Library FAQ
What are the EIC’s policies on open access and intellectual property?
EIC Pathfinder applies open access to scientific publications. Pathfinder and Transition projects may be requested to share information within EIC Portfolios under non‑disclosure obligations, while retaining rights to exploit results. If universities/research...
What are the Six Strategic Goals of the EIC?
1) Be the investor of choice for visionary ideas; 2) Crowd in EUR 30–50 billion into European deep tech; 3) Pull through high‑risk technologies in critical areas and open strategic autonomy; 4) Increase European unicorns and scale ups; 5) Catalyse innovation i...
What does the lump sum cost model introduced in 2024 do?
It removes financial reporting requirements for beneficiaries in most EIC main calls.
What economic security measures are included in the 2024 Work Programme?
Eligibility exclusions in duly justified cases for entities controlled by non‑associated third countries for certain AI and quantum Accelerator Challenges; inclusion of economic security safeguards in EIC Fund investment agreements for four priority technology...
What is meant by proactive project and portfolio management at the EIC?
EIC Programme Managers periodically review project milestones with independent experts, may continue support, request amendments, deploy additional Business Acceleration Services, or suspend/terminate projects; they may also identify projects for Fast Track to...
What is the purpose of the EIC Work Programme 2024?
It sets out how the EIC will allocate its funding of over EUR 1.2 billion in 2024, defines the calls for applications, the types of support available, how to apply and how selection decisions are taken.
What main changes were introduced in the 2024 Work Programme compared to 2023?
Introduction of a lump sum cost model in most main calls (except Pathfinder Open), reinforced economic security measures, reduced budgets, and scheme‑specific changes to evaluation and eligibility rules.
What main funding schemes are included in the 2024 Work Programme?
EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition and EIC Accelerator, complemented by innovation prizes, Business Acceleration Services and other supporting actions.
What scheme‑specific changes apply to the EIC Accelerator in 2024?
There is no longer a “grant first” model; beneficiaries of blended finance may start with grant‑only funding and receive investment later; short application passage requires 3 out of 4 GO/NO‑GO votes by expert evaluators; consensus meetings introduced for dive...
What scheme‑specific changes apply to the EIC Pathfinder in 2024?
The rebuttal pilot has been removed and specific rules on Intellectual Property have been updated following EIC Board recommendations.
What scheme‑specific changes apply to the EIC Transition in 2024?
There are no Challenge topics; eligibility for Transition Open is extended to certain results from Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe Pillar II projects that meet the call criteria; and Transition Open has a single deadline.
What types of support does the EIC provide?
Grants, investments through the EIC Fund, prizes and Business Acceleration Services (including access to coaching and mentoring, expertise and ecosystem partners).
Where can potential applicants get support and advice?
Support and advice are available through National Contact Points in each EU Member State and Associated Country and through the Enterprise Europe Network.
Who can apply to the EIC Accelerator in 2024 and what funding is available?
Single start‑ups and SMEs (including spin‑offs), individuals intending to launch a start‑up/SME and in exceptional cases small mid‑caps (<499 employees). Grant component below EUR 2.5 million and investment component EUR 0.5–15 million. Short applications a...
Who can apply to the EIC Pathfinder in 2024 and what funding is available?
Pathfinder Open: only consortia can apply with grants up to EUR 3 million (Open deadline 7 March 2024, indicative budget EUR 136 million). Pathfinder Challenges: smaller consortia or single applicants as well as larger consortia, grants up to EUR 4 million (Ch...
Who can apply to the EIC Transition in 2024 and what funding is available?
Single applicants (SMEs, spin‑offs, start‑ups, research organisations, universities) or small consortia (2–5 eligible entities). Grants up to EUR 2.5 million to validate and demonstrate technology and develop business readiness. Deadline 18 September 2024, ind...
Who should read the European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2024?
Innovative researchers, startups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), founders and other organisations and individuals interested in innovation and seeking EIC funding or support.
Are the signals presented intended as funding recommendations or predictive priorities?
No. The list is a curated snapshot within the report’s data scope and should not be interpreted as predictive indicators of forthcoming priorities or funding recommendations.
How are the signals organised in the report?
Signals are organised into three thematic chapters aligned with the EIC deep‑tech taxonomy: Digital & Space Technologies; Clean & Resource‑Efficient Technologies; and Biotechnologies & Health.
How could 2D memory and memristor technologies matter for Europe’s resilience and autonomy?
They may improve energy efficiency, functional density and heterogeneous integration at advanced nodes, supporting technology sovereignty, reduced strategic dependencies and key sectors such as automotive and industrial IoT.
How could quantum repeaters contribute to Europe’s security and autonomy?
They could enable end‑to‑end entanglement‑based secure communication beyond trusted‑node architectures, supporting sovereign control over secure communication layers and strengthening resilience of governmental and critical infrastructure communications.
How could scalable MXene manufacturing affect Europe’s strategic position?
It could enable high‑performance, lightweight electromagnetic shielding and other applications within European industrial ecosystems, reducing dependencies on rare‑earth‑intensive materials and strengthening advanced materials value chains.
How does the EIC define a 'signal' in this context?
A signal is an early observable indication of an emerging technological development that may evolve into a defined trajectory if further validated or combined with complementary advances.
How does the EIC engage across the innovation lifecycle?
The EIC supports the full lifecycle from early scientific developments and proof of concept to validation, market deployment and scale‑up via grants, investments and tailored acceleration services.