Library FAQ
What is the Next Generation Innovation Talents scheme?
The scheme supports EU-funded researchers from EIC, ERC, EIT and MSCA to carry out an innovation internship in a startup funded by the EIC or EIT, aiming to give researchers direct experience of innovation and entrepreneurship while allowing startups to access...
What is the outlook for the EIC Work Programme 2026?
The 2026 Work Programme will be prepared following advice from the EIC Board; main calls on Pathfinder, Transition and Accelerator are envisaged to continue without major changes; the STEP Scale Up call experience will be assessed; challenges will be identifie...
What is the role and composition of the EIC Board?
The EIC Board oversees the strategy and implementation of EIC activities and advises on Work Programmes; it comprises 20 leading innovators and researchers plus a full-time President, is appointed by the European Commission following an open call, and its memb...
What may happen if an entity breaches the EIC's investment-related obligations?
A breach of these obligations may lead to the interruption of the equity investment process.
Which EU rules and procedures does the EIC apply regarding money laundering, terrorism financing and tax-related risks?
The EIC applies the EU rules, policies and procedures addressing money laundering, terrorism financing, tax avoidance, tax fraud and tax evasion contained in Article 158(2)(a) of the Financial Regulation, and complies with the related prohibitions in Article 1...
Which list of jurisdictions does the EIC apply for EIC Accelerator investments regarding tax purposes?
The EIC applies the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes issued by the Council (OJ C 438, 19.12.2017, p. 5) in respect of EIC Accelerator investments.
Who are considered EIC Awardees or EIC recipients?
EIC Awardees or recipients are beneficiaries identified in EIC Grant agreements (Pathfinder, Transition and Accelerator), investees for EIC Accelerator (including EIC STEP Scale-up Call), and winners of EIC Prizes.
Who are EIC business coaches?
EIC business coaches are independent external experts with entrepreneurial and investment backgrounds who provide business development insights and guidance to EIC Awardees and applicants as part of BAS.
Can EIC Pathfinder and EIC Transition projects be asked to share their results?
Yes. EIC Programme Managers may request awardees to actively share information about results (including preliminary findings) within their EIC Portfolio and with other relevant EIC projects and parties, as detailed in Annex 6.
Do inventors of EIC Pathfinder or Transition results retain access and support for further development?
Yes. Inventors will be entrusted with appropriate access for further development and exploitation and are eligible for additional financial support and services offered by the EIC, as detailed in Annex 6.
How are investment decisions made for companies selected via the EIC Accelerator?
The EIC Fund Manager makes investment and divestment decisions by following a due diligence performed by the EIB according to the EIC Investment Guidelines; the manager oversees the invested portfolio supported by the EIB and in close coordination with grant s...
How is confidentiality managed when EIC Awardees share results?
Sharing is subject to non-disclosure obligations regarding confidential results, and EIC Awardees retain the right on a case-by-case basis to fully disclose or not their intellectual property.
How will EIC Challenges be selected going forward?
Selection of EIC Challenges will continue to react to current technological, market and policy developments, including areas identified by the EIC Emerging Technologies report.
What are EIC Business Acceleration Services (BAS) and EIC Ecosystem Partners?
EIC BAS are externally contracted services to support commercialisation and scaling of EIC innovations, including access to coaches and training (through EIC Ecosystem Partners) and access to global partners (corporates, investors, procurers, distributors, cli...
What are the roles of EIC Programme Managers, Project Officers and Tech to Market Advisers?
EIC Programme Managers are high-level experts who manage one or more EIC Portfolios and develop visions for breakthrough technologies; they are supported by EIC Project Officers (appointed to manage an action) and EIC Tech to Market Advisers, who assist primar...
What is the budget outlook after this Work Programme?
This Work Programme is the last to include a financial contribution from the Next Generation EU budget; consequently the annual budget for future EIC Work Programmes will be lower, while aiming to ensure a balance between Open and Challenge funding.
What is the EIC-EIT collaboration and what does the Memorandum of Understanding cover?
The EIC and the EIT agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (8 January 2021) to strengthen collaboration, covering areas such as the FastTrack process by EIT KICs, integration of KIC advisory services into EIC BAS, joint communication materials, data sharing, and...
What is the EIC Forum?
The EIC Forum brings different innovation drivers and governance levels together to discuss relevant policy issues openly and informally; its recommendations and activities aim to support and complement initiatives in Horizon Europe.
What is the EIC Fund and who manages it?
The EIC Fund is an alternative investment fund established to invest in companies selected through EIC Accelerator calls. An external alternative investment fund manager (the EIC Fund Manager) manages the Fund, and the European Investment Bank (EIB) supports t...
What is the EIC Innospace Platform, EIC Community Platform and EIC Marketplace?
The EIC Innospace Platform is a virtual platform for interactions among innovators, open from 2023, including the EIC Space to support EIC operations, the current EIC Community Platform and the EIC Accelerator AI platform. The EIC Community Platform (to become...
What is the objective and scope of the EIC Pathfinder Open call and what are its gatekeepers?
EIC Pathfinder Open aims to develop the scientific basis for breakthrough technologies by supporting earliest-stage research (typically low TRLs 1-4) for high-risk/high-gain, science-towards-technology breakthrough research. Gatekeepers: a convincing long-term...
What is the role and composition of the EIC Board?
The EIC Board oversees strategy and implementation of EIC activities, provides advice on Work Programmes, comprises 20 leading innovators and innovative researchers including the EIC President, and is appointed by the European Commission following an open call...
What open access provisions apply to EIC Pathfinder publications?
Provisions will be applied to ensure open access to scientific publications and promote the uptake of research results (see Annex 2 on open science).
Which agency implements Horizon Europe EIC activities?
The European Innovation Council and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Executive Agency (EISMEA) is the Agency entrusted by the European Commission with implementation of Horizon Europe EIC activities.