The Proof-of-Concept Co-Financing Instrument 2026, launched by EIT Food, supports innovative agrifood startups in developing and validating their solutions through collaborations with corporate customers. The program provides up to €60,000 in funding per project to reduce the financial risks associated with proof-of-concept activities and small-scale pilot projects. By facilitating startup-corporate partnerships, the initiative aims to accelerate commercialization, strengthen market readiness, and bring impactful innovations to the European food sector.
Program Objectives
The program aims to support the commercialization of innovative agrifood technologies, products, and services by enabling startups to test their solutions in real-world business environments. Its main objectives include:
- Reducing the financial risks of startup-corporate collaborations.
- Supporting proof-of-concept validation and small-scale pilot projects.
- Accelerating market entry and commercial adoption of innovative solutions.
- Encouraging long-term partnerships between startups and established industry players.
- Advancing healthier, more sustainable, and resilient food systems.
Funding and Benefits
Selected startups can receive financial support to implement proof-of-concept projects in collaboration with prospective corporate customers.
- Maximum funding: €60,000 per project.
- Total program budget: Up to €1.5 million.
- Project duration: 1 to 12 months.
- Funding mechanism: Project-based lump-sum subgrant.
- Corporate contribution: The corporate counterpart must commit to a fee equivalent to 60% of the submitted project budget, payable to EIT Food under a separate agreement.
- Payment structure: An initial pre-financing installment of 50%, followed by a second installment upon successful completion of the required deliverable.
Eligible Projects
The instrument supports practical experimentation designed to demonstrate the commercial potential of agrifood innovations. Eligible activities may include:
- Sample creation and prototype validation.
- Field trials and real-world product testing.
- Functionality and performance assessments.
- Product property testing.
- Operational efficiency evaluations.
- Small-scale pilot projects conducted with corporate clients.
Proposed activities must directly contribute to the agreed proof-of-concept or pilot project and demonstrate a clear pathway toward commercial success.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be legally incorporated in an eligible European Union or Horizon Europe country.
- Have completed at least 12 months of business activity.
- Qualify as a micro or small enterprise under applicable EU definitions.
- Develop a technology, product, service, or solution aligned with at least one EIT Food mission.
- Apply as a single legal entity rather than a consortium.
- Have an identified corporate client participating in the proposed project.
- Collaborate with a corporate counterpart generating at least €1 billion in annual turnover, unless the counterpart qualifies through demonstrable open innovation capabilities.
- Demonstrate the commercial potential and market readiness of the proposed innovation.
- Submit a complete application in English.
Previous participation in EIT Food programs is not required.
Application Requirements
Applicants must prepare and submit the following documentation:
- A signed Letter of Intent involving the corporate client and EIT Food.
- A company presentation or pitch deck demonstrating commercial capabilities and market readiness.
- A detailed project plan outlining activities, milestones, and expected outcomes.
- A project budget specifying anticipated costs and the co-funding ratio.
- A Participant Identification Code (PIC).
Applications must be submitted through the official MyEITFood application portal.
Selection Criteria
Applications are assessed by external evaluators according to three weighted criteria:
- Excellence (35%): Startup traction, milestone achievements, problem-solution fit, and corporate collaboration experience.
- Impact (35%): Alignment with EIT Food missions, technological innovation, and potential to accelerate commercial success.
- Quality and Efficiency of Implementation (30%): Project feasibility, scalability, resource efficiency, and quality of planned deliverables.
Applications must achieve a minimum weighted score of 3.5 out of 5 to meet the selection quality threshold.
Application Deadline
The 2026 call includes four evaluation cutoffs:
- 31 July 2026, 12:00 GMT+1
- 30 September 2026, 12:00 GMT+1
- 30 October 2026, 12:00 GMT+1
- 30 November 2026, 12:00 GMT+1 — Final deadline
Applications are evaluated following each cutoff. Selected applicants must complete the required administrative, validation, and contracting procedures before beginning project implementation.
The EIT Food Proof-of-Concept Co-Financing Instrument 2026 offers agrifood startups an opportunity to validate innovative solutions, reduce commercial risks, and establish strategic partnerships with major industry players. Through targeted financial support and real-world pilot projects, the program helps promising technologies progress toward commercialization while contributing to a healthier, more sustainable, and resilient food system. Eligible startups with a suitable corporate partner and a clearly defined proof-of-concept project are encouraged to submit their applications before the final deadline of 30 November 2026.