Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a key difference is that Phase 2 (EIC Accelerator) includes an in-person interview as part of the evaluation process. This interview is a critical step before final grant approval. Prepare to thoroughly defend your proposal and answer questions from the evaluation panel.

Phase 1 focused on feasibility studies, providing smaller grants for initial project assessment. Phase 2 (EIC Accelerator) supports the actual implementation of technical and commercial developments. Think of Phase 1 as testing the waters and Phase 2 as building the ship.

The official funding threshold for Phase 1 was 13 out of 15 points. Phase 2 (EIC Accelerator) requires a slightly lower threshold of 12 out of 15 points. However, remember that competition is fierce, so aiming for a score well above the threshold is crucial.

Phase 1 proposals were limited to a concise 10-page document. Phase 2 (EIC Accelerator) allows for a more detailed 30-page proposal. Use this extra space to fully elaborate on your project's technical aspects, commercial strategy, and team expertise.

Phase 1 of the SME Instrument, which offered €50,000 grants, was discontinued after September 2019. The focus shifted to the larger-scale Phase 2, now known as the EIC Accelerator. This means the EIC Accelerator is the primary funding option for SMEs seeking substantial support.

While the application templates share similarities, there are significant variations. Phase 2 (EIC Accelerator) requires more in-depth information and justification due to the larger funding amount. Pay close attention to the specific requirements of the EIC Accelerator template to ensure your proposal is complete and competitive.

Since Phase 1 is no longer available, consider alternative methods for assessing your project's feasibility. This could include conducting market research, developing a prototype, or seeking feedback from potential customers and investors. Use these insights to strengthen your EIC Accelerator proposal.

You can find more detailed NASA descriptions of TRLs, including differentiations for software and hardware, in the NASA PDF document. This document provides significantly more information compared to the EC definitions, offering valuable insights for your application.

In the simplified TRL descriptions, 'components' refer to individual features or parts of the technology. The 'system' represents the complete technology, whether it's hardware or software. Validating components is a step towards validating the entire system.

The level of detail required for describing the current TRL, especially TRL 6, in an EIC Accelerator application can be quite individual. Focus on justifying your chosen TRL based on the specific questions in the official EIC Accelerator template. Provide clear evidence and data to support your claim.

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable if the official TRL keywords don't precisely match your innovation. The important thing is to demonstrate a clear understanding of the technology's development stage. Focus on the underlying principles and provide a strong justification for your chosen TRL.

The 'environment' refers to the testing conditions. It progresses from simplified (non-realistic) to simulated (replicating real-life) to real (actual field applications). This progression demonstrates increasing confidence in the technology's performance.

The official TRL definitions are provided by both NASA and the European Commission, ranging from TRL 1 (basic principles observed) to TRL 9 (actual system proven in operational environment). While similar, NASA's descriptions offer more detailed information. Applicants should consult both to understand the nuances.

Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are a system for classifying the maturity of a technology. They range from basic principles being observed to the actual system being proven in an operational environment. These levels help assess the stage of development of an innovation, especially in research and development contexts.

The European Commission uses TRLs to evaluate the maturity of technologies applying for funding through the EIC Accelerator. Understanding TRLs helps applicants accurately represent the current stage of their innovation. This allows the EC to assess the project's feasibility and potential for success.

You can simplify TRLs by focusing on the progression from idea to proven system. Consider stages like 'Idea stage,' 'Components validated (simulated environment),' and 'System complete and proven.' This simplified approach can be easier to apply to diverse technologies and business models.

Besides understanding TRLs, you can explore resources on choosing a good project for the EIC Accelerator. Also, look for general descriptions on how TRL levels are considered in an application. Finally, seek out design resources to help with the overall proposal design.

You can find information about current EU policies and directives on the official EU website. Look for documents related to the specific areas your project addresses, such as climate change, employment, or innovation. Understanding these policies is crucial for aligning your project with EU priorities.

No, the EU is not solely focused on financial returns. They are equally interested in projects that create positive social and environmental impact. Projects that contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future for Europe are highly valued.

Boosting innovation is a key objective for the EU. Projects that introduce new technologies, develop innovative solutions, and drive economic growth are highly valued. Highlight the innovative aspects of your project and its potential to contribute to technological advancement.

While ROI is important, the EU also heavily considers the project's alignment with current EU policies, directives, and agreements. Highlighting how your project addresses key issues and contributes to the EU's broader goals will significantly strengthen your application. Make sure to research current EU priorities.

The EU prioritizes projects that offer long-term social, environmental, and economic benefits for Europe. This includes addressing climate change, reducing unemployment, boosting innovation, promoting gender equality, integrating ethnic minorities, ensuring sustainability, improving infrastructure, and facilitating the adoption of future technologies. Demonstrating these broader impacts is crucial for a successful application.

Research current EU policies and directives to identify relevant issues. Then, clearly outline in your application how your project addresses these issues and contributes to the EU's broader goals. Demonstrating a clear understanding of the EU's priorities is key.

The EU is interested in projects that promote gender equality, integrate ethnic minorities, and reduce unemployment. Projects that create opportunities for marginalized communities and contribute to a more inclusive society are highly regarded. Be sure to highlight these aspects in your application.

Yes, environmental sustainability is a major priority for the EU. Projects that address climate change, promote sustainable practices, and protect the environment are strongly favored. Demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility is essential.

Improving infrastructure is an important consideration for the EU. Projects that enhance transportation, communication networks, and other essential infrastructure are often supported. These projects contribute to economic development and improve the quality of life for European citizens.

While a strong business proposition is important, it's not enough on its own. The EU also wants to see that your project aligns with their broader goals for social, environmental, and economic development in Europe. Showcasing this alignment is key to securing funding.

The timeline for writing a grant proposal can vary depending on the complexity of the project and the specific requirements of the grant. However, we work efficiently to deliver high-quality proposals within a reasonable timeframe. We'll discuss the estimated timeline during our initial consultation.

Absolutely. We understand that every project is unique. Our approach involves crafting a proposal that is specifically tailored to your business model, technological developments, and market. This personalized approach ensures that your proposal accurately reflects the value and potential of your project.

If your proposal is rejected, don't worry! Our services include resubmissions. We'll analyze the feedback, revise the proposal accordingly, and resubmit it through the EC portal. We're committed to helping you secure funding, even if it takes more than one attempt.

We offer a free 20-minute consultation to assess your project's suitability for grant funding. This allows us to understand your project's goals and determine if it aligns with current funding opportunities. Simply fill out the form in the contact section to schedule your consultation.

Yes, absolutely! Once the grant proposal is written, it's yours to keep and reuse. You can adapt it for presentations to investors, applications for other grants, or even to share with potential partners involved in your project, making it a valuable asset.

During the initial consultation, we'll discuss the specific information needed for your proposal. Generally, you'll need to provide details about your project's goals, methodology, budget, and team. We'll guide you through the process and help you gather the necessary information.

The first step is to schedule a free 20-minute consultation. This allows us to discuss your project in detail and determine the best approach for your grant proposal. You can find the contact form on our website to request your consultation.

While the EC provides templates, they are often very general and lack specific guidance on crafting high-quality content. A professional grant writer can tailor the proposal to your unique project, ensuring it addresses all the necessary criteria and stands out from the competition, which is crucial for success.

Our grant writing services are comprehensive. We handle the entire proposal, including project design and definition, create a professional company profile document, and write a compelling abstract. We also manage the submission process through the EC portal and handle any necessary resubmissions if the proposal is initially rejected.

Professional grant writers understand what evaluators are looking for in a proposal. They can help you craft compelling content that highlights the strengths of your project, something that general templates often miss. This expertise significantly increases your chances of securing funding by presenting your project in the most effective way possible.

The key is to strike a balance between restrictive instructions that align with the EIC's evaluation process and the ability to integrate critical data. The AI should be adaptable enough to handle varying levels of input quality and detail, ensuring that the final proposal is both comprehensive and tailored to the applicant's specific circumstances.

The EIC Accelerator, offered by the European Commission and the European Innovation Council, provides funding to startups and SMEs. It offers up to €2.5 million in grant funding and €10 million in equity financing, totaling a potential €12.5 million per project. This funding supports innovative projects with high growth potential.

AI tools can significantly enhance productivity in grant writing. They can be used for researching proposal information, structuring the proposal based on EIC templates, and even writing sections by restructuring existing documents like pitch decks. These tools can save time and effort, especially for applicants who are busy building their businesses.

Companies often lack the specific data needed for a comprehensive EIC Accelerator application, such as a complete customer list or a clear overview of their Unique Selling Points (USPs). Unlike a consultant who can develop this information from scratch, AI struggles to extract details that the company itself doesn't readily provide.

The time saved varies depending on how much work the applicant puts in. Using existing data can save up to 99% of the time, while filling out a template beforehand can save around 90%. Even generating sections individually can still save about 70% of the time compared to writing without AI.

If the AI lacks sufficient data, it should either add placeholders or be vague, depending on the specific section and context. This allows the applicant to later fill in the missing information or refine the vague statements with more specific details during the editing process.

One of the biggest challenges is extracting detailed information from the applicant company. EIC proposals require a high level of detail, which may not be readily available. AI tools need a frictionless way to gather this data, otherwise, the process becomes as time-consuming as writing the proposal manually.

There are two main approaches: having the applicant fill out a detailed template or using less detail and relying on placeholders in the AI-generated proposal. The first requires more work from the applicant, while the second may result in a less detailed and potentially weaker proposal.

The tradeoff is between the amount of work the applicant puts in and the quality of the proposal. Providing more data to the AI results in a more detailed and tailored proposal, while providing less data saves time but may lead to a less competitive application. It's about balancing effort and potential reward.

Usability comes down to effective prompting and high-quality input data. The AI should be adaptable, versatile, and capable of handling both structured and unstructured data. It should also be able to add placeholders or be vague when data is missing, depending on the context.

The EIC Accelerator program, backed by the European Commission and EIC, provides funding to startups and SMEs for DeepTech innovations. It offers up to €2.5 million in grant funding and up to €10 million in equity financing, totaling a potential €12.5 million per project.

The EIC could include a clause in the Grant Agreement stating that if a grant recipient is acquired by a non-EU entity within 10 years of receiving the grant, the grant converts to a loan and must be repaid with interest. This discourages the loss of EU DeepTech to other territories and returns the grant funding if a foreign acquisition occurs.

If a grant recipient establishes a new US or Chinese subsidiary within 2 years after completing the grant project, the grant could convert to a loan and require repayment with interest. This encourages companies to prioritize scaling in Europe before expanding to other markets.