 EIC legacy projects.
How will the Expert Group's terms of reference be established?
The terms of reference will be co-created and co-designed with Member States under the Working Group of the EIC Forum.
Is a Pre-Accelerator call planned under the Horizon Europe widening work programme?
A Pre-Accelerator call is envisaged to be launched in 2025 under the Horizon Europe widening work programme (WIDERA), subject to decisions taken for that work programme.
Is a pre-commitment legally binding?
The pre-commitment is non-legally binding in nature and will be assessed at the time of proposal evaluation.
What can applicants do if they wish to apply for lower investment amounts?
Applicants wishing to apply for lower investment amounts may apply to the EIC Accelerator call.
What form of payment will the EIB receive for its tasks related to the EIC Accelerator investment component?
The EIB will receive an annual fee for these tasks.
What happens if the pre-committed investor is not the lead investor?
Then the EIC Fund investment will be subject to the participation of the qualified lead investor as defined in the EIC Investment Guidelines available on the EIC website.
What is the Expert Group on the EIC Plug-in scheme expected to do?
It will support EIC operation and implementation of the Plug-in scheme, assess programmes and related evaluation processes submitted by Member States and Associated Countries, recommend certification of suitable programmes, provide recommendations on improveme...
What is the indicative budget for the Service Level Agreement related to EIB fees?
Indicative budget: EUR 1 million.
What is the type of action and indicative budget for the contribution agreement mentioned?
Type of Action: Contribution agreement. Indicative budget: EUR 1 million (with the exception of the Next Generation EU component of the budget).