EIC Evaluation Backlog and Major Subsdy Update

I recently read this message from the EC's support staff when asked about the slow EIC Accelerator Step 1 evaluation process:

"We sincerely apologise for the delay in evaluating the short proposals. The process is currently experiencing a backlog."

The cracks are starting to show.

Fate really does love irony, with the EIC's core evaluation process being disrupted by an innovation: AI.

The even greater irony is its resistance to embracing said innovation.

For anyone wondering: Step 1 evaluations might be a bit slower than before.

EIC Evaluations: What's To Be Done

For a grant agency, AI proposals are a direct threat to its core processes. As is true for any incoming threat, to overcome it, you have to do the one thing you don't want to do: embrace and immerse yourself in it.

The book "Disrupt Yourself" is an excellent guide here. If you don't have the courage to disrupt yourself, then someone else will.

What grant agencies should probably do ASAP:

Cut

Reduce grant proposals to their essence and make them as short and devoid of prose as possible. The EIC took one small step by reducing the full proposal slightly, but it was not a meaningful change.

Downsize

Use fewer evaluators, not more. The EIC made the mistake of adding thousands of hours of consulting fees by introducing another evaluation step, manually performed by a single consultant on a video call with every full proposal applicant.

This seems like the wrong direction. It would only make sense if the EIC is testing whether it can cut the Step 2 evaluation down to a single 1-hour video call, which might save time.

But it might not save money.

Rebuild

Think of what evaluations will look like in 10 years and build that now.

Create a data room for applicants with mandatory sections (i.e., technology, IP, financials, staff, investments, market, competitors, impact, etc.) with hard limits on how much data is allowed. Let AI assess the data.

Then reduce the human aspect to a pitch deck and video. No proposal.

Evaluators assess the AI's analysis of the data (which can include extensive DeepResearch) and its final assessments. Then the evaluator can assess a project much faster.

The quality would likely be higher than the current approach.

PS: Applicants who submitted Step 1 should have received their evaluation results today.

Subsdy Evolves

One common theme among grant seekers on Subsdy was their interest in finding partners or consortia. So, I integrated more features to accommodate that.

New Free Features

• Create a profile on any grant page (up to 5 at a time) to find partners

• Create a profile template to reuse on grants

• Message other users who are searching on the same grant

• Claim your own profile handle, like subsdy.com/u/handle, which displays the grants on which you have included your profiles

• Change your handle if you don’t like it, and set your profile to private to turn off profiles and messaging functions

• Grant pages now feature a document section (i.e., links for documents such as templates, work programs, and so on)

New Subscription Features

• Create profiles on up to 120 grants

• See the latest additions to the database in a grant grid

• See the deadline calendar with all grants and tenders that have a deadline in the coming two months. You can also filter this calendar by the grants you are following.

• See a list of all grants where users are searching for partners

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)
• My Subsdy Profile
• Newsletter (share this newsletter with a colleague)
• Subscribe via Telegram (get updates in the Telegram channel)

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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