EIC – European Innovation Council
European Innovation Council
The European Innovation Council is a key novelty of Horizon Europe and represents the most ambitious innovation initiative that Europe has taken, with a budget of €10 billion for the period 2021-2027.
The European Innovation Council aims to identify and support breakthrough technologies and game changing innovations to create new markets and scale up internationally
It supports all stages of innovation from R&D on the scientific underpinnings of breakthrough technologies, to validation and demonstration of breakthrough technologies and innovations to meet real world needs, to the development and scaling up of start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The funding and support is organised into three main funding schemes: the EIC Pathfinder for advanced research to develop the scientific basis to underpin breakthrough technologies; the EIC Transition to validate technologies and develop business plans for specific applications; and the EIC Accelerator to support companies (SMEs, start-ups, spin-outs and in exceptional cases small mid-caps) to bring their innovations to market and scale up. In each case, the direct financial support to innovators is augmented with access to a range of Business Acceleration Services.
EIC Pathfinder
The EIC Pathfinder supports the exploration of bold ideas for radically new technologies. It welcomes the high-risk / high gain and interdisciplinary cutting-edge science collaborations that underpin technological breakthroughs.
EIC Transition
EIC Transition funds innovation activities that go beyond the experimental proof of principle in laboratory to supports both:
– the maturation and validation of your novel technology in the lab and in relevant application environments
-the development of a business case and (business) model towards the innovation’s future commercialisation.
EIC Accelerator
The EIC Accelerator supports individual Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), in particular Startups and spinout companies to develop and scaleup game-changing innovations. In some cases small mid-caps (up to 500 employees) are supported.
The EIC Accelerator provides substantial financial support with:
-grant funding (non-dilutive) of up to €2.5 million for innovation development costs,
-investments (direct equity investments) of up to €15 million managed by the EIC Funds of the preceding for scale up and other relevant costs.
In addition, EIC selected companies receive coaching, mentoring, access to investors and corporates, and many other opportunities as part of the EIC community.
The EIC welcomes applications from innovators in all EU Member States and countries associated to the Horizon Europe programme. It particularly welcomes applications from startups and SMEs with female CEOs.
Useful links:
Eic main calls 2021
| Who can apply | What for | Open calls deadlines | Indicative Budget (EUR million) | Challenges | Call deadline(s) | Indicative Budget(EUR million) | |
| EIC Pathfinder | Consortia of at least three different independent legal entities (e.g. research organisations, universities, SMEs, industry) established in at least 3 different eligible countries. Single applicants or small consortia (two partners) may be able to apply for Pathfinder Challenges according to the call specifications. | Grants of up to EUR 3 million (open) or EUR 4 million (challenge driven) (or more if properly justified) to achieve the proof of principle and validate the scientific basis of breakthrough technology (TRL 1-4) | 19 May 2021 | 168.00 | 1. Awareness inside 2. Tools to measure & stimulate activity in brain tissue 3. Emerging Technologies in Cell & Gene Therapy 4. Novel routes to green hydrogen production 5. Engineered living materials | 27 October 2021 | 132.00 |
| EIC Transition | Single applicants (SMEs, spin-offs, start-ups, research organisations, universities) or small consortia (two to 5 partners). Applications must build on results from eligible Pathfinder, FET or ERC Proof of Concept projects | Grants of up to EUR 2.5 million (or more if properly justified) to validate and demonstrate technology in applicationrelevant environment (TRL 4 to 5/6) and develop market readiness | 22 September 2021 | 59.60 | 1. Medical devices 2. Energy harvesting and storage technologies | 22 September 2021 | 40.50 |
| EIC Accelerator | Single Start-ups and SMEs (including spin-outs), individuals (intending to launch a start-up/ SME) and in exceptional cases small mid-caps (fewer than 500 employees) | Blended finance: up to EUR 2.5 million grant component for technology development and validation (TRL 5/6 to 8); EUR 0.5 - 15 million investment component for scaling up and other activities.Grant only/grant first under certain conditions. Investment component only for small mid-caps or as follow up to grant only (i.e. for SMEs, including start-ups) | Any time (short applications) Full applications by 9 June 2021 and 6 October 2021 | 592.50 | 1. Strategic Health and Digital Technologies 2. Green Deal innovations for the economic recovery | Any time (short applications) Full applications by 16 June 2021 and 6 October 2021 | 495.10 |