HORIZON-EIC-2026-ACCELERATOR-01 EIC Accelerator Challenge — Deep Tech for Climate Adaptation
Closed on . It is kept here as a record of what the programme funded. The funding body may open a comparable call again.
Permanently open with full-proposal cut-offs on 8 July 2026 and 4 November 2026; short proposals accepted continuously.
Summary
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 one of the five 2026 EIC Accelerator Challenges: deep tech for climate adaptation. Applicants' technology must be validated to at least Technology Readiness Level 5 completed; there is no consortium.
Can you apply?
- Who
- Single deep-tech start-ups and SMEs (and small mid-caps up to 499 staff for equity only) in the EU and Horizon Europe associated countries, with a technology validated to at least TRL 5 completed and a need for both grant funding and growth equity.
- Money
- Up to €2.5M
- When
- Closed — last accepted 4 November 2026
- Effort
- Very highFind a grantwriter for this call →
Eligibility
- Single applicant (SME, start-up, or natural person intending to found one) — no consortium
- Technology validated to at least TRL 5 completed
- Established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated country
- Grant component below EUR 2.5 million; optional EIC Fund equity EUR 1-10 million
- Small mid-caps (up to 499 staff) eligible for the equity component only
About this grant
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. Challenge theme: deep tech for climate adaptation. The total indicative budget for EIC Accelerator Challenges in 2026 is EUR 220 million.
Details
Key dates
Sectors
Compiled by FundedBy from public sources. Confirm details with the funding body before applying.
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