Library FAQ
What timing rules apply if the linked eligible project is still active or completed?
If the linked project grant is still active you may apply only if it has been active for at least 12 months. If it is completed you may apply within 24 months of the end date of that grant.
What types of partners can consortia include?
Consortia may include universities, research organisations, SMEs or larger companies, user/customer organisations or potential end users (e.g. hospitals, utilities, industry, regulatory and standardisation bodies, public authorities).
What types of projects and outcomes does EIC Transition support?
EIC Transition funds activities that mature and validate results beyond laboratory proof of principle toward application environments and market readiness (typically up to TRL 5–6). Expected outcomes are a technology demonstrated for its intended application a...
Which earlier projects make you eligible to apply to EIC Transition 2022?
Proposals must build on results from eligible projects: EIC Pathfinder (including pilot, Horizon 2020 FET-Open, FET-Proactive) and FET Flagships calls, and European Research Council Proof of Concept projects.
Who can apply as a single legal entity (mono-beneficiary)?
A single legal entity established in a Member State or Associated Country can apply as mono-beneficiary only if it is an SME or a research performing organisation (university, research or technology organisation). Larger companies that do not qualify as SMEs a...
Are applicants required to meet all previous-step criteria to be considered for interview?
Yes. For any applicant to be considered for interview, they must meet all the evaluation criteria at all of the previous steps of the selection process.
Are reimbursable advances available in 2021 and what are their main terms if introduced?
Reimbursable advances were not available at the start of 2021 but may be introduced during 2021. If introduced, the maximum amount would be EUR 2.5 million, reimbursing up to 70% of eligible costs of innovation activities, provided as an interest-free loan pay...
How are full applications evaluated?
Full applications are assessed following the cut-off dates by three EIC expert evaluators. If all three evaluators give a GO for all criteria, the full application is successful and you will be invited to a face-to-face interview with an EIC jury. If one or mo...
How are short applications evaluated?
Short applications are evaluated by four EIC experts as soon as they are submitted. If at least two evaluators give a GO for all the criteria, the short application is successful and you will be invited to prepare a full application. If more than two evaluator...
How does the resubmission policy work for full proposal remote evaluation after rejection?
If rejected one time at remote evaluation of the full proposal, you may resubmit directly to remote evaluation of the full proposal at one of the following two cut-offs but will be expected to have made improvements. If rejected a second time, you will not be...
How does the resubmission policy work for short applications after rejection?
If rejected one time at short application stage, you may resubmit to the short application stage at any time but will be expected to have made improvements. If rejected a second time, you will not be allowed to submit another application for 12 months, after w...
How is the budget allocated between cut-offs?
The budget will be allocated approximately equally between the cut-offs. If the amount allocated to GO applicants is less than the budget for that cut-off, remaining available budget will be allocated to the subsequent cut-off. If the amount allocated to GO ap...
If the jury recommends funding, can they change the grant or investment mix?
Yes. If the proposal receives a GO, the jury may recommend lowering the grant amount if activities above TRL 8 are detected. If the jury finds the level of risk lower than initially identified, they may recommend another combination of components, including su...
What are the 'Excellence' evaluation criteria and which application stages do they apply to?
Excellence criteria include breakthrough and market-creating nature (short and full applications) and timing (short and full). Technological feasibility (based on technology assessed at least in laboratory and relevant environments, at least TRL 5/6) and Intel...
What are the 'Impact' evaluation criteria and which stages do they apply to?
Impact criteria include scale-up potential (short and full) and broader societal, economic, environmental or climate impact (short and full). Market fit and competitor analysis, commercialisation strategy, and key partners are assessed at the full application...
What are the resubmission rules after a face-to-face interview rejection?
If rejected one time but the jury decides your proposal is a potential GO if specific targeted improvements are made, you may be invited to resubmit a revised application directly to one of the next two face-to-face interviews; such a resubmission is permitted...
What are the team, implementation and risk criteria and their applicable stages?
Team capability and motivation are assessed at both short and full stages. Milestones, risk level of the investment, and risk mitigation measures are assessed at the full application stage only. Small mid-caps are expected to provide documentary evidence that...
What evidence must small mid-cap applicants provide regarding investment risk?
Small mid-caps will be expected to provide documentary evidence that their bank has refused the financing needed for the project when assessing the risk level of the investment.
What happens at the face-to-face interview with the EIC jury?
Jury members have prior access to your short and full application, the evaluation results and AI-generated analyses. Based on the interview and overall assessment they will recommend your proposal for funding (GO) or not (NO GO) and may make recommendations on...
What is a Seal of Excellence and when is it awarded?
A Seal of Excellence may be awarded when a proposal fully meets the excellence and impact criteria but has not fully demonstrated the need for Union support. Seals of Excellence are only awarded if you have given consent to share data about your application wi...
What minimum TRL is expected for technological feasibility at full application?
Technological feasibility should be based on a technology that has been adequately assessed at least in a laboratory environment and relevant environments, to characterise potential and assess risk, at least TRL 5/6.
What outcomes can the jury recommend if the proposal receives a NO GO?
If NO GO, the jury will recommend whether the proposal has potential to be a GO with specific targeted improvements (allowing one resubmission to the next two interviews), whether it fully meets excellence and impact but not the need for Union support (possibl...
Will evaluators and jury use analyses generated by automated tools?
Yes. Remote evaluators and jury members will have access to analyses generated by the EIC artificial intelligence-based IT platform (for example on scientific publications, patents and financial metrics). In certain cases the jury may also have the independent...
Are sacrificial agents allowed in solar-to-X proposals and which products are targeted?
The use of sacrificial agents must be avoided, and the desired product must go beyond hydrogen and carbon monoxide.