Up to EUR 2.5 million in grant funding and/or EUR 1–10 million in equity investment for start-ups and SMEs with a breakthrough innovation. Next cut-off for full proposals: 4 November 2026, 17:00 (Brussels time).
Key information
| Programme | Horizon Europe / EIC |
| Call | EIC Accelerator |
| Authority | European Innovation Council; EIC Fund |
| Type of support | Grant plus equity investment (blended finance) |
| Size | Grant of up to EUR 2.5 million; investment of EUR 1–10 million; investment-only funding also available |
| Status | Continuously open, with periodic cut-off dates |
| Next cut-off | 04.11.2026, 17:00 Brussels time |
| Eligible applicants | Start-ups and SMEs with a breakthrough innovation that can create a new market or disrupt an existing one; also individuals who intend to set up an eligible company; small mid-caps may apply for investment-only funding |
About the call
EIC Accelerator is the EU's largest investment programme for deep tech and breakthrough innovation — technologies too risky to be funded by private investors alone, but of strategic importance to Europe. Support can take the form of a grant, an investment, or a combination of the two.
The application runs in several stages: a short proposal (a form of up to 12 pages, a pitch deck of up to 10 slides, and a video of up to 3 minutes — can be submitted at any time); a full proposal (if the short proposal is successful — submitted via the Funding & Tenders Portal for one of the announced cut-off dates); an interview with the EIC jury; and, if approved, signing of the grant agreement and, if investment was requested, due diligence and a decision by the EIC Fund.
Useful links
- Official page: eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-accelerator_en
- Funding & Tenders Portal: for submitting the full proposal
The information in this card is accurate as of 22.09.2026; the cut-off date was confirmed on the official page on 19.10.2026. Please check the current conditions before applying.