Library FAQ
What are EIC Portfolios?
Thematic or challenge-based collections of projects overseen by EIC Programme Managers to foster cooperation, advance ideas, and prepare transition to innovation; projects may be requested to join and participate in portfolio activities.
What are the main changes in the 2022 Work Programme compared to 2021?
Changes include clarified rebuttal timelines for Pathfinder; regular cut-off dates and measures to increase women-led interviews for Transition; and more frequent cut-offs, options to apply for investment above €15 million, and broadened women-led definitions...
What are the three main EIC funding schemes?
EIC Pathfinder (advanced research), EIC Transition (transforming research results into innovation opportunities), and EIC Accelerator (support for companies to develop and scale breakthrough innovations).
What is proactive project and portfolio management in the EIC?
EIC Programme Managers actively manage projects and portfolios by defining milestones, conducting periodic reviews with independent experts, requesting amendments or additional support, and potentially suspending or terminating projects if needed.
What is the main aim of the EIC?
To identify and support breakthrough technologies and game-changing innovations that can scale internationally and become market leaders.
What is the purpose of the EIC Work Programme 2022?
To implement EIC activities in 2022, setting out how funding will be allocated under Horizon Europe and describing schemes, procedures and support measures.
What measures does the 2022 Work Programme include to increase women’s representation?
At least 40% of juries and evaluators will be women (aiming 50%), selection for interviews will aim for strong representation of women-led SMEs, Business Acceleration Services include services for female founders, women representation used as tie-breaker for e...
What medium-term Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) does the EIC aim for?
Targets include supporting impact-oriented companies with over 90% addressing Sustainable Development Goals, crowding in 3–5 times co-investments, bridging research to deployment, and a balanced portfolio with at least 35% of portfolio companies led by women.
What provisions exist on open access and intellectual property for EIC projects?
EIC Pathfinder applies open access to scientific publications; Pathfinder and Transition projects may be requested to share information within portfolios subject to confidentiality, and inventors retain ownership while being entrusted with access for further d...
What support is provided for applicants from widening countries?
National Contact Points and the Enterprise Europe Network offer targeted support; Accelerator applicants receiving a GO on short proposals get three days of coaching; Seal of Excellence holders can access Business Acceleration Services and support to access ot...
Where can potential applicants find more information and apply?
More information is on the EIC website (https://eic.ec.europa.eu/) and applications are made through the EU Funding & Tender Opportunities portal (https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home).
Which stages of innovation does the EIC support?
All stages from early-stage research and development of scientific underpinnings, to validation and demonstration, to development and scaling up of start-ups and SMEs.
Who prepared and adopted this Work Programme?
It was prepared following the advice of the EIC pilot Advisory Board and adopted by the European Commission.
Who should read the European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2022?
Potential applicants and those interested in the EIC, as it is the annual legal document setting out how the EIC will allocate its funding for the year.
Does the report name or single out specific projects or proposals?
No. No specific projects or proposals are mentioned to avoid singling out entities and to protect sensitive or confidential information.
How are the signals aligned with EU policy priorities?
They are linked with the new EIC taxonomy for deep tech and aligned with EU policy priorities such as the New European Innovation Agenda, STEP, the Green Deal Industrial Plan, the Pharmaceutical Strategy, and the European Chips Act.
How many signals are featured in the report?
34 signals were selected for the final report.
How many signals were identified in the initial quantitative phase?
An initial larger set of 260 signals was identified via quantitative methods.
How were the signals identified and selected?
A two-step approach: quantitative identification of an initial set of 260 signals via data mining and scientometric analytics (with JRC support), followed by qualitative review and final selection led by EIC Programme Managers and 32 external experts.
Into which macro-areas are the signals organised?
Signals are organised into three macro-areas: Green; Health and Digital; and Industry and Space.
Should the signals be interpreted as forecasts of future EIC funding priorities?
No. While signals can inform priorities and monitoring, they should not be interpreted as forecasting indicators of upcoming funding decisions, which require further in-depth analysis and benchmarking.
What are plant-based biohybrid sensors?
Sensors that use plants and their metabolic processes as living sensing devices that can self-generate signals (e.g., bioluminescence or colour changes) in response to environmental stimuli for applications in precision agriculture and monitoring.
What data sources and timeframe were used to identify signals?
EIC internal data from submissions at low Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 1-4) between February 2018 and December 2023, including both funded projects and proposals that were not funded.
What does the report mean by 'signals'?
Early observable indications of potential future advancements that could have significant effects if further developed or combined with other signals; useful for anticipating shifts and informing policy.