European Innovation Council (EIC)

Identifying and supporting breakthrough technologies and game changing innovations

The European Innovation Council (EIC) aims at identifying and supporting breakthrough technologies and game changing innovations with the potential to scale up internationally and become market leaders. EIC is organised into three main grant schemes: Pathfinder, Transition and Accelerator.

All of them provide for ‘Open’ funding which can support technologies and innovations in any field without any predefined priority areas. In the case of Pathfinder and Accelerator, this Open funding is complemented by a set of “Challenges” which focus on specific technologies and innovations of strategic interest for the European Union, including to support initiatives such as Net Zero Industry and Critical Raw Materials.

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EIC in short

Intended audience Intended audience

Organizations (mainly SMEs) with a geographic origin in one of the EU Member States or Associated Countries.

Type of funding Type of funding

Public funding.

Total budget Total budget

10.1 billion euros for 2021-2027 period.

EIC themes

The EIC has three main grant schemes:

Supports early stage development of future technologies (for example various activities at low Technology Readiness Levels 1-4), based on high-risk/high-gain science-towards-technology breakthrough research (including ‘deep-tech’).

The funding amounts to 100% of the project costs up to a maximum of 3 million euros or 4 million euros, depending on the type of project, and is intended for demonstrating the working principle (“proof of concept”) and validating the scientific basis of breakthrough technology (Technology Readiness Levels 1-4).

Supports transforming research results into innovation opportunities both technologically and business wise. Proposals must build on projects that have previously received EU funding. The funding amounts to 100% of the project costs up to a maximum of 2.5 million euros for validating and demonstrating technology in application-relevant environments and developing market readiness.

Supports companies to scale up high impact innovations with the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones. Depending on the stage your innovation is at, you can apply for different forms of funding:

  • grant only: if the activity involves a mainly technological innovation, a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6-8 is a requirement. Projects receive between 0.5 and 2.5 million euros in grant funding.
  • ‘blended finance’: in addition to the grant, there is the possibility of an optional equity investment. The grant funds activities from TRL 6-8. Activities above TRL 8 are only eligible for blended finance. The maximum equity investment is 15 million euros.

Is your project eligible for funding?

To be eligible for EIC, at least the following conditions apply:

  • Pathfinder: participation is possible in general consortia of at least three different independent legal entities (e.g. research organisations, universities, SMEs, industry) established in at least three different eligible countries and with at least one of them established in a Member State.
  • Transition: participation is possible as single applicants (SMEs, spin-offs, start-ups, research organisations, universities) or small consortia of two to five partners. There are various modalities to apply for a grant:
    • as a single legal entity: you must be established in a Member State or an Associated Country (‘mono-beneficiary’)
    • as a small consortium of two independent legal entities from two different Member States or Associated Countries
    • as a consortium of minimum three and maximum five independent legal entities (‘multi-beneficiary’) which must include at least one legal entity established in a Member State and at least two other independent legal entities, each established in different Member States or Associated Countries.
  • Accelerator: applicants can be single start-ups, SMEs (including spin-outs), individuals (intending to launch a start-up/SME). ‘Small mid-cap’ (up to 500 employees) can apply for rapid scale-up purposes (e.g. Technology Readiness Level 9) and only for the investment component. They must be established within a Member State or an Associated Country.

35+
SMEs supported for EIC funding yearly

+50
innovation business plans developed

How can PNO Innovation help you with your EIC application?

Our experts can discuss your project with you and help you to further shape your innovation. And of course, we are of service to you when drawing up a promising application for the EIC grant scheme.

A few of our EIC experts

Start your EIC application

Let us guide you through the complex EIC application procedures. Please fill out the form below so we can help you draft your application efficiently.

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