Library FAQ
Who are EIC Awardees and beneficiaries?
EIC Awardees are the consortia, institutions, natural persons and/or companies named in an EIC grant agreement (Pathfinder, Transition) or contract/investment agreement (Accelerator), as well as winners of EIC Prizes. The legal entities receiving support in ag...
Will EIC activities change in future Work Programmes?
Yes. The EIC is set up as an agile organisation and activities are expected to evolve in each annual Work Programme based on advice from the EIC Board, implementation experience and innovation dynamics.
Will the main provisions of EIC Open calls change significantly?
The main provisions are expected to remain relatively stable to provide predictability for applicants, while incorporating necessary improvements.
How could quantum technologies enable energy-efficient secure communication?
Quantum reservoir computing combined with integrated photonic platforms could deliver robust, power-efficient quantum communication and sensing via low-footprint, alignment-free, mass-manufacturable quantum nodes.
How is the EIC supporting quantum technology development in Europe?
The EIC funds projects across maturity stages, complements the European Quantum Flagship, supports startups via the Accelerator and Fund to attract private investment, and targets areas such as quantum metrology, sensors, software, hybrid computing, and novel...
What agri-food innovations are highlighted for next-generation aquaculture?
Developments focus on algae-based, fish and shellfish production in seas and oceans, and microalgae-based marine biotechnology for products ranging from nutraceuticals to materials.
What alternatives to mineral fertilisers are described?
Alternatives include microbial-origin fertilisers, direct green conversion of CO2 and NOx into fertilisers, digital twins for optimized fertiliser use, and advanced sensing and robotics for soil protection and restoration.
What are next-generation Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) and some example approaches?
Next-generation PICs are compact, high-performance, low-cost photonic devices for sensing and computing; approaches include integrated optical circulators, dual comb spectrometers for high-resolution spectroscopy, and nanoelectromechanical programmable silicon...
What are the proposed green concepts for active space debris removal (ADR)?
Promising green, propellant-less ADR concepts include electrodynamic tethers, space-based lasers, and solar sails, which avoid chemical propellants and offer mass/cost savings and extended lifetimes.
What biomimetic and material innovations are emerging in construction?
Biomimetic design using generative computational material computation enables tailored, efficient structures; carbon-neutral materials like sustainably sourced timber and carbon-negative materials such as carbon-sequestering concrete are also emerging, along w...
What challenges do current qubits face and what novel qubit approaches are proposed?
Qubits suffer from short coherence times that hamper error correction; proposed approaches include hybrid superconductor–semiconductor platforms and encoding information in topologically protected systems to achieve fault-tolerant computation.
What developments aim to enable room-temperature quantum devices?
Atomically Precise graphene nanoRibbons (APRs) are highlighted for exhibiting topological quantum phases and spin polarization controlled by topology and edge structure, offering a route toward room-temperature quantum platforms.
What energy storage and harvesting technologies are mentioned?
Technologies include metal-air and flow batteries using EU-available materials, phase-change materials for thermal storage, and new thermoelectric materials (e.g., multinary metal halides, 2D topological materials, xenes, quantum-confined nanomaterials) for wa...
What is precision fermentation used for in agri-food?
Precision fermentation produces high-value food, feed, and non-edible materials from low-quality inputs and food waste, with examples including fermenting mushroom roots and converting agricultural residues into biopolymers.
What is the EU's 'Fit for 55' objective mentioned under cleantech?
The 'Fit for 55' package aims to reduce EU emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
What long-term in-space approaches are expected for dealing with space debris?
In-space recycling and reuse of spacecraft components are expected to emerge, enabling in-space manufacturing and circular utilisation for future missions.
What novel approaches are mentioned for low-cost high-density memory and molecular computing?
The text mentions colloidal nanoparticles, nanocapillary arrays for high-density memory, and chemical reservoir computing based on purely molecular information processing systems.
What novel breeding technologies are being developed for climate-resilient crops?
Solutions include breeds (e.g., tomato and rapeseed) that absorb more CO2 and AI-assisted photosynthesis regulation to increase yields and adapt to heat and drought.
What renewable fuels and chemicals approaches are highlighted?
Approaches include biotechnology-driven solar conversion to fuels and chemicals using cyanobacteria and microalgae, direct carbon capture integrated with conversion to produce fuels/chemicals, and full circularity by turning waste streams into resources.
What sensor innovations are suggested for harsh environments?
Improvements include underwater optical wireless communication using blue optical phased arrays and coherent receivers, and radiation detection leveraging AI and inorganic nanocrystals for high-speed, accurate measurement and localization.
What sustainability initiatives are being pursued for microelectronics?
Initiatives include biomolecular electronics, hybrid organic interfaces, DNA–carbon nanotube digital electronics, novel manufacturing like 5D NanoPrinting, material/architecture innovations (e.g., topological channels), and efforts on interconnections, packagi...
Why is sustainability in electronic devices and components considered urgent?
Enhancing performance while making devices truly sustainable is urgent because it requires novel, affordable solutions for computing and storing information to reduce environmental impact across device lifecycles.
How does the Seal of Excellence relate to State Aid rules?
The grant component of projects awarded a Seal of Excellence is exempted under the General Block Exemption Regulation from State Aid notification requirements under the same funding rates as the EIC; the investment component may be supported by other funders,...
How will the EIC develop partnerships with other initiatives?
The EIC will aim to develop partnerships with other EU and national initiatives that support disruptive technologies and breakthrough innovation, and may provide financial support through EIC work programmes for partner organisations to seek out and support in...