Library FAQ
What are CAR immune cell therapies?
CAR immune cell therapies are engineered immune cells modified to recognize specific targets and perform immune functions; they are advanced for T cells with oncology as the primary application and six CAR T cell products approved in the EU for haematological...
What are microbiome therapeutics?
Microbiome therapeutics are therapies that target microbial communities and their functions to improve host health by reshaping the ecological balance of the microbiome rather than acting on a single host protein or pathway.
What is autonomous robotic surgery?
Autonomous robotic surgery integrates robotics, AI, and multimodal imaging/sensing to perform surgical tasks with minimal human intervention; current research focuses on narrow tasks (knot-tying, suturing, trajectory planning) rather than full-procedure autono...
What is computational protein design?
Computational protein design uses data-driven methods, including machine learning and biophysical folding models, to predict structure and function from sequence and to design novel protein sequences that fold into predefined topologies and perform targeted ta...
What manufacturing challenges do CAR therapies face and what is new?
Manufacturing is complex and variable due to patient-derived starting material and centralized, labor-intensive processes. New developments include miniaturisation and automation for semi-closed or fully closed platforms, non-viral engineering (mRNA, transposa...
What real-world example demonstrates that AI-designed proteins can meet regulatory and clinical requirements?
A computationally designed protein nanoparticle carrying the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was licensed as the SKYCovione vaccine.
What recent advances are driving progress in computational protein design?
Recent advances include deep learning architectures trained on large sequence and structural datasets that improve structure prediction, integration with high-throughput synthesis and screening to form iterative design–build–test cycles, and a research shift t...
What recent advances are enabling mechanism-driven microbiome therapies?
Advances include large-scale sequencing, high-throughput cultivation, improved spatial sampling of the gut, synthetic biology for engineered strains, bacteriophages and phage enzymes for precision targeting, targeted delivery technologies, and large participat...
What recent innovations are advancing biohybrid microrobots toward translation?
Innovations include improved propulsion and manoeuvrability via biological propulsion units combined with magnetic nanoparticles or responsive polymers, targeted ligands or antibodies for selective localisation, AI-enabled control for adaptive behaviour, and w...
What technical advances are enabling more integrated autonomous surgical workflows?
Advances include deep learning-based computer vision for real-time anatomical and phase recognition, incorporation of force sensing and haptic feedback, adaptive control mechanisms, and integration of multimodal intraoperative data to enable closed-loop contro...
What types of interventions are used in microbiome therapeutics?
Interventions include providing nutrients for beneficial microbes, limiting substrates for harmful microbes, introducing beneficial or suppressive microbes (live biotherapeutics, single strains, defined consortia, engineered microbes), small molecules from mic...
Which clinical areas can microbiome therapeutics potentially address?
Applications extend beyond gastrointestinal disorders to oncology, autoimmunity, infections, and neurological conditions, reflecting systemic roles of the microbiome.
Why are biohybrid microrobots strategically relevant for Europe?
They converge advanced materials, biotechnology, AI, and medical technologies, so strengthening European capacity could reduce dependence on non-European supply chains for high-value therapeutic delivery technologies and aligns with STEP priorities on cross-do...
Are there additional safeguards for investments in certain technologies?
Yes. For investment support in AI, quantum, semiconductors and biotechnology, specific safeguards will be introduced in the investment agreement (see Economic Security section and Annex 2).
Are there special eligibility rules if an Open call application falls within a Challenge topic?
Yes. If an Open call application falls within the scope of a Challenge topic, grant-only funding is subject to eligibility in accordance with the specific conditions applicable to those topics.
Can companies that received “Grant first” support get EIC Fund investments?
Yes. Companies that received “Grant first” support under EIC Work Programmes 2021–2023 may receive investments if they achieve the milestones set for proceeding with the investment component.
Can the EIC Fund invest in a parent or holding company instead of the beneficiary?
Yes. The EIC Fund may invest in a parent or holding company if applicants indicate such an entity in their application and the parent/holding company fulfils all relevant criteria and the EIC Fund Investment Guidelines are followed.
How is the grant agreement handled when the EIC Fund invests in a parent or holding company?
When there is a grant component, the grant agreement with the beneficiary will include the parent or holding company as an affiliated entity in its role as investee.
Under which circumstances will the EIC Fund provide follow-on investments?
Follow-on investments are limited to exceptional cases: where necessary to secure EU interests or for strategic investments, or if subsequent funding rounds would not proceed or would proceed on significantly less favourable terms without the EIC Fund’s invest...
What approvals and reviews are required for EIC Fund follow-on investments?
Follow-on investments require a project review by external experts (to ensure Accelerator evaluation criteria are met), an amended Award Decision by the European Commission, and a renewed assessment (due diligence) by the EIB as investment adviser.
What are the aims of the Biotech for Regenerating Agricultural Soils Challenge?
The Challenge aims to scale biotech deep tech solutions to improve soil health, restore polluted or degraded soils, increase soil organic carbon and fertility, reduce dependency on hazardous chemicals, and support sustainable agricultural production of food, f...
What are the objectives of the Advanced Materials for Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Systems Challenge?
The Challenge aims to scale startups and SMEs developing advanced materials for renewable energy generation and mid-long term energy storage, focusing on design, synthesis, characterisation, up-scaling and production while minimising use of resources and addre...
What conditions must a parent or holding company meet to be eligible for EIC Fund investment?
The parent or holding company must fulfil all relevant criteria, including SME status, non-bankability for the EIC Accelerator, and establishment in an EU Member State or Associated Country, and comply with the EIC Fund Investment Guidelines.
What does the Fusion Power Plants Challenge support and what are TRL expectations?
It supports SMEs and start-ups advancing alternative fusion concepts and key enabling technologies across the fusion value chain (e.g., materials, lasers, magnets, digital technologies). Applicant TRLs can vary but are expected to range from 4 to 6 at applicat...