The EC has just announced the news of the European Innovation Council (EIC) calls for proposals, part of Pillar 3 – Innovative Europe, the new Horizon Europe R&D&I Framework Program (2021-2017), which presents multiple opportunities for highly innovative organizations to obtain funding to develop their projects and consolidate in international markets, boosting growth, competitiveness and welfare of the EU.
To meet its objective of bringing disruptive technologies to the market, the EIC offers a series of complementary funds through the instruments: EIC Pathfinder (novel ideas to develop disruptive technologies); EIC Transition Activites (transformation of research results into innovation); EIC Accelerator (implementation of innovation in the market).
The EIC Accelerator is one of the most interesting instruments for innovative SMEs and start-ups with projects with high growth potential. Projects must be high-risk and contribute to radical market transformation. Beneficiaries receive mixed funding, with up to €2.5M in the form of a grant and €15M in the form of private equity.
Main novelties of the EIC Accelerator:
- Bottom-up and top-down approach: there are calls open to all types of technologies (EIC Accelerator Open), but also specific calls for certain priority challenges for Europe (EIC Accelerator Challenges), particularly in digitization, health and the EU Green Deal.
- Coaching services: also available during the selection process, to help companies find the most appropriate financing and presentation strategies.
- Simplification of the evaluation: speeding up deadlines, eliminating scores and only indicating whether the proposal is accepted (Go) or rejected (No-Go).
- Limitation of submissions: with a maximum of 2 consecutive submissions per company within a 12-month period (i.e., you must wait 12 months before you can resubmit a new version or proposal).
- Multi-step submission: submission processes have been simplified, with 4 submission steps:
Step 1: Short Proposal, with a series of questions to be filled in the EC Platform and the preparation of a Pitch and a short video (3 min.). Deadline open from April 9, 2021, with the possibility of continuous submission, and an evaluation period of up to 4 weeks.
If accepted, go to Step 2; if rejected it can be sent 1 more time.
Step 2: Full Proposal Development, to be prepared through the EC Platform, and coaching services. Available from mid-April 2021.
Step 3: Submission and evaluation of the Full Proposal. In 2021 there are 2 deadlines: June 9 and October 6.
If it is accepted, go to Step 4; if it is rejected it can be sent 1 more time.
Step 4: Interview and final decision on project financing.
If accepted, the funding invitation is received; if rejected, it can be sent 1 more time.
The new process aims to improve the fluidity, quality and selection opportunities for proposals with high potential and chances of success in the market.
More information about the European Innovation Council here.
And if you have any questions about the scope and requirements of the program, please contact us.
