Twice a month, our team meets to discuss one R&D grant programme in depth. This week we covered EIC Transition, a European Innovation Council grant of up to €2.5 million. It helps teams turn results from earlier EU funded research into a validated technology and a credible business case.
What is the EIC Transition?
The EIC Transition sits between EIC Pathfinder and EIC Accelerator. It funds two things: maturing and demonstrating a technology in an environment relevant to its use, and building the business case for one specific commercial application. If you’re unsure which stage fits your project, our guide on which EIC funding scheme is right for you walks through the options.
How much funding does the EIC Transition offer?
- Up to €2.5 million per project, covering 100% of eligible costs
- Projects of one to three years
- Entry at TRL 3 or 4, aiming for TRL 5 or 6 by the end
- An open call with no set themes
- must follow on from a previously EU funded project
- Single organisations or consortia can apply
Who is eligible for the EIC Transition?
To apply, you must build on results from a previous EU funded project that appears on the eligible list. You cannot apply without that earlier funding.
Which projects can an EIC Transition build on?
- EIC Pathfinder projects, including those funded under the Horizon 2020 EIC pilot Pathfinder, FET-Open, FET-Proactive, CSA and CSA Lump sum FET Innovation Launchpad
- European Research Council Proof of Concept projects funded under Horizon 2020 or Horizon Europe
- Research and Innovation Actions funded under Horizon 2020 Societal Challenges and Leadership in Industrial Technologies, or under Horizon Europe Pillar II, with an eligible TRL
- European Defence Fund research projects, including the Preparatory Action on Defence Research, but only for proposals focused on civil applications (including dual use)
- Research and Innovation Actions funded under the Horizon 2020 or Horizon Europe Research Infrastructures part
Innovation Actions are not eligible.
What are the timing rules?
If the parent project is still running, it must have started at least 18 months before the cutoff. If it has finished, it generally needs to have ended within the last 24 months. Because of this barrier to entry, success rates are higher than the Accelerator’s. You can see the figures in our article EIC Transition explained.
How are EIC Transition proposals assessed?
You submit a 22 page proposal, which is assessed remotely. Shortlisted applicants attend an online jury interview around 11 to 13 weeks after the cutoff. Results follow roughly four weeks later. Strong proposals that miss out on funding may receive a Seal of Excellence.
What are evaluators looking for?
In 2025, more than half of applicants came from industry. The transition increasingly works as a bridge to commercial validation rather than a source of follow on research funding. As a result, academic teams now compete with companies that have sharper commercial stories. The application includes a section on investment readiness, and university teams must describe what their future spinout will look like. An independent grant application review before submission can show you whether your commercial case will hold up.
When is the next EIC Transition deadline?
The latest cutoff closed on 16 September 2026. Dates for the next round will be confirmed in the 2027 EIC Work Programme. In the meantime, our summary of what’s new in the EIC Work Programme 2026 shows the direction of travel. If you hold results from an eligible EU project and have a credible route to market, start planning now.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the EIC Transition without previous EU funding?
No. Your proposal must build on results from an eligible EU funded project, such as EIC Pathfinder or ERC Proof of Concept.
Can a university apply for the EIC Transition on its own?
Yes. Universities, research organisations, startups, SMEs and spinouts can all apply as single applicants.
Are Horizon Europe Innovation Actions eligible?
No. Innovation Actions already work at higher TRLs, so they fall outside the scope of the Transition.
What comes after the EIC Transition?
A successful Transition project can use the plug in scheme to fast track to the second stage of the EIC Accelerator.
Want to know whether your project fits? Get in touch with our team to discuss suitability.
Oliver Cressall
I help businesses unlock grant funding to fuel groundbreaking research and innovation. With expertise in both UK and European grants including Innovate UK (IUK), Eureka, Horizon Europe, UKRI, CINEA, and the European Research Council – I specialise in guiding research teams and innovation-led businesses through every stage of the grant process.
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