EIC Board Calls for a Bigger Budget to Boost Europe’s Deep Tech Leadership
On July 1, 2025, the European Innovation Council Board published a bold set of recommendations designed to reinforce Europe’s role as a global leader in deep tech innovation. Building on impressive early results, the Board advocates for a significantly expanded mission and budget for the EIC to keep pace with international competitors like the U.S. and China.
Why Now?
The upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) presents a strategic opportunity to scale Europe’s innovation potential. The EIC Board calls for a quadrupled budget under the next Framework Programme (FP10), proposing €7 billion for the EIC Fund alone and the creation of a new Scaleup Europe Fund to catalyse follow-on and larger investments.
Key Recommendations:
- Adopt an ARPA-inspired Challenge model for high-risk, high-reward innovation.
- Expand the EIC Fund and establish a dedicated Scaleup Fund for growth-stage financing.
- Streamline operations to improve the innovator journey and reduce administrative burdens.
- Foster stronger synergies with national and regional ecosystems.
- Maintain a framework for experimentation, particularly in strategic fields like AI, biotech, clean tech, and quantum technologies.
The EIC has already supported over 700 start-ups and SMEs, leveraging €3 in private capital for every €1 invested through the EIC Fund. These companies are driving technological advances and job creation across Europe.
The message from the EIC Board is clear: to ensure Europe’s economic security and competitiveness, we must scale what works and invest boldly in the future.
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