EIC - European Innovation Council programmes

European Innovation Council (EIC) Funding

Secure funding from the European Innovation Council to develop, validate, and scale breakthrough innovations with global market potential.

Download our Funding Guide

The European Innovation Council (EIC) is the European Union’s flagship programme supporting high-risk, high-impact innovations that can create new markets or disrupt existing ones.

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Flexible, blended funding

For breakthrough innovation and deep-tech scale-up projects.

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Grant & equity support

Including non-dilutive grants and equity via the EIC Fund, depending on the programme.

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Multiple calls each year

Defined annually in the EIC Work Programme, with several cut-off dates.

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Support for high-impact innovators

For startups, SMEs, scale-ups, universities, research centres, and spin-offs across sectors.

+€10B

budget under HE

6

Main EIC programmes & instruments

2021-27

HE Framework

At Evolution Europe, we have extensive experience supporting innovators in European Innovation Council programmes, guiding you at every stage to maximise your chances of securing EIC funding.

About the EIC (European Innovation Council)

The European Innovation Council operates under Horizon Europe to identify, develop, and scale ground-breaking technologies and innovations with strong commercial and societal impact.

The EIC combines financial support with strategic guidance to help innovators grow internationally and attract private investment.

Who can participate (beneficiary entities)

Depending on the programme or instrument, EIC funding is available to:

Startups and SMEs, including deep-tech companies (EIC Accelerator, EIC Pre-Accelerator)
Scale-ups with high growth potential, particularly in strategic technologies (EIC Accelerator, EIC STEP Scale Up)
Universities, research organisations, and consortia, mainly under early-stage and challenge-driven schemes (EIC Pathfinder, EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges)
Innovators and spin-offs transitioning technologies from research to market (EIC Transition)

Eligibility rules, scope, and conditions are defined annually in the EIC Work Programme.

European Innovation Council programmes

The European Innovation Council is structured around six main programmes and instruments, covering the full innovation lifecycle:

EIC Pathfinder – Early-stage research and breakthrough technologies, typically through collaborative projects
EIC Transition – Technology validation and maturation towards commercial readiness
EIC Accelerator – Funding for startups and SMEs to scale innovation through grant, equity, or blended finance
EIC STEP Scale Up – Support for late-stage scale-ups developing strategic technologies aligned with EU priorities
EIC Pre-Accelerator – Early support for emerging innovators, particularly from widening countries, to prepare for EIC Accelerator
EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges – Challenge-driven calls targeting specific strategic and societal priorities

Each programme’s scope, budget, eligibility rules, and evaluation criteria are detailed in the EIC Work Programme.

Funding conditions

Funding conditions vary by programme and call, but may include:

Grants of up to €2.5M(EIC Accelerator, EIC Transition, EIC Pre-Accelerator)
Equity investments of up to €15M via the EIC Fund (EIC Accelerator)
Equity investments of up to €30M to catalyse 3–5× larger private rounds (EIC STEP Scale Up)
Blended finance, combining grant and equity (EIC Accelerator only)
Challenge-driven or Open calls, depending on the instrument
Strong emphasis on excellence, impact, scalability, and EU strategic relevance

Timeline, calls, deadlines

Calls and cut-off dates are published annually in the EIC Work Programme
Multiple cut-off dates per year for EIC Accelerator and STEP Scale Up
Fixed deadlines for Pathfinder, Transition, Pre-Accelerator, and Advanced Innovation Challenges

Check official deadlines on the EIC website.

EIC application process

There is no single, standard application process for all EIC programmes, as requirements and steps vary depending on the programme or instrument and may change from one EIC Work Programme to another.

However, the application process generally includes the following steps:

Eligibility and strategic fit assessment
Programme and instrument positioning
Consortium creation and partner structuring (where applicable)
Project structuring aligned with EIC evaluation criteria
Proposal preparation and submission via the EU F&T portal
Remote evaluation and interviews (where applicable, notably EIC Accelerator)
Grant Agreement and/or equity investment process
Project implementation, monitoring, and reporting

EIC applications are highly competitive and time-intensive, requiring strong alignment with strict evaluation criteria. Evolution Europe manages most of the technical and strategic heavy lifting, helping you submit a compelling, evaluation-ready proposal while you focus on your innovation.

Obtain EIC funding for your project

At Evolution Europe, our EIC support is delivered by PhDs, engineers, and finance experts with extensive experience across European Innovation Council programmes and instruments.
We guide you through every stage of the EIC application and project lifecycle, combining strategic insight with technical and financial excellence.

Opportunity identification

We start with a free eligibility diagnostic, assessing your technology, business model, and maturity against EIC criteria.

Our support includes:

Strategic fit analysis across EIC Accelerator, Transition, Pathfinder, STEP Scale Up, Pre-Accelerator, and Challenges
Continuous monitoring of calls and cut-offs under the EIC Work Programme
Guidance on priorities, challenges, and programme updates
Strategic positioning to maximise evaluation scores

2. Application support

We provide end-to-end support for your EIC application, covering all required dimensions.

This includes:

Proposal writing support and optimisation
Business strategy, work plan refining, and financial modelling
Impact, scalability, and market analysis
Pitch deck improvement and visual redesign
Management of the 3-minute EIC video when applicable (script, storyboard, and edits)
Interview and pitch training aligned with EIC evaluation standards

Submission and grant agreement

We manage the full submission process and all interactions with the European Commission.
After approval, we support:

Grant Agreement preparation and validation
Budget refinements and financial negotiations
Legal documentation and certificates
Consortium arrangements (if applicable)
Smooth transition from approval to project launch

Project management

We continue supporting you throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring compliance and efficient execution.

Our services include:

Technical and financial reporting
Budget tracking and cost eligibility
Audit preparation and support
Administrative communication with EIC bodies
Monitoring until project closure

Need help choosing the right EIC programme or understanding the EIC Work Programme?

Our consultants will explain everything you need to know about EIC programmes in detail.

EIC funding programmes

EIC Accelerator

Bring your deep-tech innovation to market with blended EU funding and investment.

Get up to €2.5 million in grant and €0.5–15 million in equity (or blended finance).
For startups and SMEs with technologies at TRL 6–8, ready to scale and commercialise globally.

EIC Transition

Bridge the gap from proof of concept to market-ready innovation with EU support.

Get up to €2.5 million in grant funding to advance your technology and business model.
For startups, SMEs, spin-offs, and research teams with technologies at TRL 4–5, aiming to reach TRL 6–8 and validate market readiness.

EIC Pathfinder

Turn visionary science into tomorrow’s breakthrough technologies with EU support.

Get up to €4 million in grant funding (or more if duly justified) to develop the scientific foundations of radically new technologies and validate their proof of principle (TRL 1–4).
For research consortia, universities, research organisations, startups and SMEs ready to pursue high-risk, high-gain deep-tech research and lay the groundwork for future market-creating innovations.

EIC STEP Scale Up

Scale your strategic tech company with major EU equity investment through the EIC STEP programme.

Get €10–30 million in equity to drive industrial deployment and growth in deep-tech or critical technologies.
For startups, SMEs, and small mid-caps, aiming to scale in key strategic areas for Europe.

EIC Pre-Accelerator

Prepare early-stage innovations for future EIC Accelerator success.

Get targeted grant support to strengthen technology, business strategy, and investment readiness.
For early-stage startups, spin-offs, and innovators, particularly from widening countries, with TRL 4–5 technologies.

EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges

Address Europe’s most pressing strategic and societal challenges with breakthrough innovation.

Get grant funding aligned with challenge-specific budgets defined in the EIC Work Programme.
For consortia, startups, SMEs, universities, and research organisations developing disruptive solutions to defined EU challenges.

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“Evolution Europe’s support came at exactly the right time. We now have the resources to directly funnel our learnings into building the industrial solution.”

Dr. Jan-Philipp Mai, co-founder of Solar Materials

“Evolution Europe’s expertise and proactive support were crucial for our EIC Accelerator success. Their investment in our readiness for any questions sets them apart. I highly recommend their team for their expertise, professionalism, and practical approach.”

Chuxin Liu, CEO of Nobula

“Evolution was instrumental in improving and refining our business model and marketing strategy. In addition, the proposal was written to a very high standard; we could not have achieved this without Evolution’s help.”

Fadhil Musa, co-founder of Delox

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“Evolution Europe’s guidance was essential in helping us secure EIC Transition funding. Their expertise bridged the gap between our innovation and commercialization, empowering us to push boundaries and shape tomorrow’s innovations.”

Jonathan Noé, CEO and co-founder of Qlibri

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“Evolution Europe was key to our success. Their deep knowledge, hands-on support, and pitch training helped us through all phases of the EIC process—and their guidance continues even after funding. Highly recommended for their professionalism and friendly approach.”

Ana Hernando Ariza COO & Co-Founder, Bionomous

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“Competent, organized and very professional. Evolution is a machine, ever-producing EIC Accelerator winners!”

Fadhil Musa, co-founder of Delox

EIC Accelerator & SME Instrument Health

Novelrad – NVCD

EIC Transition Digital, industry and space

QLIBRI – QlibriNANO

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What types of projects does the EIC fund?

High-risk, high-impact innovations, including deep tech, breakthrough technologies, and strategic EU priorities.

Who can apply to the EIC?

Startups, SMEs, scale-ups, universities, research organisations, spin-offs, and consortia, depending on the programme or instrument.

What is blended finance under the EIC?

A combination of grant funding and equity investment provided through the EIC Fund.

How long does the EIC evaluation process take?

Typically between 3 and 6 months, depending on the programme or instrument.

What is the EIC Work Programme?

The official annual document defining European Innovation Council programmes, instruments, eligibility rules, budgets, and evaluation criteria.

Ready to secure EIC funding for your project?

Get your free consultation. Contact us

European Innovation Council (EIC) Funding