European Innovation Council 2026

EIC Transition supports the maturation and validation of innovative technologies derived from EU-funded research results, helping them progress towards market readiness. The scheme targets projects that build on outcomes from EIC Pathfinder, ERC Proof of Concept or other eligible collaborative research actions, and provides grant funding to advance technology development, prototyping, testing and business case definition. EIC Transition is designed to reduce both technological and commercial risks, enabling research teams, start-ups and SMEs to prepare for successful market uptake, investment and follow-up funding.

 

EIC Accelerator supports start-ups and SMEs developing high-impact, innovative products, services or business models with the potential to create new markets or significantly disrupt existing ones. The scheme targets close-to-market innovation and provides financial support in the form of grant funding and/or blended finance, including equity investment through the EIC Fund. EIC Accelerator helps companies to scale up, attract private investment, and bring their innovations successfully to the European and global markets, while also offering access to tailored coaching and EIC Business Acceleration Services.

 

EIC Pre-Accelerator supports early-stage start-ups and SMEs, particularly from widening and emerging innovation ecosystems, that are developing promising deep-tech and high-impact innovations. The scheme provides grant funding to help companies strengthen their business case, mature their technology, validate their market strategy and improve their investment readiness. EIC Pre-Accelerator aims to prepare beneficiaries for follow-on funding, including the EIC Accelerator and other public or private investment opportunities, while facilitating integration into the European innovation ecosystem.

 

EIC STEP Scale Up supports innovative scale-ups developing strategic technologies that are critical for Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy. The scheme is designed to help companies accelerate their growth, scale industrial production and bring breakthrough technologies to the market by facilitating access to significant private and public investment. EIC STEP Scale Up complements existing EIC instruments by focusing on later-stage companies with proven technologies, strong market traction and ambitious scale-up plans, contributing to the strengthening of the European deep-tech and industrial ecosystem.

 

Advanced Innovation Challenges Pilot supports the development and deployment of breakthrough innovations addressing strategically important challenges for the European Union. The pilot targets high-potential projects that build on advanced technologies and aim to deliver concrete solutions with strong economic and societal impact within clearly defined challenge areas. Through targeted funding and close portfolio management, the Advanced Innovation Challenges Pilot helps innovators accelerate market uptake, reduce implementation risks and contribute to EU priorities such as competitiveness, sustainability and strategic autonomy.