[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#181B30″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
The European Innovation Council (EIC) is Europe’s flagship programme for identifying, developing and scaling disruptive technologies and innovations. After a pilot phase, the EIC was established as part of the Horizon Europe programme. It has a budget of \u20ac10.1 billion.
It supports ground-breaking innovations throughout their life cycle, from early-stage research to proof of concept, technology transfer, funding and the ramp-up of start-ups and SMEs.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#181B30″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
The European Commission has adopted the 2025 work programme of the European Innovation Council (EIC), allocating more than \u20ac1.4 billion to support deep tech research and high-potential start-ups. A major new feature is improved access to capital funding for scale-up through the STEP (Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform) Scale-up scheme.<\/p>\n
Policy guidelines from the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen “Europe’s competitiveness will depend on the advent of a new era of invention and creativity. This means putting research and innovation at the heart of our economy. To achieve this, we will expand the ERC and the EIC.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][dsm_card_carousel slide_to_show=”2″ space_between=”30″ equal_height=”on” arrow_color=”#165EA0″ dots=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” badge_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][dsm_card_carousel_child title=”Pathfinder” image=”https:\/\/scinnov.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Fleche.svg” image_background_height=”50px” image_background_size=”contain” image_background_position=”center_right” badge_text=”01″ badge_position=”bottom_left” badge_background_color=”#165EA0″ button_url_new_window=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” badge_font=”|800|||||||” badge_text_color=”#FFFFFF” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” parent_button=”off” parent_header_level=”h4″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
R&I grants for breakthrough research from laboratory to prototype.<\/p>\n
Grants up to \u20ac3\/4 million
Total : \u20ac262 million (+6m)<\/p>\n
[\/dsm_card_carousel_child][dsm_card_carousel_child title=”Transition” image=”https:\/\/scinnov.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Fleche.svg” image_background_height=”50px” image_background_size=”contain” image_background_position=”center_right” badge_text=”02″ badge_position=”center_left” badge_background_color=”#165EA0″ button_url_new_window=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” badge_font=”|800|||||||” badge_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” parent_button=”off” parent_header_level=”h4″]<\/p>\n
Market-readiness grants for preparing to enter the market<\/p>\n
Grants up to \u20ac2.5 million
Total : \u20ac98 million (+4m)<\/p>\n
[\/dsm_card_carousel_child][dsm_card_carousel_child title=”Accelerator” image=”https:\/\/scinnov.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Fleche.svg” image_background_height=”50px” image_background_size=”contain” image_background_position=”center_right” badge_text=”03″ badge_position=”center_left” badge_background_color=”#165EA0″ button_url_new_window=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” badge_font=”|800|||||||” badge_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” parent_button=”off” parent_header_level=”h4″]<\/p>\n
Scale-Up Grants & Investments for scaling up business<\/p>\n
Grants up to \u20ac2.5 million & equity investment up to \u20ac15 million
Total :<\/p>\n
[\/dsm_card_carousel_child][dsm_card_carousel_child title=”STEP Scale Up” image=”https:\/\/scinnov.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Fleche.svg” image_background_height=”50px” image_background_size=”contain” image_background_position=”center_right” badge_text=”04″ badge_position=”center_left” badge_background_color=”#165EA0″ button_url_new_window=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” badge_font=”|800|||||||” badge_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” parent_button=”off” parent_header_level=”h4″]<\/p>\n
Major investments to help companies become global leaders<\/p>\n
Total : \u20ac300m (NEW)<\/p>\n
[\/dsm_card_carousel_child][\/dsm_card_carousel][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
A major development and novelty in 2025 is the introduction of an EIC STEP Scale-up call aimed at providing greater investment to companies to develop certain critical technologies, such as digital and deep tech, clean and resource-efficient technologies, and biotechnology. This call is being introduced as a pilot project and includes a number of new features, including a shortened evaluation process and a link to additional support via venture loans offered by InvestEU’s implementing partners.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#181B30″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][dsm_card title=”EIC Pathfinder ” subtitle=”Open: 21st May 2025 Challenge: 29 Oct 2025″ image_background_height=”40px” image_background_size=”contain” image_background_position=”center_right” use_content_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_content_font_size=”40px” button_text=”Find out more” button_url=”https:\/\/eic.ec.europa.eu\/eic-funding-opportunities\/eic-pathfinder_en” button_url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” subhead_font=”silka-bold-italic||||||||” body_link_font=”||||||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n for multi-disciplinary research teams to undertake visionary research with the potential to lead to technology breakthroughs<\/p>\n Pathfinder challenge: biotech for plant based manufacturing, generative AI in Cancer, autonomous robot, waste-to-value devices<\/p>\n Grants up to \u20ac4 million [\/dsm_card][dsm_card title=”EIC Transition” subtitle=”Deadlines : 17th Sept 2025″ image_background_height=”40px” image_background_size=”contain” image_background_position=”center_right” use_content_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_content_font_size=”40px” button_text=”Find out more” button_url=”https:\/\/eic.ec.europa.eu\/eic-funding-opportunities\/eic-transition_en” button_url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” subhead_font=”silka-bold-italic||||||||” body_link_font=”||||||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n to turn research results into innovation opportunities, following up on results generated by EIC Pathfinder projects, European Research Council Proof of Concept projects and open to project results from Horizon collaborative projects from Pillar 2\/ societal challenges<\/p>\n Grants up to \u20ac2.5 million [\/dsm_card][dsm_card title=”EIC Accelerator” subtitle=”Deadlines : Open: 12th March 2025, 1st Oct 2025. Challenge: 12th March 2025, 1st Oct 2025″ image_background_height=”40px” image_background_size=”contain” image_background_position=”center_right” use_content_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_content_font_size=”40px” button_text=”Find out more” button_url=”https:\/\/eic.ec.europa.eu\/eic-funding-opportunities\/eic-accelerator_en” button_url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” subhead_font=”silka-bold-italic||||||||” body_link_font=”||||||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n for start-ups and SMEs to develop and scale up innovations with the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones<\/p>\n Accelerator Challenge: advanced material, biotechnology, GenAI4EU, Innovative in-space servicing, future mobility<\/p>\n Grants below \u20ac2.5 million, investments from \u20ac0.5 to \u20ac10 million [\/dsm_card][dsm_card title=”The EIC Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP)” subtitle=”Deadlines : Any time (continuous)” image_background_height=”40px” image_background_size=”contain” image_background_position=”center_right” use_content_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_content_font_size=”40px” button_text=”Find out more” button_url=”https:\/\/eic.ec.europa.eu\/eic-funding-opportunities\/eic-accelerator_en” button_url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” subhead_font=”silka-bold-italic||||||||” body_link_font=”||||||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Scale Up will provide additional equity funding to promising companies (SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs and small mid-caps) driving innovation in critical areas to help them secure larger private co-investment for further scaling their businesses<\/p>\n Investments from \u20ac10 to \u20ac30 million [\/dsm_card][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#D6E5F3″ custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” border_radii=”on|30px|30px|30px|30px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/scinnov.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Scinnov-forme-actom-Partenaire.svg” background_size=”contain” background_position=”center_left” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ module_class=”centrer-verticalement” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”30px||30px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”silka-regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#181B30″ text_line_height=”1.5rem” header_font_size=”22px” header_2_text_color=”#181B30″ header_2_font_size=”35px” header_2_line_height=”2.75rem” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\nFinancing instruments – budget and deadlines<\/h3>\n
<\/strong>Budget : 262M\u20ac<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/strong>Budget : 98M\u20ac<\/strong><\/p>\n
Budget : 634M\u20ac<\/strong><\/p>\n
Budget : 300M\u20ac<\/strong><\/p>\nFor further information:<\/h3>\n