Frequently Asked Questions

The EIC is attempting to optimize the process and improve the selection of projects. However, adding more steps can discourage applicants and increase the overall burden on both applicants and evaluators.

The EIC aims to strike a balance between a thorough evaluation and a streamlined process. They want to avoid overly complex applications that deter strong companies while also preventing the funding of unsuitable projects.

A single knock-out round comparing two projects would reduce the applicant pool by 50%. Subsequent rounds, or variations comparing more projects at once, could further accelerate the reduction.

A convergent evaluation process involves comparing projects directly against each other to identify the 'more worthy' ones. This approach prioritizes relative merit over individual assessment, potentially saving time and resources.

Potential issues include unfair matching of projects and the possibility of good projects being eliminated due to 'bad luck' in the draw. However, the reduced time investment in proposal writing could offset these risks.

In a knock-out system, applications would be randomly matched and compared, with the superior project advancing. Multiple rounds of elimination would quickly reduce the number of applicants, streamlining the evaluation process.

A linear process evaluates applications individually and ranks them. A convergent process compares applications directly to determine which are superior, as seen in the EIC Accelerator pitch interviews.

Yes, your work package budget should clearly separate the requested grant funding from any equity contributions. This provides a comprehensive view of the financial resources allocated to each task and helps the EIC understand how the funding will be used.

While not strictly mandatory before applying, the absence of work packages can be a red flag. It suggests a lack of planning or that your project might be too early-stage for the EIC Accelerator. Ideally, you should have some form of internal development plan that can be refined into detailed work packages.

Yes, absolutely. If your previous application received a low Implementation score, reviewing and editing your work packages should be a top priority before resubmitting. Ensure they are clear, quantified, and demonstrate a realistic and well-planned execution strategy.

Be as specific and quantified as possible. Aim for a level of detail that allows progress to be tracked on a monthly or even weekly basis. The more detail you provide, the more confident the evaluators will be in your ability to execute the project successfully.

Work packages help validate the overall development timeline and demonstrate how your project will advance through different TRLs. By clearly outlining the tasks and deliverables within each work package, you can show the EIC how your innovation will progress from its current stage to a close-to-market solution.

That's a common situation, especially for startups with adaptable technologies. The good news is that a preliminary plan can be edited and improved to meet the EIC Accelerator's requirements. Focus on adding specific tasks, quantification, and a clear timeline to strengthen your proposal.

Feasibility assessment tasks (like market analysis) determine if the project is viable, while development tasks (like technical development) execute the project. The EIC Accelerator primarily funds development tasks. Feasibility should already be established and described elsewhere in your proposal.

Work packages are crucial because they provide a clear roadmap for how you'll use the requested funding. They demonstrate to the EIC that you have a well-thought-out plan, making it easier for them to assess the feasibility and credibility of your project. They also facilitate tracking progress and managing accountability if your project is funded.

A work package is a defined set of tasks and development plans focused on achieving a specific deliverable. It's a structured way to break down your project into manageable components, making it easier to plan, budget, and track progress. The EIC Accelerator typically recommends using five work packages to cover the entire project scope.

Each work package should detail the budget (grant and equity contributions), timeline (start and end dates for tasks), and responsible personnel (project managers, task leaders). Be specific and quantify everything as much as possible. This includes milestones, KPIs, and deliverables, all aligned with the overall project timeline.

Creating a precise financial plan that relies on a future grant is challenging due to unpredictable timelines. Government bodies often have slow bureaucratic processes, which can delay funding disbursement even after approval. Therefore, grants should be considered optional and not the sole basis of a financial plan.

The effort invested in preparing a grant application shouldn't be wasted. The documents can be repurposed and restructured into business plans for investors, marketing materials, content for social media, and other pitching opportunities.

The evaluation process timeline varies, but popular grant programs often have lengthy and multi-stage evaluations. This can lead to delays, making it difficult to accurately predict when funding will be received, even if the grant is ultimately awarded.

A strong support system exists for grant applicants through organizations like the European Innovation Council (EIC) and specialized consultancies. These resources offer grant writing services and template support to help companies prepare successful applications, but success is never guaranteed.

While grants may seem like 'free money,' governments view them as investments with specific goals. Securing a grant requires significant effort in preparing a compelling application, and the process is highly competitive, making it far from easy or guaranteed.

If a grant has a success rate below 50%, it should be considered an optional part of your company's financial strategy. Pursue grant applications as part of a broader roadmap that includes private funding sources to mitigate the risk of not securing the grant.

Public grants offer a potentially simpler application process for securing substantial financial support. They often focus on policy objectives, placing less emphasis on commercial and financial factors compared to private investors. This makes them a valuable option for a wide range of organizations, including non-profits, for-profits, and early-stage companies.

The EIC Accelerator provides blended financing (grant and equity) up to €17.5M for single beneficiaries. It features an online submission process and support from the European Innovation Council (EIC), making it attractive for innovation startups. However, it's crucial to understand the eligibility criteria and treat it as part of a broader funding strategy.

Grant programs vary significantly in competitiveness. The success rate, calculated by dividing successful applicants by total applicants, determines your realistic chances. It's essential to research the specific grant's success rate to understand the likelihood of securing funding and avoid relying solely on a single application.

Relying solely on a single grant application is risky due to the competitive nature of grants and the potential for rejection. It's wiser to view grants as one component of a larger, diversified financing strategy that includes other funding sources.

The ESR provides feedback to EIC Accelerator applicants (formerly SME Instrument) regarding the quality of their proposal. It breaks down the scores for Impact, Excellence, and Implementation, offering insights into areas for improvement. However, it lacks specific comments for rejected applications in the first step of the evaluation process.

A low Implementation score suggests weaknesses in the work packages, development stages, tasks, team, partners, timing, budget, or other concrete development steps. This could stem from a lack of clarity on how the grant financing will be used or inconsistencies within the application.

Refer to the linked articles within the blog post, such as the 'Visual Guide for an EIC Accelerator Application,' 'Preparing an Application Internally,' and 'TRL for the EIC Accelerator.' These resources provide valuable insights and guidance for strengthening your proposal.

A low Excellence score likely means the product or service isn't considered sufficiently innovative. It could also indicate a lack of clarity in presenting the Technology Readiness Level (TRL), the current stage of development, or how it compares to competing offers.

With a score below 12, you need to extensively rework your proposal. Re-evaluate the innovation aspect of your project and ensure it aligns with the EIC Accelerator's goals. Also, significantly improve the proposal's writing, design, quantifications, and explanations.

Under Horizon Europe (2021-2027), the European Commission (EC) and European Innovation Council (EIC) are expected to provide more detailed comments in the ESR, even for rejections in the first step. This will offer applicants more clarity on the reasons for rejection and areas for improvement.

While the official threshold for success is above 13, an unofficial threshold of above 13.6 is often cited. A score below 12 indicates the need for extensive revisions, potentially suggesting the project isn't innovative enough or the proposal quality is lacking.

A low Impact score suggests the proposal hasn't adequately addressed commercial aspects like customer needs, market analysis, commercialization strategy, intellectual property, and regulatory considerations. It may also indicate a neglect of the European dimension of the project.

The ESR's structure doesn't directly align with the official proposal template, and there's overlap between the sub-criteria being evaluated. This can make it challenging to understand the specific reasons behind the scores and identify areas needing improvement in your application.

A score in this range suggests the proposal is generally well-written but missing specific details needed to surpass the unofficial threshold. Identifying and addressing these specific flaws is crucial for improving your chances of success in the next submission.

Explain in detail why your project has the potential to reach a global scale and become a future EU unicorn startup. Highlight financials, company growth projections, and your overall future vision. Quantify the potential impact on the environment, industry, and the EU.

Clearly present your innovative technology and its unique selling points (USPs). Emphasize how these USPs directly address the 'missing link' or problem you've identified, and why existing market alternatives don't adequately solve it. Show that your product or service is a 'must-have' rather than a 'nice-to-have'.

Highlight the high-risk nature of your innovation project and explain why financing cannot be obtained elsewhere. Emphasize the need for further de-risking and validation at scale. While showcasing the competence of your team, also demonstrate the specific challenges preventing you from securing private investment.

Present the EIC Accelerator as the ideal solution to provide the necessary financing for your innovation project. Explain how it acts as a springboard to reach commercialization and solve the identified EU problem. Highlight the necessity of the work packages, implementation, and desired outcomes.

The EIC Accelerator, offered by the European Commission and the European Innovation Council, is a highly competitive grant program designed to support startups and SMEs in the EU and associated countries. It provides blended financing (grant and equity) to help innovative companies scale up and commercialize their technologies.

'Non-bankability' refers to the project's inability to secure funding from traditional sources like banks or investors. The EIC Accelerator prioritizes high-risk projects that require further de-risking and validation at scale, making them less attractive to conventional financing options.

The 'Technology' section should answer why the EIC Accelerator's funding is necessary for the project's success, as opposed to seeking funding from a private investor. It should highlight the unique aspects of the project that make it a good fit for the EIC's specific priorities.

Highlight any existing traction, such as pilot customers, validations, and Letters of Intent (LOI). Demonstrate significant interest from relevant stakeholders to turn the perception of a new technology into a desired commercial product. This helps to show the viability and market demand for your innovation.

No, this visual guide is not a substitute for the official EIC Accelerator template. It provides a general approach to structuring the 'Technology' section and focuses on arguing for the EIC's support. It omits key sections of the official template, so consult the official guidelines for a complete application.

The 'missing link' refers to the problem or gap in the market that your innovation addresses. The 'solution' is your technology or product that directly fills this gap. Your proposal should clearly demonstrate how your solution is essential for fixing the problem.

The EIC Accelerator Grant is a funding opportunity for early-stage startups and established SMEs. It aims to support the further development of innovative products with significant commercial and European impact. This grant is highly competitive, so a strong application is crucial for success.

Even the most innovative company needs excellent proposal writing to secure the EIC Accelerator grant. The application template is simplified and doesn't fully reflect what the application should contain. Strong writing skills are essential to clearly communicate your project's value and impact.

Preparing an application, including potential resubmissions, can take a significant amount of time, potentially 30 to 60 days initially, and even longer with revisions. Consider the time needed to research the evaluation process and prepare for the evaluation interview.