Frequently Asked Questions

Keep your watermark opacity very low, ideally between 2-7%. This ensures it's subtle and doesn't distract from the main content of your proposal. The watermark should enhance, not overwhelm, the page.

It's generally better to create images and tables specifically for your proposal. Existing ones might not fit the color scheme, have low resolution, or use unsuitable font sizes. Tailoring them ensures a cohesive and professional look.

Don't worry if you don't have everything immediately available. We can discuss what you have during the initial call and identify any gaps. We can then work together to gather the remaining information needed for a complete proposal.

We require full CVs and pictures of the three project leaders and company founders to showcase the expertise and experience behind the project. This information helps build credibility and demonstrates the team's capabilities to potential stakeholders.

After the initial video call, we will review the information discussed and the materials provided. We will then work on developing a tailored proposal that addresses your specific needs and project goals. We'll keep you informed throughout the entire process.

Yes, the initial video call to discuss your project is free of charge, irrespective of a contract being signed or not. It's an opportunity for us to understand your needs and determine how we can best assist you.

Based on past data, topics 09 (Low-Carbon and Efficient Energy), 07 (Agri-Culture, Food and Bio-Based Sectors), and 06 (Health, Well-Being and Ageing Well) have shown higher success rates. However, it's important to remember that any project that aligns well with a topic has the potential to be funded.

The budget size and the success rate don't always correlate directly. While a larger budget can potentially mean more projects are funded, it doesn't guarantee a higher success rate. The number of applicants and the quality of proposals also play significant roles.

On average, about 9% of all applications for the Horizon 2020 SME Instrument receive funding. However, this number varies significantly depending on the specific topic and the number of applicants. Some topics have success rates as low as 0% or as high as 21%.

You can find a list of all beneficiaries for the Horizon 2020 SME Instrument, including both Phase 1 and Phase 2 recipients, at the provided link. This can give you an idea of the types of projects that have been successful in the past.

If you only consider high-quality proposals that meet the funding threshold, the success rate increases dramatically. It can range from 28% to 100%, with an average success rate of around 70%, depending on the specific topic.

Even with a high score, your proposal might be rejected due to budget limitations and the competitiveness of the topic. The analysis considers all applications, including those that didn't meet the general funding threshold. Focusing on proposals that meet the threshold gives a better indication of success.

Consider choosing a less 'crowded' topic with a relatively high budget. Review the success rates for individual topics from previous years to identify those with a higher likelihood of funding. However, ensure your project genuinely aligns with the topic's objectives.

The number of applicants and the overall success rate can vary between cut-off dates. However, the statistics from the November 2015 cut-off provide a general indication of the success rates for different topics. Use this data as a guide, but be aware that the specific numbers may fluctuate.

Yes, funding is available to accelerate the market introduction of ICT solutions for Health, Well-Being, and Ageing Well. The goal is to bridge the gap between research and market uptake of relevant ICT products and services in these areas.

Yes, the EU provides funding to stimulate innovation in SMEs for a low-carbon and efficient energy system. This includes projects focused on reducing energy consumption, low-carbon electricity, alternative fuels, smart grids, and new energy technologies.

Yes, the EU provides funding to engage SMEs in space research and development. This includes applications related to Galileo and Copernicus, spinning-in terrestrial solutions to space challenges, and developing critical space technologies.

Yes, funding is available to SMEs accelerating the uptake of nanotechnologies, advanced materials, or advanced manufacturing and processing technologies. The aim is to create added value by combining research results with other elements, transferring results across sectors, and accelerating innovation for profit or other benefits.

Yes, there is support for innovative SMEs in the healthcare biotechnology sector. This includes funding for clinical research validating biomarkers and diagnostic medical devices, as well as cell technologies in medical applications.

Yes, there's dedicated support for biotechnology SMEs, especially those closing the gap between lab research and market application. Funding is available for SMEs working in industrial biotechnology and those using systems or synthetic biology.

Yes, the EU supports SMEs innovating in sustainable agriculture, forestry, agri-food, and bio-based sectors. This includes developing resource-efficient solutions for safe, healthy food, sustainable production systems, and low-carbon supply chains.

Yes, the EU offers funding for small business innovation research in Transport and Smart Cities Mobility. This supports SMEs delivering innovations for sustainable and smarter mobility, better accessibility, and improved logistics in urban areas.

No, there isn't a strict structure, but a helpful template includes an introduction, adjectives describing USPs, a noun identifying the product, the product's USPs, and the broader impact. This template helps create a clear and impactful title.

Yes, a well-crafted title can create a positive first impression and make your project more memorable to the evaluators. It's a crucial element in presenting your project effectively.

You can find examples of successful abstracts, titles, and acronyms in the Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS) database and on the EIC Accelerator call page.

Yes, starting the title with an introductory word or phrase like 'The first' or 'Novel' can effectively highlight the innovative aspect of your project.

The noun in the title should clearly identify the product or service that your project is focused on. Examples include 'Point-of-Care Device' or 'Battery Management System'.

Use adjectives that highlight the unique selling points of your product or service. Examples include 'integrated,' 'secure,' 'sophisticated,' or any other descriptive word that emphasizes its key features.

USP stands for Unique Selling Proposition. Highlighting the USPs in the title quickly communicates what makes your product or service different and better than existing solutions.

The broader impact should reflect the positive effects your project will have on the industry or Europe as a whole. Consider impacts like creating a circular economy, mitigating climate change, or developing new treatments.

While there's no specified length, aim for a concise title that effectively communicates the key aspects of your project. It should be easy to understand and memorable.

Thoroughly research and understand the market, relevant trends, applicable policies, and financial pressures related to your innovation. This context is crucial for framing the problem and demonstrating the importance of your solution to the EU.

The 'missing link' refers to the gap between what the EU wants to achieve and what it needs to avoid (negative repercussions). Your introduction should clearly illustrate this gap and position your innovation as the solution that bridges it.

Don't focus on writing an easy introduction that avoids highlighting the true impact of your innovation. It's crucial to make the problem relevant to the EU's goals and demonstrate how your solution directly addresses a significant need, even if it requires more effort.

The ultimate goal is to guide the reader directly to your innovation and clearly demonstrate its value. The introduction should make it obvious why your solution is essential for addressing a critical problem and achieving the EU's objectives.

Rewrite the introduction as many times as necessary until you are confident that it perfectly reflects the impact of your innovation. It's not uncommon to revise it multiple times to ensure it effectively sets up the rest of the proposal.

While there isn't a specific 'narrative' criterion, the introduction significantly influences the overall impression and perceived impact of your project. Impact is a key evaluation criterion, and a well-crafted introduction is essential for demonstrating the potential impact of your innovation.

When applications receive the same score, the EIC Accelerator prioritizes them based on the impact criterion first, then the excellence criterion, and finally gender balance. This highlights the importance of a strong impact narrative in your introduction.

The parable illustrates the mistake of focusing on what's easy rather than what's effective. Searching for the key under the streetlight is easier, but it won't lead to finding the key. Similarly, an easy-to-write introduction that avoids the real impact won't lead to funding.

Energy and MedTech/Healthcare are the most frequently funded industries in EIC Accelerator Challenge Calls. Other well-represented industries include Battery, Quantum technology, and Semiconductors, aligning with the EIC's focus areas.

Blended finance (grant and equity) is the most popular funding type in Challenge Calls, followed by grant-first. There's slightly less interest in blended finance and more in grant-first compared to Open Calls, potentially reflecting the riskier nature of Challenge projects.

The data used in this analysis comes from official EIC releases, CORDIS databases, and the EIC Accelerator Data Hub. AI was used to determine the industry of each project based on its description. Note that the EIC Accelerator Data Hub has been found to contain inaccuracies.

Open calls fund a wider variety of industries, with MedTech dominating. Challenge calls focus on specific technology areas like Energy, Battery, and Quantum Technology, showing the EIC's strategic priorities.

The EIC Accelerator is primarily designed for Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and startups from EU member states and countries associated with Horizon Europe. These associated countries include Ukraine, Israel, and Tunisia. The program targets companies with DeepTech innovations that have the potential to scale globally.

Due to the increasing complexity of the EIC Accelerator application process, many companies rely on consultants for assistance. This can create a dependency and potentially disadvantage startups from low-GDP countries that cannot afford these services.

The EIC Accelerator offers several funding options, including blended finance (grant and equity), grant-first, grant-only, and equity-only. Blended finance has been the most popular option, while equity-only has been the least common.

Based on data from 2021-2024, the top countries in terms of the number of funded companies are France, Germany, and the Netherlands. These countries have secured a significant portion of the total EIC Accelerator awards.

The EIC Accelerator has a strong focus on DeepTech, so MedTech/Healthcare, Biopharma, and Energy are the most frequently funded industries. However, the program also supports a diverse range of other industries, including Quantumtech, Aerospace, and Agriculture.

While the EIC Accelerator aims to support innovation across all eligible countries, a significant portion of funding has gone to companies in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. This raises concerns about whether the program is reinforcing the wealth of top countries rather than supporting areas where funding is less available.

A winning company can receive up to €2.5 million in grant funding and up to €15 million in equity financing, for a total of €17.5 million per project. The specific amount depends on the project's needs and the evaluation of the EIC.