Frequently Asked Questions

'Open' calls are available to all types of technologies and industries, while 'Challenge' calls are specific to certain projects that meet particular criteria outlined in the Work Programme. Applying to 'Challenge' calls, if your project fits the criteria, can increase your chances of success due to potentially lower competition.

Technology Readiness Level (TRL) indicates the maturity of your technology, ranging from basic principles observed (TRL 1) to actual system proven in operational environment (TRL 9). The EIC programs target different TRL ranges, so accurately identifying your TRL is essential for choosing the right program.

The three flagship EIC grant funding programs are EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition, and EIC Accelerator. These programs offer different levels of funding and support based on the technology readiness level (TRL) of your innovation. Understanding the distinctions between them is crucial for selecting the right fit for your project.

The EIC's Work Programme is renewed annually, which means budgets and thematic topics change. It's crucial to review the current Work Programme to understand the available funding, specific challenges, and eligibility criteria. This will help you tailor your application and increase your chances of success.

EIC Accelerator projects, especially those requesting grant-only, equity-only, or blended financing, generally need to demonstrate the availability of additional financing. For grant-only applications, you should justify how you'll reach TRL 9. For equity components, the EIC expects applicants to secure outside investors for co-financing.

Yes, the EIC Accelerator is designed for single applicants, meaning only one entity receives the funding. This entity must be located in the EU or a country associated with Horizon Europe. In contrast, EIC Pathfinder and EIC Transition allow applications from both single entities and consortia.

The core selection criteria are the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of your innovation, the specific topic or industry it addresses, the number of other applicants, and your project's financing needs and investor availability. Carefully assess these factors to align your project with the most suitable EIC funding program.

EIC Pathfinder supports early-stage research and innovation, typically for projects at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1 to 4. It's ideal for university spin-offs, research institutes, or companies with scientific departments working on breakthrough technologies. The program focuses on scientific and technological excellence, offering grants up to €3 million.

The EIC offers three main non-dilutive funding programs: EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition, and EIC Accelerator. These programs are designed to support companies at various stages of development, from early-stage research to scaling up their businesses. The goal is to provide a seamless pathway to financing, regardless of the company's industry or current development stage.

EIC Transition helps companies bridge the gap between validated research and a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), targeting projects at TRL 4 to 5-6. It's designed for projects building on previous funding from programs like EIC Pathfinder or the European Defence Fund. The program provides grants of up to €2.5 million to develop and validate product prototypes.

Grant-first funding is a non-dilutive grant option within the EIC Accelerator, designed for companies aiming to reach TRL8 but lacking secure scale-up financing. Successful grant-first projects can later apply for equity financing through a special pathway. This option is particularly useful for early-stage companies needing extensive technology validation or clinical trials.

To access EIC Pathfinder funding, your project needs a convincing long-term vision for a radically new technology. It should also demonstrate a concrete, novel, and ambitious science-towards-technology breakthrough. Finally, a high-risk/high-gain research approach with concrete and plausible objectives is essential.

The TRL scale measures the maturity of a technology, from basic research (TRL 1) to a fully commercialized product (TRL 9). The EIC programs are designed to support projects across this entire spectrum. Pathfinder covers TRL 1-4, Transition covers TRL 4-6, and Accelerator covers TRL 5-9.

The EIC Accelerator is the largest EIC funding program, aimed at companies at TRL 5-6 and beyond. It offers both non-dilutive grants (up to €2.5 million) and dilutive equity injections (up to €15 million). Funding options include grant-only, grant-first, equity-only, and blended financing, allowing companies to choose the best fit for their needs.

Specific budget allocations and cut-off dates for each EIC program (Pathfinder, Transition, and Accelerator) are typically announced on the EIC's official website. Look for documents like the '2023 EIC Budget' or information on 'Updated Deadlines' to stay informed. These resources provide the most up-to-date details.

Blended financing combines a non-dilutive grant with a dilutive equity injection from the EIC Fund. This approach allows companies to de-risk their technological developments with grant funding. The EIC Fund acts as a co-investor, encouraging external investors to participate and supporting larger financing rounds.

The EIC assesses whether your novel technology is ready for maturation and validation in specific applications. They also consider if you've explored potential markets and competitors for your innovation. Finally, they look for a motivated and entrepreneurial team to drive the idea toward commercialization.

Before 2021, the EIC Accelerator allowed applicants to resubmit proposals an unlimited number of times. This meant companies could repeatedly apply and even attend multiple interviews. While this offered persistence, it also increased the workload for evaluators.

Always refer to the official EIC Accelerator documentation and guidelines on the European Commission website. These resources provide the most accurate and current information regarding the application and resubmission process. Consulting with experienced advisors or consultants can also be beneficial.

Even if you were initially successful in Step 2 but rejected after the Step 3 interview, it only counts as one rejection for Step 2. You can resubmit to Step 2 again, as long as you haven't reached the three-rejection limit.

The 'three strikes, you're out' rule means you have three attempts at each step of the EIC Accelerator process. If you are rejected three times at any particular step, you will not be able to reapply to the EIC Accelerator until the end of the Horizon Europe program in 2027.

A rejection in Step 3 means that a company has to reapply to Step 2 (or directly to Step 3 if invited to do so). The specific rules for Step 3 rejections can vary, so pay close attention to the feedback provided by the EIC.

From 2021 to 2023, the EIC Accelerator introduced freezing periods. Applicants generally had two chances at each step. If rejected twice in Step 1 or Step 2, they faced a 12-month ban from reapplying. Rejection in Step 3 sent applicants back to Step 2.

The EIC Accelerator, funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) and European Commission (EC), provides grant and equity financing to startups and SMEs. It aims to support innovative projects with high growth potential. The program has evolved over the years, becoming more complex but also offering significant funding opportunities.

If your application is rejected in Step 1, you can resubmit to Step 1 again. However, if you are rejected a second time in Step 1, you will be subject to a freezing period. This prevents you from reapplying for a certain duration.

If you are rejected after the Step 3 interview, you will typically be sent back to Step 2 and asked to reapply. In some cases, you may be invited to proceed directly to Step 3 again. Pay attention to the feedback provided to understand the reasons for the rejection.

In 2024, the EIC Accelerator has moved to a "three strikes, you're out" rule. This means applicants now have three attempts at each step before facing a ban. However, if you receive three rejections in any step, you will be unable to reapply until the end of Horizon Europe in 2027.

While the EIC sometimes uses the term 'idea,' successful projects are far beyond the initial idea stage. Your project should have reached at least Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 or 6 and Business Readiness Level (BRL) 5 or 6. This demonstrates significant progress beyond a mere concept.

The EIC Accelerator is designed to take on the risk of breakthrough innovations to attract private investors later on. The lack of investors at the initial stage should not prevent the EIC investment from being agreed upon. The EIC aims to fill the funding gap for high-risk innovations.

If you are offered a reimbursable advance (loan) and you are not able to reimburse it or do not want to, the reimbursable advance will be transformed into equity. In case of bankruptcy, the reimbursable advance will be considered as a grant and hence written off.

Offering a loan instead of a grant allows the EIC to fund a wider range of projects. This includes projects that may not be considered deeply innovative but have strong business models or financial health. It also allows them to fund projects with lower risk profiles, potentially improving their public image and success rate.

The EIC is actively building a network of investors through its online platform. They aim to connect companies with investors who have undergone prior EIC due diligence. This includes strategic investors who can offer support beyond just financing, which is particularly beneficial for early-stage projects from universities and research institutions.

The EIC Accelerator typically provides up to €15 million in equity financing per project. However, in certain justified cases, especially those aligned with the EIC Accelerator’s Strategic Challenges, you might be able to request a higher amount. This is particularly relevant for technologies strategic to the EU, facing global competition, or having funding needs exceeding typical European availability.

ScienceBusiness has published a draft of the 2023 EIC Work Programme. You can also find a library of Horizon Europe documents by the European Commission (EC) on their website, although these are mostly in draft form. Keep in mind that all information is subject to change.

Reimbursable advances are essentially interest-free loans offered by the EIC, up to €2.5 million, covering up to 70% of eligible innovation costs. They are considered by the jury in Step 3 interviews, particularly for projects with short innovation cycles. If you can't or don't want to reimburse, the advance can be converted into equity, or treated as a grant in case of bankruptcy.

While the EIC Fund has historically preferred to invest alongside external co-investors, this might be changing. The EIC is becoming more open to investing without a co-investor, especially in the initial stages of high-risk, market-creating innovations. This aims to bridge the funding gap and attract private investors later on.

No, all information and conclusions provided are subject to change and represent the opinion of the author based on a draft document. The EIC itself states that the draft work programme has not been adopted or endorsed by the European Commission and may not reflect the official position of the Commission.

The author views TRLs as subjective and confusing, suggesting they add unnecessary complexity to the evaluation process. They propose a simplified approach to technology levels, focusing on prototype creation, refinement, and scaling. This streamlined approach aims to make the evaluation process clearer and more efficient.

The sheer volume of AI-generated applications will overwhelm the current manual evaluation system. To remain competitive and avoid being left behind, the EIC must adapt and integrate AI into its evaluation process. This adaptation is crucial for handling the expected surge in submissions and maintaining a timely and effective evaluation process.

The author argues that the 'Gender and Diversity' section is easily manipulated and doesn't accurately reflect a company's true commitment to diversity. Companies can easily write this section in a way that satisfies evaluators without genuine diversity. Therefore, it becomes a redundant and ineffective measure.

The EIC's adoption of AI in grant evaluations is essential for survival due to the expected surge in AI-generated applications. This presents an opportunity to streamline the evaluation process and prioritize key factors like the company's technology and potential. The EIC must adapt to maintain efficiency and effectiveness in selecting promising projects.

The author suggests removing generic sections like 'Mission and Vision,' 'Gender and Diversity,' and 'Need for the EIC.' These sections often contain boilerplate content that doesn't provide meaningful insights into the company or technology. Removing them would streamline the evaluation process and focus on more relevant aspects.

The quality of applications is directly linked to the quality of the EIC's evaluation process. By streamlining the process and focusing on what truly matters, such as the company and the technology, the EIC can attract higher-quality applicants. This involves removing redundant sections and focusing on core aspects of innovation and commercial potential.

Despite its intention, the 'Need for the EIC' section often becomes generic because applicants feel pressured to tell evaluators what they want to hear. Companies avoid being realistic about their fundraising plans to avoid potential criticism. This leads to a standardized response that lacks genuine insight into the company's specific needs.

If AI evaluators heavily weigh generic sections like 'Gender and Diversity,' companies might manipulate their teams to meet demographic criteria. This could lead to superficial changes without genuine commitment to diversity. This would ultimately degrade the quality of applications and undermine the EIC's goals.

The EIC Accelerator program, funded by the European Commission and European Innovation Council, offers up to €2.5 million in grants and €10 million in equity financing to startups and SMEs. It's designed to support innovative companies in scaling up their businesses and bringing breakthrough technologies to market. Many applicants receive support from professional writers or consultants to navigate the application process.

AI tools are making it easier to generate grant proposals, leading to a significant increase in the number of submissions. This surge in applications creates an imbalance with the current manual evaluation process. The EIC will likely need to adopt AI-driven evaluation methods to manage the increased workload and maintain efficiency.

Yes, evaluators often research companies online, including their website, LinkedIn profiles, and other public data. A lack of online presence, such as a website or professional email addresses, can negatively impact your application. Ensure your company has a professional online presence before applying to create a positive impression.

The EIC Accelerator typically funds projects at TRL5 or TRL6, which often requires significant seed investments, especially for DeepTech projects. If your company hasn't raised substantial funding, it might suggest that your technology isn't yet sophisticated enough for the program. Consider seeking additional funding to reach a higher TRL before applying.

While the EIC Accelerator funds both large and small teams, very small teams (1-3 people) can face challenges. Similarly, very young companies (a few months old) may lack the customer interest and market traction needed to impress evaluators. Consider building a slightly larger team and demonstrating some market validation before applying. Spin-offs with a strong technology and market track record are an exception.