Library FAQ
What are the main deadlines and indicative budgets for 2025 calls?
Pathfinder open deadline 21 May 2025 (indicative EUR 142M) with a Challenge cut-off 29 Oct 2025 (EUR 120M). Transition deadline 17 Sep 2025 (EUR 98M). Accelerator: short applications anytime; full applications 12 Mar 2025 and 1 Oct 2025 (indicative EUR 384M; C...
What are the main funding schemes in the 2025 Work Programme?
Four main schemes: EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition, EIC Accelerator, and the EIC STEP Scale Up call. These are complemented by Business Acceleration Services, prizes and other supporting actions.
What economic security measures are included in the Work Programme?
Provisions include restrictions (where necessary and justified) on participation by entities directly or indirectly controlled by non-eligible third countries, investment safeguards in EIC Fund agreements for certain companies and technology areas, and require...
What is the EIC STEP Scale Up call and who can apply?
A pilot call providing larger investments to scale strategic technologies for Europe. Single startups, SMEs, small mid-caps and investors on behalf of eligible companies can apply for investment components of EUR 10 up to 30 million; applications any time (con...
What is the Seal of Excellence change in 2025?
Seal of Excellence will be awarded to all proposals that meet evaluation thresholds but are not funded due to lack of budget. For consortia, the seal is awarded to the coordinator and lists participating legal entities.
What strategic goals guide the EIC?
Six goals: be investor of choice for visionary ideas; crowd in EUR 30–50 billion into deep tech; pull through high-risk technologies in critical areas; increase European unicorns and scale-ups; catalyse innovation impacts from public research; and achieve oper...
Who can apply to the EIC Accelerator and what funding does it offer?
Single start-ups and SMEs (including spin-offs), individuals intending to launch a start-up/SME and in some cases small mid-caps (fewer than 499 employees). A grant component below EUR 2.5 million for TRL 6–8 activities and an investment component of EUR 0.5 u...
Who can apply to the EIC Pathfinder and what support does it provide?
Pathfinder Open: only consortia can apply. Pathfinder Challenges: smaller consortia (at least two eligible entities), single applicants or larger consortia can apply. Grants up to EUR 3 million (Open) or up to EUR 4 million (Challenges), starting from early TR...
Who can apply to the EIC Transition and what is the funding purpose and TRL range?
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/demonstrate technology in application-relevant environments, starting at TRL 3/4 and aimin...
Who should read the EIC Work Programme 2025?
Innovative researchers, startups, SMEs, scale-up companies, funders and organisations or individuals interested in EIC funding and support should read the document to understand funding allocations, calls, eligibility and application processes.
How do applicants submit applications to the EIC?
Applications are made through the EU Funding and Tender Opportunities portal, which can be accessed via the EIC website.
How is proposal evaluation tailored across the EIC schemes?
Pathfinder uses peer review with weighted criteria and thresholds; Transition is evaluated remotely then top ranked applicants face an interview with binary GO/NO GO scoring; Accelerator uses remote evaluation and interviews with binary GO/NO GO scoring, with...
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).