Library FAQ
What measures has the EIC introduced to support women innovators?
Measures include ensuring at least 25% of best applicants invited to interviews are women-led (since May 2020), gender parity among expert evaluators and juries, women leadership programmes in Business Acceleration Services, and monitoring gender balance as an...
What ownership stakes does the EIC Fund generally expect to take?
The EIC Fund generally expects ownership stakes in supported companies of around 10% to 25%.
What short-, medium- and long-term KPIs are used by the EIC?
Short-term (year 1+): SDG contributions, market capital multiple (min 3x), share of women among target groups. Medium-term (year 3+): share of disruptive companies, number of scaleups and turnover, Net Promoter Score. Long-term (year 5+): Green Deal impact ind...
Who advises and manages the EIC Fund's ownership stakes?
The European Investment Bank acts as advisor to the EIC Fund and manages the ownership stakes of the European Commission.
Who is Mariya Gabriel in relation to the EIC report?
Mariya Gabriel is the Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth and authored the introductory statement in the report.
How are proposals evaluated across EIC schemes?
Evaluation is tailored by scheme: Pathfinder uses peer review scoring and ranking; Transition uses remote scoring then interviews with GO/NO GO for top ranked; Accelerator and STEP use remote scoring and interview-based binary GO/NO GO for top-ranked candidate...
How does the EIC manage projects and portfolios?
EIC Programme Managers proactively manage portfolios, use milestones and independent expert reviews to assess progress, may continue support or request amendments, suspend/terminate projects failing milestones, and include projects in thematic or Challenge por...
How is the Accelerator process organised in 2026 and what is the indicative budget?
Continuous submission with evaluation in batches (07/01/2026; 04/03/2026; 06/05/2026; 08/07/2026; 02/09/2026; 04/11/2026). Indicative budget: EUR 414 million (plus EUR 220 million for challenge-related budgets).
What are key Pathfinder deadlines and indicative budget for 2026?
Deadlines: 12/05/2026 (Open); Challenge cut-off 28/10/2026. Indicative budget: EUR 166 million (Open) and EUR 96 million (Challenges).
What are STEP Scale Up 2026 timelines, target areas and budget?
One batch per quarter: 11/02/2026; 06/05/2026; 09/09/2026; 25/11/2026. Targets include digital, clean/resource-efficient/net-zero technologies and biotechnologies. Indicative budget: EUR 300 million.
What are the EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges?
Pilot two-stage calls to solve demand-driven societal or technological problems: first-stage grants up to EUR 0.3m to validate solutions (starting TRL4), then second-stage grants up to EUR 2.5m (aiming TRL6/7) to develop and user test selected solutions.
What are the EIC policies on open access and intellectual property?
Pathfinder requires open access to scientific publications and promotes uptake of results. Accelerator IP rules are in contracts/investment agreements. Pathfinder and Transition projects may be asked to share results within EIC Portfolios under non-disclosure....
What are the EIC's strategic goals?
Six goals: be investor of choice; crowd in EUR 30-50bn into deep tech; pull through high-risk critical technologies; increase European unicorns/scale-ups; catalyse impacts from public research; and achieve operational excellence.
What does the EIC Transition support and who can apply?
Validation and demonstration of technologies in application-relevant environments and business readiness. Single applicants (SMEs, spin-offs, start-ups, research organisations, universities) or small consortia (2–5 entities). Grants up to EUR 2.5 million.
What economic security safeguards apply to participation and investments?
Eligibility restrictions can bar entities directly or indirectly controlled by non-eligible third countries from participating as beneficiaries in Accelerator grant-only actions where justified; investment agreements include economic security safeguards for Ac...
What is the EIC Pathfinder call for and who can apply?
Advanced research to validate scientific basis of breakthrough technologies. Open call: only consortia; Challenges call: smaller consortia or single applicants and larger consortia. Grants up to EUR 4 million (higher if justified).
What is the EIC STEP Scale Up call and who can apply?
Provides large investments to scale-up strategic technologies for Europe. Single startups and SMEs, small mid-caps, and investors on behalf of eligible companies may apply. Investment component EUR 10–30 million.
What is the purpose of the EIC Work Programme 2026?
To set out how the EIC will allocate over EUR 1.424 billion in 2026, define calls for applications, types of support, how to apply and how selection decisions are taken.
What is the Transition 2026 deadline and budget?
Deadline: 16/09/2026. Indicative budget: EUR 100 million.
What types of support does the EIC offer?
Grants, equity investments via the EIC Fund, prizes and Business Acceleration Services (coaching, mentoring, expertise and ecosystem access).
Where can potential applicants find more information and apply?
More information is on the EIC website; support is available via National Contact Points and the Enterprise Europe Network; applications are submitted through the Funding & Tenders Portal (also accessible via the EIC website).
Which main funding schemes are included in the 2026 Work Programme?
EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition, EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges, EIC Accelerator, and EIC STEP Scale Up, plus prizes and supporting actions.
Who can apply to Advanced Innovation Challenges and what is the 2026 budget?
Single applicants (SMEs, spin-offs, start-ups, research organisations, universities) or small consortia (2–3 entities). Indicative budget: EUR 6 million in 2026 (EUR 25 million in 2027). Deadlines include 26/02/2026 and 18/06/2027 for the second stage.
Who is eligible for the EIC Accelerator and what funding does it provide?
Single start-ups and SMEs (including spin-offs), individuals intending to launch a start-up/SME and, in some cases, small mid-caps (<499 employees). Grant component up to EUR 2.5 million; investment component EUR 1–10 million; grant-only or investment-only...