Library FAQ
What design and policy considerations are required for Micro-Nano-Bio Challenge projects?
Ethics, safety and sustainability/circularity by design (including eco-design of disposables), addressing gender-specificity, and identifying opportunities for policy development and standardisation.
What does the 'Quality and motivation of the team' criterion cover?
Whether the team has the capability and motivation to implement the technological innovation and market activities, and whether risks preventing validation or market success have been appropriately considered.
What funding and support does the EIC Accelerator provide?
Funding from EUR 0.5 to EUR 17.5 million and Business Acceleration Services, focusing on deep-tech innovations with technology tested at least to TRL 5; it offers blended finance composed of an investment component and a grant component.
What happens if an individual SME meets all evaluation thresholds at the first step but is not selected for funding?
It may be awarded a Seal of Excellence and applicants receive an Evaluation Summary Report from the first evaluation step.
What is assessed under the 'Impact (GO/NO GO)' evaluation criterion?
Credibility of impacts including whether the proposed business model is sound and whether expected impacts are credible and realistic within the project and beyond. For EIC Transition Challenges only, also whether the application contributes to the expected ou...
What is the focus of the Environmental intelligence Challenge?
Demonstrating novel devices, sensors or technologies that detect/monitor/prevent/reduce/eliminate environmental contaminants and enable environmental intelligence through data collection, analysis and modelling, while supporting sustainable business models.
What is the overall goal of the Micro-Nano-Bio devices Challenge?
Completion of Micro-Nano-Bio technology suitable for transition to market, including realising and validating a fully functional integrated device or system based on previously developed modules and driven by market needs.
What is the total indicative budget for the EIC Transition Challenges call and how is it allocated?
EUR 60.5 million in total, allocated approximately equally between the three Challenges; a component will be funded through Next Generation EU.
What must applicants demonstrate by the end of Environmental intelligence projects?
A mature technology prototype validated or demonstrated in a relevant environment (TRL 5/6) and demonstrated advantage in a specific environment or a general-purpose device able to unlock the field's potential.
What outcomes are expected from projects in the Micro-Nano-Bio Challenge?
Significant progress to technological maturity suitable for exploitation, an exploitation strategy, a credible business model with initial validation, and a business plan.
What outcomes are expected from the Chip-scale optical frequency combs Challenge?
Foster skills and innovation in semiconductor technologies, lead to deep-tech innovations for next-generation chips, and produce an exploitation strategy, a credible business model with initial validation, and a business plan.
What outcomes are expected from the Environmental intelligence Challenge?
Commercial emergence of new environmental technologies, reduction of pollution via safe and sustainable pilot-scale prototypes, enabling evidence-based environmental policy, promoting an environmental monitoring/remediation-based economy, and a credible exploi...
What specific objectives are expected from Micro-Nano-Bio Challenge projects?
Realise and validate integrated Micro-Nano-Bio devices/systems, accelerate discovery in cell or pathogen biology via advanced microfluidics/biosensing/biomaterials/AI/ML, automate clinical workflows, streamline therapy discovery/production while minimising ani...
Who can apply to the EIC Accelerator?
A single SME established in a Member State or Associated Country; a single small mid-cap (up to 499 employees) in exceptional rapid scale-up cases; or one or more natural persons or legal entities intending to establish or invest in an SME/small mid-cap in a M...
How and when are STEP Scale Up applications evaluated?
Applications can be submitted at any time via the Funding and Tenders Portal and are evaluated in four quarterly batches with deadlines 11/02/2026, 06/05/2026, 09/09/2026 and 25/11/2026.
How can deep tech start-ups and SMEs contribute to the CRMA objectives?
They can develop and commercialise innovations across exploration, extraction/refining and recycling of CRMs to strengthen primary supply, increase recovery rates of critical and strategic raw materials, and improve competitiveness and sustainability of second...
How will the EIC link funded climate adaptation solutions to on-the-ground actors?
Through Business Acceleration Services, especially the innovation procurement programme, the EIC will connect supported startups and SMEs with regions and local authorities engaged in the EU Mission on Adaptation to facilitate accelerated uptake; funded soluti...
Is deep-sea mining included in the CRM call?
No. Deep-sea mining does not fall within the scope of this call.
Is STEP Scale Up funding a grant or equity?
Support under STEP Scale Up is equity-only investments managed by the EIC Fund; applicants should request between EUR 10 and EUR 30 million and will not receive a grant component.
What additional support or recognition do successful STEP Scale Up applicants receive?
Beyond investment, companies receive Business Acceleration Services; applicants meeting evaluation thresholds are awarded a Sovereignty (STEP) Seal to facilitate access to funding/support from other EU programmes and funders; the EIC Fund will also take safegu...
What are the main aims of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) adopted in 2024?
The CRMA aims to set 2030 benchmarks for domestic capacities of strategic raw materials, create secure and resilient supply chains, enhance supply risk preparedness and mitigation, improve sustainability and circularity of CRMs on the EU market, and diversify...
What climate risks for Europe does the Deep Tech for Climate Adaptation Challenge target?
The Challenge targets four IPCC-identified risks: heat-related mortality and ecosystem changes, heat and drought stress on crops, water scarcity, and flooding and sea level rise.
What documents must be submitted for a STEP Scale Up proposal?
Proposals must include a full business plan (max 50 pages), a pitch-deck (max 15 pages, pdf), the pre-commitment (official template), a financial plan and agreement document, results of a freedom to operate analysis or a max 2-page note if unavailable, and CVs...
What investment amounts are available under the EIC STEP Scale Up call?
Selected companies can receive equity-only investments ranging from EUR 10 to EUR 30 million to co-invest in a funding round sized EUR 50 to 150 million, with the EIC investment expected to catalyse at least 3–5 times the EIC contribution.