Library FAQ
What is the Fast Track scheme for the EIC Accelerator and who is eligible in 2026?
The Fast Track scheme allows projects from existing Horizon Europe or Horizon 2020 projects to be reviewed by a responsible granting authority or national funding body (using award criteria equivalent to the EIC short stage and an independent review within the...
What is the form of grant and the main funding rates under Horizon Europe?
Grant parameters are fixed in the grant agreement. For Horizon Europe funding rates: Research and Innovation Action 100%; Innovation Action 70% (100% for non-profit legal entities); Coordination and Support Action 100%; Innovation and Market Deployment 70% (10...
What is the indicative timetable for evaluation results and grant signature?
Information on the outcome of the evaluation is around 5 months from the submission deadline; indicative date for signing grant agreements is around 8 months from the submission deadline, unless otherwise stated in specific call/topic conditions.
What is the liability regime for recoveries?
Liability follows individual financial responsibility: each beneficiary is liable only for their own debt and those of affiliated entities, if any.
What is the STEP Seal and when may a project receive it?
If foreseen in specific call/topic conditions, positively assessed proposals that meet minimum quality requirements and contribute to STEP objectives may be awarded a STEP Seal; project information may be displayed in the STEP Portal upon agreement to enhance...
What special provisions apply in case of a public emergency regarding exploitation and open science?
If requested by the Agency, beneficiaries may have to grant non-exclusive licences to results for a limited period and on fair and reasonable conditions to entities needing them to address the public emergency; this can apply up to 4 years after the action. Fo...
When are certificates on financial statements required?
Depending on the grant size and beneficiary type, beneficiaries may be required to submit a certificate on the financial statements; the thresholds are fixed in the grant agreement (Data Sheet and Article 24).
Where can I find an up-to-date list of Horizon Europe participating countries and low- and middle-income countries?
See the Horizon Europe List of Participating Countries on the Portal (the Work Programme provides the Portal link for up-to-date information).
Are energy vectors based on electrification and hydrogen in scope?
No. Energy vectors based on electrification and hydrogen fall outside the scope of this Challenge call but can be supported through the Open calls. Digital tools for charging and capacity management are in scope.
Are grants available under the STEP Scale Up call?
No. Support is provided as equity-only investments managed by the EIC Fund; applicants will not receive a grant component.
How do you apply and what documents are required for STEP Scale Up?
Apply anytime via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. The proposal includes a full business plan (max 50 pages), a pitch deck (max 15 pages), a pre-commitment from a qualified investor, an ownership control declaration, and interviews with an EIC Jury.
What are Business Acceleration Services (BAS) and what do they provide?
BAS are tailored services for EIC Awardees providing business coaching, advice, networking to find partners and co-investors, access to testing/scaleup facilities, and other support procured via the EIC Service Catalogue to help bring innovations to market and...
What are the eligibility requirements for applicants to STEP Scale Up?
A single company classified as an SME or small mid-cap (up to 499 employees) established in an EU Member State or Associated Country; a holding company is allowed if established in a Member State or Associated Country. An investor may submit a proposal on beha...
What funding can a company request under STEP Scale Up and what is the call's budget?
Applicants may request equity investments from EUR 10 million to EUR 30 million. The indicative budget for 2025 is EUR 300 million, expected to rise to EUR 900 million for 2025–2027.
What investment leverage is expected from STEP Scale Up applicants?
Applicants should co-invest in a funding round aiming to raise at least three to five times the amount of the requested EIC contribution, and the pre-commitment must represent at least 20% of the total target funding round.
What is the aim of the Breakthrough innovations for future mobility Challenge?
To support companies developing cost-effective and scalable deep tech breakthroughs that reduce mobility-related emissions across manufacture to use, and improve transport system efficiency via digital tools.
What is the EIC STEP Scale Up call?
A pilot call under the STEP Regulation providing significant equity investments to scale up companies commercialising strategic technologies in digital deep tech, cleantech or biotech, addressing a market gap in deep tech scale-up financing.
What is the evaluation process and timeline for STEP Scale Up applications?
Evaluations occur at regular intervals (at least quarterly). If eligible, applicants are invited to a jury interview typically within ~4–6 weeks from the start of evaluation; interview result is provided within ~2 weeks. Successful applicants undergo ownership...
What is the indicative budget for the Breakthrough innovations for future mobility Challenge?
EUR 50 million.
What outcomes and impacts are expected from this Challenge?
Increase competitiveness and economic autonomy of EU companies across the mobility value chain; support scaling of technologies that materially reduce mobility emissions with quantified impact; improve accessibility, safety, security, connectivity, flexibility...
What outcomes can the EIC Jury recommend after the interview?
GO and Sovereignty (STEP) Seal: recommended for potential equity investment and awarded STEP Seal with BAS access; NO GO and Sovereignty (STEP) Seal: meets criteria but not funded due to budget, still awarded STEP Seal and BAS access; NO GO: does not meet crit...
What ownership and control conditions apply to STEP Scale Up recipients?
Recipients must not be directly or indirectly controlled by a non-associated third country or by a legal entity established in a non-associated third country. Specific safeguards may also be introduced in the investment agreement.
What pre-commitment is required to apply to the STEP Scale Up call?
A pre-commitment from a qualified investor (per the template on the EIC website) representing at least 20% of the total target funding round.
What sustainability frameworks must projects consider?
Projects must take into account the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework, including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and circularity approaches.