Library FAQ
What are the objectives of the EIC Plug-In scheme?
Stronger alignment between national and EU innovation support; a more streamlined process to access funding for innovation projects from excellent companies; and identification of strategic companies with innovation projects based on excellent research and imp...
What does the EIC Plug-In scheme aim to support?
Collaboration between national or regional funding bodies providing grants and/or equity to deep tech startups, particularly around review and evaluation of suitable projects and companies for EIC Accelerator.
What portfolio activities can Booster grants support?
Activities like defining common objectives, building synergies within the EIC Portfolio and with external partners (including EIT), engaging strategic partners, (co)-organising events, maximising data sharing, and raising EIC Portfolio visibility.
What types of innovation activities can Booster grants support?
Activities to explore commercialisation pathways, such as defining commercialisation process, market analysis, technology assessment/certification, verification of innovation potential, IP consolidation, FTO, business case development, testing/piloting, start-...
Where will the list of certified national and regional funding bodies be published?
The list will be published on the EIC website.
Who can propose companies for direct access to the EIC Accelerator full proposal stage under the Plug-In?
Eligible national or regional funding bodies with certified programmes may propose a limited number of companies from national and regional programmes.
Who can receive Booster grants?
EIC Awardees, Technology Transfer Offices, EIC Inventors and other third parties linked to eligible Pathfinder or Transition projects, or entities provided with necessary access rights or entrusted with tasks by the concerned awardee.
Who certifies the eligible funding bodies, programmes and project review processes for the Plug-In?
The Commission certifies them with the support of external experts.
Who evaluates Booster grant proposals and how are decisions made?
A mixed evaluation committee composed of an EIC Programme Manager, an external expert from a trained pool, and either an EIC Project Officer or a second external expert will evaluate proposals. The committee gives a GO or NO GO on each award criterion; proposa...
Can EIC Booster grants fund research or activities already planned in the original project?
No. EIC Booster grants do not fund research or activities that were already foreseen in the original project or already funded by other EIC instruments.
Can the Agency impose conditions on dissemination activities proposed by EIC Awardees?
Yes. When approving a plan, the Agency may condition dissemination on prior assessment of innovation potential and prior protection of the result; the cost of protection is eligible. If the Agency disagrees with a dissemination activity, it will assist the Awa...
How are Booster grant proposals evaluated and selected?
The evaluation committee assesses whether the proposal meets each award criterion and gives a GO or NO GO. Proposals receiving at least two GO are selected; those not receiving at least two GO are rejected. A rejected applicant may be invited to resubmit an ad...
How long will it take to receive the final decision on a Booster grant proposal?
The final decision will be motivated and communicated to the applicant within 6 weeks, and the Programme Committee will be informed.
How many EIC Booster grants can be awarded per EIC Pathfinder project?
A maximum of three EIC Booster grants can be awarded for each EIC Pathfinder project; more than three may be awarded only in exceptional and duly justified cases.
How many EIC Booster grants can be awarded per EIC Transition project?
A maximum of one EIC Booster grant can be awarded for each EIC Transition project.
How will implementation of Booster grants change once Financial support to third parties under a CSA is launched?
Once such Financial support to third parties under a CSA is launched, the implementation of Booster grants for Innovation activities will be performed by the CSA beneficiary.
What are EIC Awardees' obligations on exploitation and dissemination planning?
EIC Awardees must report on exploitation and dissemination activities and provide updated plans as agreed, within 30 days upon request from the EIC Programme Manager. The Agency may request updates at any time. Consortium Agreements must address all related IP...
What are EIC Awardees' obligations regarding exploitation of results?
EIC Awardees must use their best efforts to exploit results or have them exploited by third parties, prioritising those in Member States or Associated Countries, including transfer or licensing. The Agency may object to transfers or licensing under conditions...
What are the award criteria for Booster grants supporting activities to explore pathways to commercialisation?
Award criteria are: Excellence — timeliness and pertinence of the activities; Impact — potential of the deep-tech innovation to create new markets or solve pressing societal needs; Quality and efficiency of implementation — expertise, capabilities and motivati...
What are the award criteria for portfolio activities?
Award criteria are: Excellence — contribution of the activity to EIC Portfolio objectives; Impact — timeliness of the activity to maximise its impact; Quality and efficiency of implementation — engagement of EIC Portfolio projects and relevant external partner...
What are the non-disclosure obligations when EIC Awardees receive confidential information from other EIC actions?
They must keep it strictly confidential, not disclose it without prior written consent of the owner, use the same degree of care as for their own confidential information, act in good faith, and not use it for purposes other than assessing opportunities to pro...
What happens after a Booster grant proposal is successful?
Successful applicants are invited for grant agreement preparation, which may include adjustments proposed by the EIC Programme Manager. Following successful grant preparation, the Agency will award the EIC Booster grant as a Coordination and Support Action to...
What is the funding rate and form for EIC Booster grants?
The funding rate is 100% of eligible costs. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising lump sum contributions under Horizon Europe.
What portfolio activities can EIC Booster grants support?
Portfolio activities may include defining common objectives and activities, building synergies within the EIC Portfolio and with outside partners, engaging strategic partners to overcome common challenges, (co)-organising events, maximising data sharing, and r...