EIC Accelerator - Short Proposal

The grant aims to support startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries by providing financial support to develop and scale up high-risk, high-impact innovations. This initiative focuses on driving the creation of new markets or transforming existing ones through technological breakthroughs and deep tech innovations.

Stages of the process:

1. Short Proposal

• 5-page proposal + 10-slide pitch + 3-minute video
• Continuously open with a response in 4 to 6 weeks

2. Full proposal 

• Full 20-page proposal with annexes + Coaching by the European Commission
• Evaluation with projects of excellence, impact, risk and implementation
• Results in 8-9 weeks
• Last cut-off of 2025 on October 1st

3. Interview with EIC jury:

• 10-minute pitch + 30-minute Q&A
• Funding decision in 2-3 weeks
   

Note: If you have already received a grant support by the EIC Accelerator, you can apply for an investment by the EIC Fund.

Technology Maturity: The innovation should be at least at TRL 5 (validated in a relevant environment) and aim to progress toward full market deployment (TRL 9).

Innovation Type: Projects must involve high-risk, breakthrough or deep-tech innovations, offering a significant competitive advantage over current solutions.

Market Potential: The project should target new or significantly transformed markets, with strong potential for scale and growth in Europe and globally.

Impact Orientation: The innovation must have the potential to deliver positive societal, environmental, or economic impacts, particularly in areas of strategic interest for the EU.

Commercialization Plan: A clear pathway to market must be demonstrated, including the business model, customer acquisition strategy, and expected time-to-market.

Need for Public Support: Projects must justify why EIC funding is critical, due to market failures, high risk, or long timeframes that deter private investment.

Examples of Admissible Projects

• Biotech Innovation: Development and initial clinical deployment of a monoclonal antibody therapy targeting emerging virus variants.
• Sustainable Industrial Transition: Establishment of a new circular value chain for renewable energy technologies, including advanced materials development and recycling systems.
• Deep Tech Scale-Up: Commercial scaling of a breakthrough quantum encryption device that radically outperforms existing cybersecurity solutions.

Technology Development Costs: Expenses related to product or service development, prototyping, testing, and validation in relevant environments.

Personnel and Expert Fees: Salaries of R&D staff, technical teams, and external experts (including consultants, Intelectual Property attorneys, and regulatory advisors).

Market Preparation and Scale-Up: Costs for activities that support market deployment, such as pilot trials, customer testing, certifications, and industrial scale-up.

Intellectual Property & Regulatory: Expenses related to patent filing, Intelectual Property protection, freedom-to-operate analysis, and regulatory pathway assessments.

Equipment and Infrastructure Use: Leasing or usage of specialized equipment and facilities necessary for development or demonstration.

Subcontracting and External Services: Justified subcontracting to third parties for specialized tasks that cannot be done in-house.

Travel and Dissemination: Travel linked to project implementation, partner collaboration, and participation in relevant events or exhibitions.

Total budget for the grant: 634.000.000€

Co-financing percentage: Maximum of 70% of total eligible costs

Maximum funding per company: 2.500.000€

Minimum funding per company: 500.000€

Company Type: You must be a startup, SME, or small mid-cap (up to 499 employees), established in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country.

Innovation Profile: Projects must focus on high-risk, high-impact innovations that can create new markets or transform existing ones.

Financial Capability: Applicants must show financial stability or bring in co-investors to support the project’s scale-up if required.