Library FAQ

2,491 FAQ items
European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

Can applications be for services already delivered?

Yes. Applications may concern services still to be implemented or services already delivered, provided they were delivered no later than 6 months from the accomplishment of the service.

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

How many and what type of companies should EIC Scaling Club 2.0 support?

It should support a minimum of 70 deep tech companies, at least 35 from the EIC portfolio (primarily EIC Fund portfolio) and the remainder from similar national or associated-country programmes; companies should be series B+ ready with credible high-growth pot...

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

How should applications propose lump sum amounts?

Applications should propose a limited number of maximum lump sum amounts corresponding to different categories of services defined in the EIC Service Catalogue.

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

How will proposals for the CSA be evaluated and funded?

If admissible and eligible, proposals will be evaluated and ranked against the criteria in Annex 2. The funding rate is 100% of eligible costs, and at least 80% of the total EIC-funded budget must be allocated to financial support to third parties.

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

How will the call for lump sums be organised?

A continuously open call will be implemented; the CSA Beneficiary will invite eligible entities to apply for fixed-amount lump sums on a first-come, first-served basis determined by electronic timestamp, subject to eligibility checks and absence of double fund...

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

What admissibility and eligibility conditions apply to Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs) for this call?

The standard admissibility and eligibility conditions for CSAs as outlined in Annex 2 apply to this call.

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

What are the call timeline and budget for this CSA action?

Type of action: CSA. Call opening Q1 2026; deadline March 2026. Indicative budget EUR 4.5 million (other amounts may be submitted if duly justified).

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

What are the expected outcomes and impacts of this action?

The action should increase access for EIC Awardees to partners, services and infrastructure; accelerate lab-to-market transition and scaling up; create synergies and spread excellence across the European Innovation Ecosystem; and give Ecosystem Partners access...

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

What coordination is required with the Agency and other contractors?

The CSA Beneficiary must work closely with the Agency and the contractor implementing the call for Ecosystem Partners and the EIC Service Catalogue, participate in regular coordination meetings, provide timely information, and contribute to an uptake and impac...

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

What financial management measures are required in proposals?

Proposals must clearly outline mechanisms for effective and efficient administration of financial support, including measures to prevent misuse or abuse, to ensure sound financial management.

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

What is the maximum cumulative support a recipient can receive under this action?

The maximum cumulative support allocated to a recipient (or third party) under this action is EUR 60,000.

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

What is the objective of EIC Scaling Club 2.0?

EIC Scaling Club 2.0 aims to increase success and support growth of top European deep tech companies by strengthening their skills, knowledge and networks needed for scaling.

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

What is the recommended project duration and expected number of projects?

An effective duration of around 2–3 years is indicated. One project is expected to be funded under this action.

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

What Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will be used to monitor the action?

Minimum KPIs include Time to inform (from application to notification), Time to pay (from reception of service to payment), percentage of EIC Awardees using the lump sum scheme (target at least 20%), and 90% of entities evaluating the application system as lea...

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

What monitoring and survey obligations does the CSA Beneficiary have?

The CSA Beneficiary must monitor services received, run a quality survey immediately after the service ends and an impact survey 6 months after; both surveys must be validated with the Agency.

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

What must applications reference and include as proof?

Applications must reference a specific partner from the online EIC Ecosystem Partner Catalogue and include proof of approval from that partner.

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

What reporting and dashboard requirements must the CSA Beneficiary implement?

They must put in place real-time reporting and monitoring with dashboards showing applications received and funding awarded per EIC Awardee and aggregated data (e.g., geography, service type, financial support, partner distribution, survey results). Exact dash...

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

What type of financial support will the CSA Beneficiary provide to EIC Awardees?

The CSA Beneficiary will provide fixed-amount lump sums covering up to 70% of costs for access to R&D infrastructure, prototyping and IP/legal support, and up to 50% of costs for other services received from EIC Ecosystem Partners.

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026

Who qualifies as EIC Awardees eligible for this support?

EIC Awardees are defined in the Glossary and include Awardees selected under the H2020 EIC Pilot (2018–2020), entities awarded a Seal of Excellence under EIC Work Programmes, and EIC Pre-Accelerator awardees under the WIDERA Work Programme.

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2024

How is the indicative budget for the smart edge and quantum components Challenge allocated?

Indicative budget: EUR 50 million, with at least 30% allocated to Quantum technology components and at least 30% to semiconductor chip development areas; the remainder is flexibly allocated based on submissions.

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2024

What compliance is required for AI models developed under the AI Challenge?

AI models must comply with the EU concept for Trustworthy AI, the relevant ethical principles, and the (draft) AI Act, with due attention to data quality, transparency, privacy, and security.

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2024

What compliance is required for AI used in virtual worlds projects?

AI models developed or applied must comply with the EU concept for Trustworthy AI, relevant ethical principles, and the (draft) AI Act, with attention to data quality, transparency, privacy, and security.

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2024

What interoperability considerations are mentioned for virtual worlds?

Interoperability between solutions is key to enable free movement of users and tools between virtual worlds and to avoid gatekeeper phenomena.

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European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2024

What is the aim of the virtual worlds Challenge related to Industry 5.0?

To enable high-fidelity virtual worlds in high-impact markets that promote Industry 5.0 principles (sustainability, human-centricity, resilience) by scaling up innovations in platforms, middleware, tools, and devices with industry partnerships and end-user inv...

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