With financial resources exceeding one billion euros, the initiative aims to support the growth of startups as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the potential to achieve outstanding results.

The EIC Accelerator focuses on scientific discoveries or groundbreaking technological solutions that require significant financial investment over an extended period before yielding returns. Securing funding for such innovations is often challenging due to high risks and long development timelines. This financial support will enable innovators to attract the necessary investments for faster expansion. The unique funding model offers startups and SMEs grants of up to 2.5 million euros, combined with equity investments through the EIC Fund, ranging from 500,000 euros to 15 million euros. The EIC Fund serves as an implementation body for high-risk innovation financing through equity investments in innovative enterprises.

Beyond financial support, all projects benefit from a range of business acceleration services, providing access to top expertise, leading companies, investors, and key ecosystem players.

The European Commission has also launched the European Innovation Council’s (EIC) Pathfinder program, with a total budget of 168 million euros. Interdisciplinary research teams can apply for grants to support research and innovation, helping them realize their groundbreaking ideas and contribute to overall economic advancement. Grants ranging from 3 to 4 million euros will be allocated to pioneering technologies that address global challenges and improve citizens’ lives.

Key Information About the EIC Support Framework
Established in March 2021, with a total budget exceeding 10 billion euros for the 2021–2027 period, the European Innovation Council represents a unique opportunity for innovators. It provides support from the early stages of scientific research in revolutionary technologies to the commercial application of research results, as well as the development and scaling of innovative startups and SMEs.

As a key new element of the Horizon Europe program, the European Innovation Council builds upon a successful pilot phase from 2018 to 2020, following previous SME instruments and emerging technology programs. These initiatives have supported over 5,000 SMEs and startups, as well as more than 330 research projects.

The EIC Accelerator encourages later-stage technological development and scaling, complementing two other EIC programs:

EIC Pathfinder, which fosters interdisciplinary research teams to realize their visions of scientific and technological progress.
EIC Transition, aimed at transforming research results into innovative opportunities.
More information about the first calls for the Accelerator and Pathfinder programs under the European Innovation Council is available on the EIC website. Interested applicants can also contact the Executive Agency for the European Innovation Council and SMEs.

Application Deadlines for Horizon Europe’s “EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder” Programs:
EIC Accelerator: June 9 and October 6, 2021, by 17:00 CET.
EIC Pathfinder: May 19, 2021, by 17:00 CET.
Documents available for download:

EIC Work Program (ENG)
Application Guide (ENG)
For additional information:
Marija Ražnatović, National Contact Point for the European Innovation Council [email protected]

tel: 020 482 318