How to Apply for the EIC Accelerator: Steps 1, 2, and 3
Since the EIC Accelerator application process can appear obscure and confusing, allow me to create a short guide on how to apply for the EIC Accelerator in 2026.
The Account
Account: First, you need to create an account on the Funding & Tenders Portal. This will be the platform where you can manage and submit your proposals. In the settings, you will have to set up two-factor authentication (2FA) since it is now mandatory when submitting proposals.
Participant Identification Code: If no one in your team has done so yet, register your organization on the Participant Register to obtain your PIC.
EIC Accelerator Step 1 Proposal
Draft: Create your first draft by initiating the submission on the EIC Accelerator Step 1 call page.
I always recommend creating a draft before you start writing the proposals, since you will then be kept in the loop regarding any template changes and deadline updates. The platform will automatically send you the respective updates via email.
On the draft page, you can also download the official EIC Accelerator templates (a more comprehensive version is available in the Starter Pack).
Now, you can create proposal documents on your preferred platform (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Docs, ChatEIC). Ideally, you obtain a comprehensive review of your proposal before the submission.
Once you have completed all the documents, return to the Funding & Tenders Portal to submit your proposal.
After the respective Step 1 deadline has passed, it will take about 5 to 6 weeks to obtain your evaluation.
EIC Accelerator Step 2 Proposal
Step 2 follows the same general steps as Step 1, with a few exceptions:
Account: You likely already have an account since you have passed Step 1 before. In case you have been granted access through a fast track or plug-in scheme and do not have an account yet, feel free to follow the steps above.
Invitation: Step 2 is invite-only, which means you will not be able to find the submission link anywhere online. If you have passed Step 1 and been granted access, you will receive an email with the respective links.
Open or Challenge: From the Step 2 links, pick the most appropriate one. You will find one submission link that leads you to the Open Call and multiple links for each separate Challenge. It is important that you pick the correct link from the start, since you cannot change it later.
For the same reason as described above, create a draft for your Step 2 proposal early to stay in the loop regarding updates. Use the templates and instructions found in the Starter Pack to develop your proposal and obtain a comprehensive review.
EIC Accelerator Step 2 Interview
After submitting your proposal, it will take a few days to a week to receive an invitation to schedule the Step 2 Interview. You will be sent a list of dates that reach about a month into the future and will need to indicate your availability, as well as submit the interviewee details.
After another 1 to 3 weeks, you will receive your interview date.
After the interview, it will take about 3 to 5 weeks to receive a response.
EIC Accelerator Step 3 Interview
Following your successful EIC Accelerator Step 2 Interview, you will be invited to the Step 3 Interview in Brussels, Belgium. The invitation contains a short briefing on the interview process and your exact date and time slot.
While the interviews generally span one or more weeks, your assigned date will allow you to book accommodation and plan the trip around just one day.
After the interview, it will take about 3 to 6 weeks to receive a response. If you have been successfully selected for funding, you will likely receive an email through the Funding & Tenders Portal even before you are officially notified.
If all went well, you have successfully raised up to €2.5 million in grant funding and €10 million in EIC Fund financing.
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)
- Co-Writing (full proposal writing with continuous client alignment)
- Writing (complete end-to-end service, including writing and submission)
- Review (personal proposal review by an expert)
Other resources:
- Baibylon: Your AI Agent Inbox
- Subsdy (AI grant discovery)
- My Subsdy Profile
- Newsletter (share this newsletter with a colleague)
- Subscribe via Telegram (get updates in the Telegram channel)
- Flaxd: Strategic Startup Consulting
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.
EIC Accelerator Step 1 Deadline 2025
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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