Library FAQ
What are the essential "gatekeeper" characteristics for EIC Pathfinder Open proposals?
A convincing long-term vision of a radically new technology, a concrete novel and ambitious science-towards-technology breakthrough, and a high-risk/high-gain research approach with concrete and plausible objectives.
What funding and additional support does EIC Pathfinder Open provide?
An indicative budget of EUR 136 million; grants for Research and Innovation Actions with a funding rate of 100% of eligible costs; the EIC considers requests up to EUR 3 million as appropriate (larger amounts may be justified); successful applicants receive ta...
What is a Seal of Excellence?
A quality label awarded to proposals that exceeded evaluation thresholds but were not funded by the EIC, providing access to BAS and facilitating funding from other sources; the grant component is exempted from State Aid notification under GBER.
What is EIC Pathfinder Open?
A call open to proposals in any field without predefined thematic priorities, supporting early-stage development (approximately TRL 1–4) of high-risk/high-gain science-towards-technology breakthrough research.
What is the aim of the EIC-EIT collaboration?
To progressively increase collaboration and synergies with the EIT and its KICs to strengthen the European Innovation Ecosystem and facilitate access to services for European innovators.
What is the EIC Community platform?
A virtual platform available to all EIC Awardees and Seals of Excellence that links to Business Acceleration Services and enables discussions, exchanges and matchmaking.
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 and is managed by an external alternative investment fund manager (the EIC Fund Manager).
What is the EIC Marketplace?
An EIC-dedicated space supported by the Horizon Results Platform where results from EIC Pathfinder and Transition projects will be made available to cross-fertilise activities; expected to become available during 2024.
What is the Fast Track process by EIT KICs?
A process that allows companies selected by EIT KICs to enter the EIC Accelerator evaluation at the second stage; it will continue in 2024.
What is the Next Generation Talents (innovation intern) scheme?
A scheme due to launch in 2024 allowing EIT Label Masters and Doctoral programmes, EIT Alumni and EIT Jumpstarter beneficiaries to undertake secondments in EIC and EIT supported startups and SMEs.
What is the objective of the EIC Pathfinder?
To develop the scientific basis for breakthrough technologies by supporting the earliest stages of scientific, technological or deep-tech research and development.
What is the role of the EIC Board?
The EIC Board oversees EIC strategy and implementation and provides advice on EIC Work Programmes; it comprises 20 leading innovators and the EIC President and is appointed by the European Commission.
What is the STEP proposal and how could it affect the EIC?
The Commission proposed a Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) that includes an increased EIC budget to enable larger investments (above EUR 15 million) through the EIC Fund; the Work Programme would be amended if the proposal is adopted.
What role does the European Investment Bank (EIB) play with the EIC Fund?
The EIB supports the EIC Fund as Investment Advisor and performs due diligence to support the EIC Fund Manager's investment and divestment decisions.
Which agency implements EIC activities under Horizon Europe?
The European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) implements Horizon Europe EIC activities, except for the EIC Fund.
Who are EIC Ecosystem Partners?
Organisations selected to provide EIC Business Acceleration Services or other support, such as investors, mentors, innovation agencies, accelerators, KICs, Enterprise Europe Network members and the European IP Helpdesk.
Who can apply to EIC Pathfinder Open?
Collaborative research consortia coordinated by a coordinator and including at least three independent legal entities established in different countries: at least one in a Member State and two other independents each in different Member States or Associated Co...
How can awardees access EIC Business Acceleration Services (BAS)?
EIC BAS services are available through the EIC Community platform, a virtual meeting place where awardees can connect, share experiences and form business partnerships.
How does the EIC classify its projects by technology?
Projects are mapped to a taxonomy of 11 primary categories and up to 15 secondaries; each project is assigned a single primary and at least one secondary from the same category and up to three from others.
How does the EIC collaborate with the First Movers Coalition?
Through a strategic collaboration on Innovation Procurement to leverage the purchasing power of global companies and scale next-generation technologies needed for decarbonizing heavy-emitting sectors.
How does the EIC support women innovators?
By prioritising women CEOs for Accelerator interviews, running dedicated initiatives like Women TechEU and a Women Leadership Programme, awarding the annual EU Prize for Women Innovators, and tracking gender participation in programmes.
How has the Co-Investment Support Programme helped companies?
By reviewing pitch material, organising investor meetings, connecting founders with interested investors, and facilitating investments such as Hoba Therapeutics’ Series A first close.
How many EIC Transition projects have been funded under Horizon Europe?
140 projects have been funded to date under Horizon Europe, with a majority involving a commercial partner.
What are Ecosystem Partnerships?
Links that connect beneficiaries to incubation, acceleration, growth and scale-up services, providing sector insights, business development, networking and market knowledge from leading ecosystem players.