Library FAQ
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).
What is the type of action and indicative budget for the Expert Group action supporting the Plug-in scheme?
Type of action: Expert contracts. Indicative budget: EUR 100 000.
What special allowance is payable to experts appointed in their personal capacity for the Expert Group?
A special allowance of EUR 450 per day will be paid to such experts.
When is the call opening for the Expert Group action?
Call Opening: From Q1 2025.
Where can I find further information on the scope and objectives of STEP?
See the Guidance Note concerning certain provisions of Regulation (EU) 2024/795 establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), C(2025)3148 of 8 May 2024.
Where should code developed to implement the IT components be released?
The code should be released in open source under code.europa.eu.
Who has been entrusted with tasks related to the investment component of the EIC Accelerator?
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has been entrusted with those tasks as the implementing partner, in line with Council Decision 2021/764/EU.
How can eligible entities apply for BAS?
Unless otherwise specified, eligible entities can apply through open calls published on the EIC Community Platform; selection is based on assessment by business partners or market experts or on a first-come, first-served basis.
How much coaching do EIC Awardees and Pre-accelerator Awardees receive?
EIC Awardees and Pre-accelerator Awardees are offered twelve days of remote coaching (extensions possible in exceptional cases), accessible via an EIC Ecosystem Partner or directly from the EIC if no suitable alternative is available.
How much coaching do other eligible entities receive?
Other entities eligible for BAS services receive three days of remote coaching; exceptionally, coaching can be offered to beneficiaries of other EIC or Horizon Europe actions.
What are Investors’ Outreach Activities?
Together with the EIC Fund, these activities provide specialised fundraising support to EIC Awardees, including investor matching events, direct introductions, and strengthening networks of capital providers; indicative budget EUR 3.5 million from Q1 2025.
What are the eligibility criteria for the European Prize for Women Innovators?
The applicant must be a woman natural person legally residing in an EU Member State (including OCTs) or an associated country, be the founder or co-founder of the company/organisation, and the company/organisation must be established in the same territory and...
What are the European Capital of Innovation Awards (iCapital) categories and prizes?
Categories: European Capital of Innovation (cities ≥250,000 inhabitants — winner EUR 1,000,000; two runners-up EUR 100,000 each) and European Rising Innovative City (50,000–249,999 inhabitants — winner EUR 500,000; two runners-up EUR 50,000 each). Each applica...