Permanently open with full-proposal cut-offs on 8 July 2026 and 4 November 2026; short proposals accepted continuously.
Part of the EIC Accelerator under the EIC Work Programme 2026: support for single start-ups and SMEs (and, under conditions, small mid-caps up to 499 staff) to develop and scale up high-impact deep-tech innovations. It combines a grant component below EUR 2.5 million with an optional EIC Fund investment (equity) of EUR 1-10 million, plus Business Acceleration Services. This is the EIC Accelerator as a whole, with two submission routes: EIC Accelerator Open (no predefined themes) and EIC Accelerator Challenges (predefined strategic technology areas). Applicants' technology must be validated to at least Technology Readiness Level 5 completed; there is no consortium.
EIC Accelerator under the EIC Work Programme 2026 (total EIC Accelerator budget EUR 634 million: EUR 414 million for Accelerator Open, EUR 220 million for Accelerator Challenges). The direct financial support combines a grant component of below EUR 2.5 million with an optional EIC Fund equity investment (minimum EUR 1 million, maximum EUR 10 million; a flexibility amount of up to EUR 2 million per proposal exists). Applicants are single for-profit SMEs and start-ups, natural persons intending to found one, and small mid-caps of up to 499 staff for the equity component only. Technology must be validated to at least TRL 5 completed. From 2026 the process is simpler (full-proposal forms cut from 50 to 20 pages), faster (evaluations every 2 months) and includes an in-depth technology and due-diligence assessment. Cut-off dates in 2026: 8 July 2026 and 4 November 2026, with short proposals accepted continuously. Open to dual-use applications since 17 June 2026. Business Acceleration Services complement the funding. Applicants submit through EIC Accelerator Open or EIC Accelerator Challenges (five 2026 challenges: advanced materials for renewable energy/storage; alternative concepts/KETs for fusion; biotech for regenerating agricultural soils; boosting the European critical raw materials value chain; deep tech for climate adaptation).
Compiled by FundedBy from public sources. Confirm details with the funding body before applying.
Last updated · Last verified