The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a cornerstone of the EU’s efforts to drive innovation and support the next generation of technological advancements. Through its Pathfinder, Transition, and Accelerator programs, the EIC provides a continuum of support that addresses the unique challenges at different stages of the innovation lifecycle. By empowering researchers, entrepreneurs, and SMEs, the EIC ensures that groundbreaking ideas can flourish, creating a sustainable and prosperous future for Europe. The focus is on breakthrough technologies and game-changing innovations which are high risk and with a high potential for impact and to scale up internationally and become market leaders.
EIC Pathfinder
The EIC Pathfinder program is designed to support research to develop the scientific basis to underpin breakthrough technologies and early-stage innovations that could lead to significant scientific or technological breakthroughs (TRL 1-4).
– Consortia of at least three different independent legal entities (at least one established in Member State; two other established in different Member States or Associated Countries) can apply. Single applicants or small consortia of two partners can only apply for EIC Pathfinder Challenges.
– Maximum grant funding is 3 million euros for EIC Pathfinder Open; 4 million euros for EIC Pathfinder Challenges.
EIC Pathfinder Challenges:
- Solar-to-X devices for the decentralized prosumption of renewable fuels, chemicals and materials as climate change mitigation pathway
- Towards cement and concrete as a carbon sink
- Nature inspired alternatives for food packaging and films for agriculture
- Nanoelectronics for energy-efficient smart edge devices
- Strengthening the sustainability and resilience of EU space infrastructure
The deadline for submitting proposal 29th October 2025.
EIC Transition
The EIC Transition program bridges the gap between early-stage research and market-ready innovations (TRL 3-6). It supports the maturation and validation of technologies that have already demonstrated proof of concept in the laboratory for some specific, high potential, commercial applications.
– SMEs, start-ups or research performing organizations (university, research or technology organizations, individual Principal Investigators and inventors in institutions who intend to form a spin-off company) with identified EU-funded project result(s) (promising commercial potential that could be the basis for innovation and promising new businesses) can apply.
– Maximum grant funding is 2,5 million euros.
The deadline for submitting proposal 17th September 2025.
EIC Accelerator
The EIC Accelerator is specifically tailored to support SMEs and startups with high-growth potential (TRL 5-9) which have an innovative, game changing product, service or business model that could create new markets or disrupt existing ones in Europe and even worldwide.
– Single start-ups and SMEs (including spin-offs), individuals intending to launch a start-up/SME established in a Member State or an Associated Country can apply. In exceptional cases (for rapid scale up investments) small mid-cap companies (up to 499 employees) can also apply.
– Maximum grant funding is 2,5 million euros for innovation activities (TRL 5-8), to be completed within 24 months (70% financing intensity).
– Maximum investment funding is 10 million euros for market deployment (TRL 9) with a 7-10 years perspective (for companies that have already received grant or mid caps companies).
– Blended finance funding: a mix of non-dilutive grant for innovation activities (TRL 5-8) and dilutive equity for scaling up and other activities.
EIC Accelerator Challenges:
- Acceleration of advanced materials development and upscaling along the value chain
- Biotechnology driven low emission food and feed production systems
- GenAI4EU: Creating European Champions in Generative AI
- Innovative in-space servicing, operations, robotics and technologies for resilient EU space infrastructure
- Breakthrough innovations for future mobility
- Renewable energy sources and their whole value chain
The deadline for submitting proposal 1st October 2025.
STEP Scale-up:
EIC STEP Scale up scheme is part of Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform which aims to bridge the funding gap for high-risk innovations to scale up rapidly if a company has already secured an initial investment. Successful commercialisation and scaling technology/innovation should represent significant risks which mean that it cannot be sufficiently financed from the market investors.
– A single company classified as SME or small mid-cap (up to 499 employees) established in a Member State or an Associated Country can apply. An investor may submit a proposal on behalf of an eligible SME or small mid-cap, provided that a prior agreement exists with the company.
– Maximum investment funding is 30 million euros, meanwhile minimum investing funding is 10 million euros.
STEP Technology sectors:
- Digital and Deep tech: semiconductor, AI, quantum, advanced connectivity, sensing robotics and autonomous systems
- Clean technologies: net-zero solutions like solar, wind, battery storage, geothermal hydrogen, biogas, carbon capture, nuclear and circular economy
- Biotechnologies: critical medicines, DNA/RNA, proteins, cell engineering, gene vectors, bioinformatics and nanobiotechnology
For more information about EIC funding – click here.
If you are interested, feel free to contact us.
