European Innovation Council (EIC)
As of 11 February 2026
The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a key European Union funding initiative that supports groundbreaking and disruptive innovations. As part of the EU's research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe (2021–2027), the European Commission is providing the EIC with a budget of around 10 billion euros.
The EIC aims to identify highly innovative deep-tech solutions at an early stage, provide targeted support, and bring them successfully to market. In doing so, it strengthens Europe’s competitiveness and fosters innovations with significant economic and societal impact.
EIC target groups
The EIC supports organisations developing high-risk, potentially transformative innovations, including:
- Research organisations and universities
- Start-ups and spin-offs
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- Scale-ups
Funding is available for projects from across Europe that have the potential to create new markets or fundamentally transform existing ones.
Objectives and tasks of the EIC
The European Innovation Council pursues three main objectives:
1. Promoting radical innovation
The EIC supports visionary ideas with disruptive potential, enabling technological breakthroughs and the development of new value chains.
2. Financing along the entire innovation chain
The EIC provides support throughout all stages of innovation – from early-stage research to market entry and scaling.
- EIC Pathfinder: Discovery and development of groundbreaking technologies
- EIC Transition: Validation, further development and preparation for market launch
- EIC Accelerator and EIC STEP Scale-up: Commercialisation, growth and scaling
3. Strengthening the European innovation ecosystem
In addition to financial support, the EIC offers comprehensive Business Acceleration Services, including coaching, mentoring, access to investors and international networking with industry and innovation partners.
Overview of EIC funding instruments
![[Translate to Englisch:] Die Förderinstrumente des EIC im Überblick](/fileadmin/_processed_/5/5/csm_BayFOR-eic-foerderinstrumente-2026_009219898e.png)
EIC Pathfinder
The EIC Pathfinder supports visionary, high-risk research and innovation projects at a very early stage. It funds the development of novel technologies – from the initial idea and scientific proof to early prototypes and a preliminary business case. The programme is open to all types of organisations, in particular research organisations, universities, SMEs and consortia. Further information on the EIC Pathfinder.
EIC Transition
EIC Transition supports the next development steps following a successful proof of principle. Funding covers both the technical validation of prototypes and the development of a viable business model.
Individual applicants and small consortia are eligible to apply if they build on results from, among others:
- EIC Pathfinder
- ERC Proof of Concept
- Horizon Europe (including Pillar II)
- Horizon Europe Research Infrastructures
Further information on EIC Transition.
EIC Accelerator
The EIC Accelerator is aimed exclusively at SMEs – in particular highly innovative start-ups and scale-ups – seeking to bring groundbreaking, market-creating innovations to market. Funding is provided to individual companies in the form of:
- grants of up to €2.5 million, and
- optional equity financing (blended finance) of up to €10 million.
The EIC Accelerator specifically targets companies whose innovation projects are considered too risky for traditional financing instruments. Further information on the EIC Accelerator.
New developments in the EIC Work Programme 2026
The 2026 Work Programme introduces several relevant developments within the EIC:
- Introduction of the EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges (2026–2027): an ARPA-style pilot initiative (inspired by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) to support high-risk, application-oriented deep-tech innovations.
- Increase of the maximum grant amount under EIC Pathfinder to €4 million.
- Expanded eligibility under EIC Transition, including results from Horizon Europe Research Infrastructures, ERC Proof of Concept and Horizon Europe Pillar II.
- Accelerated application procedure under the EIC Accelerator, with more frequent cut-off dates.
- Introduction of a Gender & Diversity Innovation Index.
- Relaunch of the Plug-in Scheme for national programmes.
- STEP Scale-up established as a standalone instrument: equity support of €300 million to facilitate large private co-investment rounds (exceeding €50 million).
Advisory services provided by BayFOR
BayFOR supports you within the framework of the European Innovation Council in all matters related to EU funding.
Our services include in particular:
- assessing the eligibility of your project idea,
- identifying the most suitable EIC funding instrument,
- advising on the preparation of your application, and
- preparing you for interviews and evaluation procedures.
Contact BayFOR’s EU funding advisory team.
Natalia García Mozo
Head of Unit SME Advisory Services
Phone: +49 89 9901888-171
Email: mozo@no-spam-pleasebayfor.org
Competence Centre for Research and Innovation Funding in Bavaria, Europe and the World
Competence Centre for Research and Innovation Funding in Bavaria, Europe and the World
