EIC Accelerator Proposal Design: Helpful Resources and Graphics (SME Instrument)

1. Pictograms

Pictograms can be very helpful in designing concept graphics and in increasing the general appeal of figures and images. Since a single project might have very specific needs regarding the type and look of the desired illustrations, a large database of pictograms is highly beneficial.

The Noun Project offers just that. A database with thousands of pictograms that can be used under a Creative Commons / Royalty-Free license. Here, it is possible to find any type of pictogram that would be useful in enhancing the quality of images and graphics.

If you are using Adobe Illustrator, these images can be directly downloaded and imported as SVG or as PNG files (i.e. the latter can be expanded to yield a vector graphic) which gives significantly more control over colours and shapes.

2. Vector Graphics

Vector graphics can be particularly helpful for the design of the proposal page and for the use in certain illustrations. FreePik and Vecteezy offer large databases consisting of images, vector graphics and illustrations that can help make an application more appealing but can also help in creating a more professional look. Vector designs can be useful for the presentation of headers, the deigns on page margins or for the preparation of a cover page and pitch deck.

Next to the general design (i.e. search for keywords such as business or tech), FreePik can also help in finding device overlays that can be used to place software screenshots (i.e. a UI Dashboard) inside of laptop or smartphone screens. This can be done with Adobe Photoshop (i.e. PSD file format) and can greatly enhance the look (and impact) of a simple screenshot.

3. Images

There is always a use for images and photos to further enhance the presentation of an application. While Document 1 does usually not require any photographs due to the strict space limitations, Document 2 (i.e. the annexes) and Document 4 (i.e. the pitch deck) can benefit greatly from well-placed images to improve the story-telling.

You can utilise a vast database of royalty-free images from websites such as PixaBay or Unsplash which offer thousands of photographs at no cost (i.e. Creative Commons). These images can be used for the visual structuring of a narrative or just act as a background (i.e. with opacity) to create an appealing watermark-like effect.

4. Image Converter

As a writer or professional consultant, you will often find yourself looking for company logos and other related graphics which need to be taken directly from the respective companies website. Such images are frequently presented in WebP/SVG formats or similarly compressed files which can not be simply fetched like other images (i.e. these cannot be placed in proposal documents). This is done to increase website speed but it is to the detriment of writers who quickly want to implement a logo or image.

Outside of tediously taking and cropping a screenshot, a fast workaround is to use an online converter which can quickly extract the image as a high-quality PNG or JPG file. An example of this is CloudConvert which offers such conversions for free.

5. Fonts

For a successful EIC Accelerator (SME Instrument) application, the main writing of Document 1 and 2 should stick to the given template guidelines (i.e. Arial or similar at min. 11 pt) but for the headers, images and especially the pitch deck, you have more creative freedom regarding the design of a professional grant application.

Free fonts can be found on websites such as Google Fonts and Adobe Fonts where entire font families can be viewed and easily downloaded. Especially Google Fonts allows the simple scrolling through a multitude of options and finding a font that fits the Corporate Identity or is visually appealing. Examples of interesting fonts for headers are Raleway, Quicksand or Montserrat.

6. Colour Palettes

Colour is an especially important part of a grant application and it is beneficial to decide upon a certain style for the entire proposal prior to working on images or headers. It is recommended to have a proposal consisting of a single main colour or of a primary and a secondary colour to not overload the reader.

Choosing these colours is highly dependant on taste, the type of technology and the general company image. It is useful to just experiment with colours in an empty document and to create colour couples which work well together.

A colour picker tool is the Adobe Color Wheel which allows the advanced selection and experimentation with certain styles. This is not only beneficial for financing applications but is also helpful for the creation of illustrations and slide designs in general.

7. Pitch Deck Design

Lastly, Document 4 of the EIC Accelerator Phase 2 application (i.e. the pitch deck) will need to be designed as well and there is not much guidance from the European Commission as to how it should look like. There is a template for the SME Instrument pitch but the overall structure is very broad and does not aid in creating a presentable design.

A great resource for such pitch designs is SlideBean which is dedicated to creating better pitch decks for startups and SME's (i.e. they offer an AI-based slide creation tool). The free version provides useful examples from companies such as Uber or Airbnb which can be utilized as a template to craft a suitable pitch for the EIC Accelerator Interviews (i.e. for the Green Deal pitch in June 2020 or for the October cut-off).

Conclusion

If you enjoyed this article then please feel free to also check out other articles regarding the correct narrative of the application, information on how to identify a good project and what software to use (i.e. Microsoft Word vs. Adobe InDesign).

These tips are not only useful for European startups, professional writers, consultants and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) but are generally recommended when writing a business plan or investor documents.

Deadlines: Post-Horizon 2020, the EIC Accelerator accepts Step 1 submissions now while the deadlines for the full applications (Step 2) under Horizon Europe are listed below. The Step 1 applications must be submitted weeks in advance of Step 2. The next EIC Accelerator cut-off for Step 2 (full proposal) can be found here. After Brexit, UK companies can still apply to the EIC Accelerator under Horizon Europe albeit with non-dilutive grant applications only - thereby excluding equity-financing. Switzerland has resumed its participation in Horizon Europe and is now eligible for the EIC Accelerator.

Contact: You can reach out to us via this contact form to work with a professional consultant.

AI Grant Writer: ChatEIC is a fully automated EIC Accelerator grant proposal writer: Get it here.

Eureka Network: The Eureka Network delivers various international collaborative R&D initiatives such as Network Projects, Clusters, Eurostars, Globalstars, and Innowwide, providing funding from €50K to €6.75M per project based on the specific initiative. This network emphasizes market-driven innovation and deep-tech advancement across multiple technology sectors including ICT/Digital, Industrial/Manufacturing, Bio/Medical Technologies, Energy/Environment, Quantum, AI, and Circular Economy. Eligible participants include SMEs, large enterprises, research organizations, universities, and startups, with Eurostars particularly focused on R&D-performing SMEs. Get Started

EIC Transition: EIC Transition delivers up to €2.5 million in funding to overcome the 'valley of death' gap between laboratory research and market deployment, emphasizing technology maturation and validation. The initiative supports single legal entities or small consortia of 2-5 partners including SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs, and research organizations. Key technology domains include Health/Medical Technologies, Green/Environmental Innovation, Digital/Microelectronics, Quantum Technologies, and AI/Robotics. Get Started

EIC STEP Scale-Up: EIC STEP Scale-Up delivers significant equity investments of €10-30 million for established deep-tech companies prepared for hyper-growth and large-scale expansion. The initiative targets SMEs or small mid-caps with up to 499 employees who have obtained pre-commitment from qualified investors. Primary focus areas include Digital & Deep Tech (Semiconductors, AI, Quantum), Clean Technologies for Net-Zero objectives, and Biotechnologies. Get Started

EIC Pre-Accelerator: EIC Pre-Accelerator represents a 2025 pilot initiative delivering €300,000-€500,000 in funding for early-stage deep-tech development and preparation for the EIC Accelerator program. This program is exclusively accessible to single SMEs or small mid-caps from 'Widening countries' to foster regional innovation development. The initiative encompasses deep-tech innovations across physical, biological, and digital domains. Get Started

EIC Pathfinder: EIC Pathfinder delivers up to €3 million for Open calls and up to €4 million for Challenge-based calls to support early-stage research and development with proof-of-principle validation. The initiative requires research consortia with a minimum of 3 partners from 3 different countries, including universities, research organizations, and SMEs. Primary technology focus areas include Health/Medical, Quantum Technologies, AI, Environmental/Energy, and Advanced Materials. Get Started

EIC Accelerator: EIC Accelerator delivers flexible funding options including blended finance (€2.5M grant + €0.5M-€10M equity), grant-only (up to €2.5M), or equity-only arrangements for scale-up and market deployment of breakthrough innovations. The initiative targets SMEs, start-ups, and small mid-caps with up to 499 employees, with MedTech/Healthcare representing 35% of funded projects. Additional technology areas include Biopharma, Energy, AI, Quantum, Aerospace, Advanced Materials, and Semiconductors. Get Started

Innovation Partnership: Innovation Partnership enables collaborative innovation between public and private sectors with typical funding of €1-5 million per project. The initiative supports cross-sectoral strategic technologies through public-private partnerships and consortia. Projects concentrate on addressing societal challenges through collaborative innovation approaches. Get Started

Innovation Fund: The EU Innovation Fund delivers substantial funding of €7.5 million to €300 million for large-scale demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies. The initiative targets clean energy, carbon capture, renewable energy, and energy storage technologies to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Eligible participants include large companies, consortia, and public entities capable of implementing large-scale demonstration projects. Get Started

Innovate UK: Innovate UK delivers various programs with funding ranging from £25K to £10M depending on the specific initiative, supporting business-led innovation, collaborative R&D, and knowledge transfer. The organization funds projects across all sectors with particular emphasis on emerging technologies and supports UK-based businesses, research organizations, and universities. Programs are designed to drive economic growth through innovation and technology commercialization. Get Started

Industrial Partnership: Industrial Partnership delivers €2-10 million in funding for industrial research and innovation partnerships focusing on manufacturing, industrial technologies, and digital transformation. The initiative supports industrial consortia and research organizations in developing collaborative solutions for industrial challenges. Projects aim to strengthen European industrial competitiveness through strategic partnerships. Get Started

Eurostars: Eurostars represents a joint EU-Eureka initiative delivering €50K-€500K for international R&D collaboration specifically led by SMEs. The program adopts a bottom-up approach, accepting projects from all technology fields without predefined thematic restrictions. R&D-performing SMEs must lead the consortium and demonstrate significant R&D activities. Get Started

LIFE Programme: The LIFE Programme delivers €1-10 million in funding for environmental protection, climate action, and nature conservation projects across the European Union. The initiative supports environmental technologies, climate adaptation strategies, and biodiversity conservation initiatives. Eligible participants include public authorities, private companies, NGOs, and research institutions working on environmental and climate challenges. Get Started

Neotec: Neotec represents a Spanish initiative delivering €250K-€1M in funding for technology-based business creation and development, supporting the growth of innovative Spanish SMEs and start-ups. The program covers all technology sectors and aims to strengthen Spain's technology ecosystem. Funding is specifically targeted at Spanish technology-based SMEs and start-ups to enhance their competitiveness and market presence. Get Started

Thematic Priorities: EU Thematic Priorities encompass various programs aligned with EU strategic priorities including green transition, digital transformation, health, and security initiatives. Funding amounts vary based on the specific program and call requirements, with projects designed to address key European challenges. Applicant eligibility varies by specific program and call, with different requirements for different thematic areas. Get Started

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