Funding
EIC Accelerator
European Innovation Council
Develop and scaleup innovations with the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones (TRL 5-9).
What is this programme about?
EIC Accelerator is a grant funding programme under Horizon Europe. It helps ambitious start-ups and SMEs to develop and scale up innovations that could create new markets or disrupt existing ones, and to secure substantial funding where risks are too high.
Who can apply for EIC Accelerator?
Start-ups and SMEs, individuals intending to launch a SME from participating Horizon Europe countries. Existing Horizon Europe or Horizon 2020 projects or projects funded from certain national R&D funding bodies can skip step 1 of the application process (Fast-Track / Plug-In schemes).
Key Facts
Who can apply
Start-ups and SMEs, individuals intending to launch a SME. Single applications only.
Funding calls
Applications can be submitted throughout the year.
Purpose
To develop and scale up disruptive, ambitious innovations.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
TRL5 – TRL9
Funding Amount
Up to €2.5million grant (TRL5-8)
Up to €15m equity (TRL9 only, not UK)
Funding Rate
70%
Timeframe
1-3 months
Process
- Short proposal, pitch deck and pitch video.
- Full proposal.
- In-person interview in Brussels.
What are the key topics or sectors covered?
Projects can either be in any field of technology for EIC Accelerator Open or covered under pre-defined topics of the EIC Accelerator Challenges. For 2024 these are:
- Renewable energy sources and their whole value chain
- Human Centric Generative AI
- Enabling virtual worlds and augmented interaction in high-impact applications to support the realisation of Industry 5.0
- Enabling the smart edge and quantum technology components
- Food from precision fermentation and algae
- Monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for new variants of emerging viruses
Useful Resources
We have collated some useful resources if you are considering applying for EIC Accelerator:
