EIC Accelerator Newsletter: December 2025 - Results, Deadlines, and New Templates

Here is some recent news regarding the EIC Accelerator and EU grants in general:

EIC Accelerator Results and Interview Dates

On December 11^th, the EIC published the results for both EIC Accelerator Step 1 and Step 2. It is always good to keep an eye on the duration of the evaluations for planning purposes, so here's an overview of how long it took:

• Step 1 results from the November 4^th, 2025, deadline were released after 37 days
• Step 2 results from the October 1^st, 2025, deadline were released after 71 days

The EIC Accelerator interview dates have been confirmed and will be held in the week of January 19^th to 23^rd, 2026.

When to (Re-)Apply for EIC Accelerator Step 2

One important question that has come up with my clients who have been invited to submit Step 2 is whether they should apply for the Step 2 deadline in January or March. There is very little time left, and it's quite a bit of work, so they asked me which one they should go for.

I usually prefer to go for the next possible deadline and try to never waste a cut-off, so my general recommendation would be to target January. However, I cannot find a strategic reason to justify it in this case.

There is no interview associated with the January deadline, so even if you apply in January and don't wait for March, you can't get funded any earlier.

Furthermore, since you are not ranked against other applicants, but simply receive a GO or NO GO, there is no concern about the difference in the number of applicants per cut-off.

Now that Step 2 has lost its guaranteed interview follow-up, the real decision factor is Step 3:

• 1^st EIC Accelerator Interview 2026: June 2026 (exact date TBD)
• 2^nd EIC Accelerator Interview 2026: October 2026 (exact date TBD)
• 3^rd EIC Accelerator Interview 2026: January 2027 (exact date TBD)

Should You Skip a Deadline?

There could be a downside to going for the January Step 2 deadline. If you rush the writing process and rely on the March deadline as a fallback, then you are likely wrong.

The EIC needed 71 days to present the Step 2 results in 2025. How long will it take if they add the "highly qualified external technology expert" in 2026 on top of the regular evaluation? 80 days? 90+?

There are exactly 56 days between the first and second Step 2 deadlines in 2026. I do not believe that rejected applicants will be able to resubmit in time with a longer evaluation process, even if the proposals are somewhat shorter.

So, rushing might not be worth it.

New EIC Accelerator Step 2 Templates

As part of the "simplification" of EIC Accelerator Step 2, new templates have been released. I completed my new template versions recently, and they are now available to all Starter Pack and Advisory users.

One significant change is that the work packages have been removed from the main proposal and were moved into a 10-page annex. That is not a lot of space since it must fit the workpackages, deliverables, milestones, charts, risks, costs, and the work plan, which usually takes 12 pages or more.

The new Step 2 proposal (now reduced to 20 pages) follows the same structure as the recently changed Step 1. The DMP and 10-page annex have been removed, while the CV has been reduced to a link at the end of the proposal (hello, LinkedIn).

ChatEIC Case Studies

I launched the 1.0 version of ChatEIC in April and the 2.0 version in June. Since then, much has happened, and I am currently preparing 3.0, which will implement a new UI as well as more editing and revision features.

In a previous email, I mentioned companies that used ChatEIC or the Starter Pack and successfully passed Step 1. At least one of them also made it to the Step 3 interview, so I am helping them with extensive coaching sessions alongside my other invited clients.

Interview Success Rates

I've been asked a few times what the success rates in the EIC Accelerator interviews are going to be.

While I can't predict the future, my estimate is 15-25% based on the most recent results.

Subsdy: 400+ New Calls!

Last week, the EU quietly released about 400 new calls, which surprised me, but it shows the high turnover of EU grants every year.

They're all live on Subsdy now, so if you haven't done a grant search in a while, I recommend running a matching or agent search today.

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

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