ChatEIC Upgrade: Latest Models & Writer UI

You might have already noticed that ChatEIC, the AI writer for the EIC Accelerator, received a major upgrade yesterday. This newsletter outlines what is new.

New ChatEIC Features

LLM

The LLM integration was upgraded to the latest GPT-5 model for improved quality. This also entailed updating prompts and input data to better match the new model behavior and understanding. Different LLMs can interpret the same instructions in very different ways.

Instructions

I improved the logic for blending user input with instructions by integrating your data more precisely into the prompts. This greatly improves outputs and makes them reflect your data more accurately.

Formatting

I improved the proposal formatting to include inline titles, icons, and a cleaner structure. The previous version only handled basic formatting. This release produces more consistent, application-ready layouts and reduces the time applicants spend on manual formatting.

Writer UI

I replaced the single download button with an in-app editor so you can edit proposals directly in ChatEIC. This makes it easy to fine-tune content, reimport changes, regenerate sections, and iterate without leaving the app.

Training

I rebuilt the training from static slide decks into interactive modules. From the document editor, you can now open the training modules and see the training guide while editing a proposal. This helps you apply the training immediately.

Multiple Projects

I added support for multiple projects so you can manage separate proposals for different companies or technologies. This is especially useful for organizations running several projects and for consultancies handling multiple clients.

Word Document

You can still download a fully formatted Word document with a financial chart. It now preserves the enhanced formatting and inline elements you see in the UI.

Financials

The old out-of-the-box financial chart used a linear approach that was too simplistic. The new version accounts for the provided revenues and projects revenues, costs, and profits five years into the future. If the provided revenues are too small, the system brings them to a minimum level. If they are very high, the projections still grow but are adjusted to the starting point.

Notifications

I added email notifications that alert you when your proposal is completed. You now get a reminder in your inbox.

Signup

I added full email sign-in alongside Google auth, and I migrated all previous accounts and data to the new system. If you signed in before, everything will be as you left it.

Overview

I improved the menu and settings page to show clearer overviews of your access level and the next deadline. You can now see the trajectory of your grant application more clearly. It covers the generation (credits), editing (training), and review of the draft prior to submission. If you purchased credits, training, or review access, they remain available in the new version.

General Makeover

Homepage

I redesigned the homepage to highlight the new features and make the site more informative. If you are still undecided, I recommend taking a look.

Guide

I updated the beginner guide to reflect the UI and backend changes and to make using ChatEIC faster and clearer.

Pricing

The pricing remains the same, but I reorganized the services into a clearer tiered system:

• Tier 1 provides a credit (or more) to create a proposal.
• Tier 2 adds the training with detailed instructions and all my proposal templates (Step 1 and 2).
• Tier 3 adds a personal proposal review by me.

Each tier includes the features of the previous one. The services many clients already use are now presented more clearly on ChatEIC.

Do You Want To Get Funded?

I sometimes ask companies that question if they approach me with their ideas of how to present the project, because much of my work is advising teams on how to make their projects fundable. That sometimes means advising them to drop ideas that will not fit the EIC Accelerator.

ChatEIC enforces several constraints that improve your chances. It asks you to pick a specific TRL; for example, TRL 6 is often ideal. It asks you to use a minimum budget larger than some official recommendations; for example, €500,000 is usually too small. It asks you to list customers, investors, commercial partners, and competitors, including their websites.

I see many applicants trying to start at TRL 4 or TRL 8, asking for grants that are too small or too large, or lacking relationships with potential customers or co-investors. Those are common deal-breakers.

Do you want to get funded? Then align your application with what the EIC expects. That does not guarantee success, but it gives you a much better chance.

Outlook

This rebuild was quite substantial. I first published ChatEIC V1 in April 2025, then rebuilt it into V2 just 3 months later. This V3 is a major upgrade and far exceeds the previous builds. And there are more features coming soon.

Now that the ChatEIC backend and frontend have been reworked, features like Agent mode, additional export options, sharing, collaboration, and more will follow.

I hope you enjoy it.

Next Deadlines

• Step 1 Deadline: February 3^rd
• Step 2 Deadline: March 4^th

Prepare Your Application

Need help with the EIC Accelerator or other grants? Here are some options:

• Starter Pack (lowest-risk entry via AI writer ChatEIC and content)
• Advisory (personalized guidance to help you write)
• Writing (complete end-to-end service, including writing and submission)
• Review (personal proposal review by an expert)

Other resources:

• Subsdy (AI grant discovery)
• Subsdy News (regular articles on new grant opportunities in the EU)
• Newsletter (share this newsletter with a colleague)

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.

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. Technology areas include Biotech, Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Quantum, Aerospace, Advanced Materials, and Semiconductors. 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 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 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 Advanced Innovation Challenges: EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges represents a new pilot initiative delivering €300,000 (Stage 1) and up to €2.5 million (Stage 2) for breakthrough deep-tech innovations through ARPA-style staged funding mechanisms with integrated demand-side engagement. This initiative targets single entities or small consortia (2-3 partners) including SMEs, start-ups, and research organizations. Primary focus areas include Physical AI for autonomous robotics applications and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for animal-free biomedical testing, with TRL 4 entry requirements and demonstrated end-user commitment. Get Started

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

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

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

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

Any more questions? View the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section.

Want to see all articles? They can be found here.

For Updates: Join this Newsletter!