Library FAQ
Who should read the EIC Work Programme 2026?
Innovative researchers, startups, SMEs, scale-ups, funders and other organisations or individuals interested in EIC funding and support, to understand objectives, eligibility and application processes.
Are EIC calls thematic or open?
The majority of funding is awarded through open calls with no predefined thematic priorities ('EIC Open') designed to support technologies and innovations across fields.
Does the Work Programme address open access and intellectual property rights?
Yes, the Work Programme includes a policy on open access and intellectual property rights (referenced but details not provided in this chunk).
How are proposals evaluated across the different EIC schemes?
Evaluation is tailored by scheme: Pathfinder uses peer review with weighted criteria and thresholds; Transition is remote scoring and ranking with top applicants invited to face-to-face interviews decided by binary GO/NO GO; Accelerator uses remote evaluation...
How does the EIC manage projects after funding is awarded?
EIC Programme Managers proactively manage projects and portfolios: funded projects must define milestones for periodic reviews by independent experts. Based on reviews, support may continue, be amended, or be suspended/terminated. Reviews can trigger access to...
How is the 2023 funding organised and what are linkage measures between schemes?
Funding is organised into Pathfinder, Transition and Accelerator schemes. Linkages include Booster grants to ongoing Pathfinder/Transition projects, a future Marketplace to connect research with entrepreneurs/investors, and a Fast Track to accelerate successfu...
How were the EIC Challenges selected?
Most Challenge areas differ from previous years and many were designed to support broader EU policy objectives (e.g., RePowerEU, Chips Act, food security). The selection methodology and wider areas considered are provided in the EIC Emerging Technologies Repor...
What additional support does the EIC provide besides funding?
All EIC Awardees, and selected applicants, access EIC Business Acceleration Services (BAS) providing expertise, connections to corporates and investors, ecosystem actors, and the EIC also runs prizes and other activities.
What are the main EIC funding schemes?
EIC Pathfinder (advanced research), EIC Transition (transforming research results into innovation opportunities), and EIC Accelerator (support for individual companies to develop and scale up breakthrough innovations).
What are the six strategic goals of the EIC?
1) Be the investor of choice for visionary ideas; 2) Crowd in €30–50 billion into European deep tech; 3) Pull through high-risk technologies in critical areas and open strategic autonomy; 4) Increase the number of European unicorns and scale ups; 5) Catalyse i...
What is the aim of the EIC?
To identify and support breakthrough technologies and game-changing innovations with potential to scale internationally and become market leaders, supporting all stages from research to scaling up start-ups and SMEs.
What is the EIC Work Programme 2023?
The annual legal document prepared following the advice of the EIC Board and adopted by the European Commission that sets out how the European Innovation Council will allocate its funding in 2023 under Horizon Europe.
What is the Innospace Platform and who can access it?
Innospace is a pan-European virtual platform (including the EIC Space subcomponent) to host EIC operations and stimulate the innovation ecosystem by circulating ideas, connecting actors, and linking innovations to funding opportunities; it will be open to all...
What main changes were introduced compared to the 2022 Work Programme?
Key changes include opening Transition eligibility for Challenges to results from European Defence Fund projects; adjustments to Accelerator resubmission conditions and continuation of the pilot allowing investment >€15m when justified; a new approach to Busin...
What pilots and actions support the New European Innovation Agenda in this Work Programme?
Pilots include an internship scheme to bring talent into deep tech start-ups, enhanced support to women innovators (e.g., Fast Track for Women Tech.EU-supported companies and opening the Women Leadership Programme to EIT women-led deep-tech start-ups), a pilot...
Where can I find more information and how do I apply?
More information is on the EIC website (eic.ec.europa.eu). Applicants must apply through the EU Funding and Tender Opportunities portal accessible via the EIC website, which also lists National Contact Points for personalised support.
Which stages of innovation does the EIC support?
Research and development of scientific underpinnings, validation and demonstration of technologies and innovations to meet real-world needs, and development and scaling up of start-ups and SMEs.
Who can apply and what are the indicative budgets and deadlines for the main 2023 calls?
EIC Pathfinder: consortia (at least three entities in three eligible countries) (single applicants/small consortia for Challenges); grants up to €3m (open) or €4m (challenges); deadline 7 March 2023; indicative budget €179.50m (open) and €163.50m (challenges)....
Who provides strategic advice for the EIC Work Programme?
The EIC Board provides strategic advice for the EIC Work Programme.
Who should read this document?
Potential applicants, those interested in the EIC and stakeholders who need the legal annual EIC Work Programme setting out how EIC funding will be allocated for 2023.
How are technologies and sectors to be supported by the EIC assessed?
They must be assessed through an anticipatory lens, starting with a robust analysis of the EIC’s current portfolio of activity.
How does the report define deep tech innovations?
As innovations rooted in cutting-edge science, technology and engineering with potential to deliver transformative solutions addressing major societal challenges and the Green and Digital transitions.
How is EIC funding managed?
High-level domain experts, EIC Programme Managers, develop ambitious proposals for breakthrough technologies and manage one or more EIC portfolios to guide and connect projects and companies.
How many proposals and projects has the EIC attracted and funded under Horizon Europe to date?
The EIC has attracted over 10,000 proposals across its three core programmes and funded over 700 projects.