The EIC Accelerator is a funding programme under Horizon Europe designed to support startups and SMEs with innovative, game-changing products, services, or business models that have the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones. The program targets ventures with the ambition to scale up, offering substantial funding for projects where the associated risks are too high for private investors alone. It focuses on developing and scaling innovations with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6-8, operating on a patient capital principle to foster significant market impact.
Funding and Investment Details
• Grant Component: A lump sum contribution of up to €2.5 million is available for innovation activities, intended to be completed within a 24-month period.
• Investment Component: Equity investments ranging from €1 million to €10 million are offered to bridge the funding gap for high-risk innovations, with higher amounts possible under the STEP ScaleUP initiative.
• Funding Structures: Applicants can apply for one of three options: 'Grant only' for startups and SMEs with the capacity to scale; 'Blended finance', which combines a grant with direct equity or quasi-equity; or 'Investment only' for companies focused on rapid scaling without the need for a grant.
Program Tracks
• EIC Accelerator Open: This track is open to proposals from any field of technology and is suitable for projects that do not align with the specific challenge topics. The overall budget for this track in 2026 is €414 million.
• EIC Accelerator Challenges: This track is for projects that address pre-defined topics. The overall budget for the challenges in 2026 is €220 million.
Eligibility Criteria
• Eligible Applicants: The program is open to single startups or SMEs (including spin-outs), small mid-caps (up to 499 employees) applying for investment only, and natural persons or legal entities intending to establish an SME or mid-cap.
• Geographic Scope: Applicants must be from EU Member States or countries associated with the Horizon Europe programme.
• Provisions for Third Countries: Applicants from third countries may become eligible by relocating their company to an eligible country before submitting a full application. Applicants from the United Kingdom are eligible to apply for the 'grant only' scheme.
• Application Policy: An entity may only have one active application at a time. New applications can be submitted after receiving the results of the previous one. The EIC particularly encourages applications from startups and SMEs led by female CEOs.
Application Process
• Step 1: Short Proposal Submission: Applicants submit a short proposal at any time, which includes a 12-page form, a pitch deck of up to ten slides, and a video pitch of up to three minutes. Evaluations occur monthly, with feedback typically provided within 4-6 weeks.
• Step 2: Full Proposal Submission: Successful short proposals are invited to submit a full proposal. This includes a 20-page form, a pitch deck, an implementation plan, financial information, and other supporting documents. This stage involves an online interview with a technology expert, with results provided 8-9 weeks after the batching date.
• 2026 Full Proposal Batching Dates: Submissions are due by 5pm Brussels time on the following dates: 07/01/2026, 04/03/2026, 06/05/2026, 08/07/2026, 02/09/2026, and 04/11/2026.
• Step 3: Interview with EIC Jury: Top-ranked proposals are invited to a face-to-face interview with an EIC Jury. Interview results are communicated within 2–3 weeks.
• Step 4: Grant Agreement and Due Diligence: Successful applicants proceed to sign a Grant Agreement and receive pre-financing. For blended finance, the investment component undergoes a due diligence process with the EIC Fund, which typically takes 2-6 months to decide.
Additional Support and Submission Pathways
• Business Acceleration Services (BAS): All beneficiaries gain access to a range of services, including coaching, mentoring, training, and access to global partners and innovation ecosystems.
• Seal of Excellence: Proposals that meet the evaluation threshold but are not selected for funding receive a Seal of Excellence to help them secure alternative funding.
• Fast Track Scheme: This allows proposals from existing Horizon Europe or Horizon 2020 projects to submit directly to the full application stage, subject to a review.
• Plug-In Scheme: This pathway is similar to the Fast Track but applies to proposals originating from certified national or regional programmes.
Innovators and entrepreneurs seeking to advance their projects can find comprehensive details in the official EIC Work Programme 2026. For guidance and practical assistance, the network of National Contact Points (NCPs) serves as a primary resource, alongside a detailed guide for applicants and a list of frequently asked questions available on the EIC website.