GrantRadar

European Innovation Council (European Commission, Horizon Europe)

EIC Accelerator

The EU's Horizon Europe programme for start-ups and SMEs developing and scaling up game-changing innovations at technology readiness levels 6 to 8, through EIC Accelerator Open (any field of technology) and EIC Accelerator Challenges (pre-defined topics). UK applicants can apply but can only request and receive the 'grant only' form of support: a lump sum of up to EUR 2,499,999, covering at most 70% of total eligible costs, for innovation activities completed within 24 months. Short proposals can be sent at any time; successful ones go on to a full proposal at periodic cut-offs and a jury interview. Winners also get Business Acceleration Services such as coaching, mentoring and access to partners.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Amount not specified
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Heavy
budgets, references, often several stages

Who can apply

  • A single start-up or SME (including spin-outs) established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country; the United Kingdom is eligible, but UK applicants can only request and receive grant-only funding
  • One or more natural persons or legal entities intending to set up an SME may also apply, but the company must be established before the Accelerator contract is signed
  • Third-country companies can become eligible by establishing or relocating to a Member State or Associated Country before submitting the full proposal
  • Small mid-caps (up to 499 employees) can apply for blended finance or investment only, not grant only, so they are not eligible from the UK
  • Grant-only applicants must show they have sufficient financial means (for example revenue, existing investors or shareholders) to finance deployment and scale-up, and must demonstrate the need for EU support
  • Only one proposal to the Accelerator (or STEP Scale-up) can be under evaluation at a time

What it funds

Innovations that could create new markets or disrupt existing ones, developed by start-ups and SMEs ready to scale up:

  • Innovation activities at TRL 6 to 8 (grant only), to be completed within 24 months
  • EIC Grant component covering a maximum of 70% of total eligible costs of TRL 6-8 activities, as a lump sum contribution
  • Business Acceleration Services, including access to partners, coaches, mentors and an innovation ecosystem

Blended finance (grant plus equity or quasi-equity of EUR 1-10 million) and investment only are also offered, but UK companies are only eligible for grant only support. Grant-only support can be received once during Horizon Europe (2021-2027).

What it will not fund

  • Activities above TRL 8 under the grant component
  • Innovations that have not completed all aspects of TRL 5 (validation in relevant environment)
  • Equity or blended finance for UK companies (grant only)
  • Grant-only support for small mid-caps
  • Concurrent submissions: a second proposal before the result of the first
  • New proposals from beneficiaries of an ongoing EIC Accelerator, EIC Accelerator Pilot or SME instrument project

How to apply

  1. Submit a short proposal at any time: a 12-page form, a pitch deck of up to 10 slides (PDF) and a video pitch of up to 3 minutes by up to three core team members; proposals are batched at 5pm Brussels time on the first Tuesday of each month
  2. Four remote EIC experts evaluate the short proposal; feedback comes about 4-6 weeks after batching, and a GO lets you submit a full proposal
  3. Submit the full proposal on the EU Funding & Tenders portal by a cut-off date, choosing grant only: proposal form, pitch deck, financial information, lump sum budget table, implementation plan, Freedom to Operate analysis, Letters of Intent, links to CVs and a 3-minute video
  4. Remote experts assess the full proposal; results come about 8-9 weeks after the cut-off, and the top proposals are invited to an interview with an EIC Jury
  5. After a positive jury decision, sign the Grant Agreement and receive pre-financing

2026 full-proposal cut-offs were 7 Jan, 4 Mar, 6 May, 8 Jul, 2 Sep and 4 Nov 2026 (5pm Brussels time). The EIC FAQ says full proposals can be submitted in 2027 on dates to be set in the 2027 EIC Work Programme.

Help is available from National Contact Points; proposals that pass the threshold but are not selected can receive a Seal of Excellence.

Have ready

  • Short proposal form (12 pages maximum)
  • Pitch deck (up to 10 slides, PDF)
  • Video pitch (up to 3 minutes)
  • Full proposal form
  • Financial information
  • Lump sum budget table
  • Implementation plan
  • Freedom to Operate analysis
  • Letters of Intent
  • Links to CVs of key personnel

The full-proposal documents are needed only after a GO on the short proposal. Grant-only applicants in Challenge 4 (or related open proposals) also upload an ownership and control declaration.

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