EIC Accelerator

⏱️ Plan ahead! To meet the March deadline, we recommend starting the short application by November. For the October deadline, begin by June.

What is the EIC Accelerator?

The EIC Accelerator is one of Europe’s flagship funding programmes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with breakthrough technologies and disruptive innovations. It targets companies with bold ideas that could create entirely new markets or significantly transform existing ones – often referred to as deep tech. The programme is part of the European Innovation Council (EIC) and aims to support innovations with the potential to scale globally, with the ambition of nurturing Europe’s next unicorns (companies valued at over €1 billion).

Who can apply?

The EIC Accelerator is open exclusively to for-profit SMEs, including start-ups and young companies, established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Applicants must have a strong business plan and the ambition to scale. While large corporations, research centres, or individual researchers cannot apply directly, they may participate as subcontractors or third parties within a project.

What type of support can a project apply for?

The EIC Accelerator provides flexible support, offering either grant-only funding or blended finance – a mix of grant and equity investment. In addition to financial backing, successful applicants gain access to free business coaching, mentoring, and a broad range of acceleration services, including connections to investors and potential partners. These services aim to enhance innovation capacity and strategic alignment between the business and its technology development.

How much funding can a project apply for?

Projects can apply for up to €2.5 million in grant funding, typically covering 70% of eligible costs plus 25% overhead, which amounts to 87.5% reimbursement in practice. In addition, projects with greater capital needs or higher risk profiles can apply for up to €10 million in equity investment through the EIC Fund. The grant component usually covers innovation development and demonstration activities, while the equity can support market deployment and scaling.

What are the evaluation criteria?

All proposals are evaluated based on three award criteria:

1. Excellence – Is the technology innovative (TRL 5/6 or higher), feasible, and protected (e.g., through patents)? Is the timing right, and is it a step beyond the current state of the art?
2. Impact – Does the innovation have strong market potential and a credible route to scale? Are there identified customers, partners, and a strategy for commercialization?
3. Quality and efficiency of implementation – Does the team have the right skills and capacity? Is there a clear, realistic implementation plan? Is the level of risk justified, and why is EU support necessary?

How does the application process work?

The EIC Accelerator has a three-step process:

1. Short application – Can be submitted at any time and is evaluated in monthly batches (every first Tuesday of the month). It includes a 3-minute pitch video, a 10-slide pitch deck, and basic company and innovation information. Feedback is typically provided within 4 to 6 weeks.
2. Full application – If the short application receives a “GO,” the applicant is invited to submit a full application by one of the two annual deadlines, usually March and October. This step requires a detailed business plan, financials, and project milestones.
3. Interview – If the full application is positively evaluated, the applicant is invited to a face-to-face interview with an expert jury to assess the team’s vision, credibility, and potential to scale.

The entire process, from full application to final decision, typically takes around 4 months, and grant agreements are usually signed within 6 months of the cut-off. So, given the timeline, applicants aiming for the March deadline should start preparing their short application by November at the latest. For the October deadline, it’s advisable to begin by June.

For full details on the evaluation procedure read the guidelines for applicants on the Horizon Funding and Tender Portal.

Can a project be resubmitted if unsuccessful?

Yes, your EIC Accelerator application can be resubmitted under certain conditions, depending on the history of the proposal.

Is the EIC Accelerator part of Horizon Europe?

Yes. For more information please visit Horizon Europe and the dedicated EIC Accelerator webpage.