A strategy to increase your chances of winning EIC Accelerator grant funding based on a proven pathway.
What is EIC Accelerator?
EIC Accelerator is the most competitive R&D grant funding programme in Europe. Offering €2.5m in grant funding + €15m in equity funding, EIC Accelerator success rates have dipped below 3% in 2025. Here we lay out a pathway to securing EIC Accelerator grant funding for high-growth potential SMEs that improves the chance of success.
What is the EIC Accelerator Application Process?
The standard route to securing EIC Accelerator grant funding is:
- Stage 1: Short Application + 3min Video + Pitch Deck
- Stage 2: Full Application + Supporting Evidence
- Stage 3: In-person Interview
Applications for Stage 1 can be submitted at any time (rolling deadline) and have a decision time of 4-8 weeks. Stage 1 applications are reviewed by 4 assessors, each of whom provide feedback and a ‘GO’ or ‘NO-GO’ verdict. Applicants need at least 3 ‘GOs’ at EIC Accelerator Stage 1 to be eligible to apply for EIC Accelerator Stage 2.
Insight: The data shows that 4 ‘GOs’ at Stage 1 gives applicants a higher chance of winning EIC Accelerator grant funding overall.
Stage 2 deadlines are published in advance with no flexibility. In recent years there have been two deadlines each year, but 2026 will see 6 EIC Accelerator Stage 2 deadlines. Stage 2 applicants need to achieve a score of 9/9 across three assessment areas (excellence, impact, implementation) to be invited to interview.
Insight: More deadlines does equate to more overall funding being available in 2026 and more flexibility on when SMEs can submit their applications.
Interviews (Stage 3), are in-person in Brussels.
The whole process of applying for EIC Accelerator takes between 6 and 12 months, accounting for writing time, waiting time and potential redrafts / resubmissions.
Insight: On average, 18% of applicants who were successful at Stage 2 went on to secure EIC Accelerator funding at interview (Stage 3) in 2024.
What is the average success rate for EIC Accelerator?
The European Innovation publishes regular statistical updates on EICA success rates by stage and by country. Here is a table summarising the average success rates for EIC Accelerator in recent years:
| Year | Programme | Full proposals | Interviews | Funded companies | Full → Interview (%) | Interview → Funded (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | EICA | 1910 | 500 | 162 | 26.1% | 32.4% |
| 2022 | EICA | 2006 | 506 | 152 | 25.2% | 30.0% |
| 2023 | EICA | 2758 | 680 | 172 | 24.7% | 25.3% |
| 2024 | EICA | 2180 | 778 | 139 | 35.7% | 17.9% |
How can I improve my chances of EIC Accelerator Success?
There are alternative routes to securing EIC Accelerator grant funding that increase your chances of success. The goal is to arrive at the EIC Accelerator Stage 2 application milestone with a demonstrable advantage over the competition.
EIC Pathfinder is a collaborative, early TRL R&D grant offering up to €2m in grant funding for up to 3 partners. Working with an academic partner, your SME can apply for EIC Pathfinder to de-risk the early stages of technology development. Successful applicants to EIC Pathfinder can by-pass the EIC Accelerator Stage 1 application, effectively achieving 4 ‘GOs’, and thus improving their chance of success.
Technology Readiness Levels are a way to track your progress from ideation to market launch. EIC Pathfinder targets early TRLs – read more about TRLs here.
Insight: EIC Pathfinder offers up to €2m in grant funding and increases the chance of securing EIC Accelerator funding by de-risking early-stage R&D.
EUREKA Eurostars offers up to €1.75m collaborative R&D grant funding for consortiums of between 2 and 5 partners from 2 or more European countries. A successfully delivered Eurostars project also opens up the opportunity to ‘fast track’ to EIC Accelerator Stage 2.
Read more about the Fast Track pathway.
Insight: Eurostars has a published success rate of 29%, offers €360k grant funding per partner AND applicants to EIC Accelerator that come through the Eurostars Fast Track have a higher average success rate with EIC Accelerator.
Specific Grants such as the EIC Pre-Accelerator and some national grants, qualify applicants for the EIC Accelerator Stage 2 automatically. For example, EIC Pre-Accelerator offers €500k in funding and is intended as a gateway to EIC Accelerator.
Here is a list of national funds that can qualify you for the fast track and/or Plug In Schemes.
Insight: EIC Accelerator Grant Assessors are more inclined to approve applications for funding if applicants have been successful in previous grant funded projects.
What is a Good Strategy for success in EIC Accelerator?
We are supporting (suitable) SMEs in applying for multiple grants that offer an advantage when it comes to securing funding from EIC Accelerator. Working strategically, we are targeting multiple ‘gateway grants’ such as Eurostars and EIC Pathfinder, that not only offer funding themselves, but also lay the foundations for a winning application for EIC Accelerator (fast track to Stage 2).
In short, enroute to EIC Accelerator, your SME could secure and deliver 3 R&D grant funded projects with a value over €4m before then standing an improved chance of winning €2.5m grant + €15m equity funding from EIC Accelerator.
If you are interested to discuss your specific suitability for EIC Accelerator, Eurostars, EIC Pathfinder, and other grants, please contact us.
Alex Chalkley
I have over 20 years experience in founding and scaling businesses, mainly focused on the non-dilutive funding sector. Since 2008, I have built, trained and mentored teams to successfully draw down over €100m in non-dilutive funding from the UK and EU for clients spanning multiple sectors.
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