EIC Accelerator is a scheme from the European Innovation Council (EIC), part of the Horizon Europe programme. It supports startups and SMEs in developing and expanding innovation projects. In 2025, there is again a hefty budget available for the EIC Accelerator scheme, being €634 million. But how do you apply for EIC Accelerator funding? The programme has an extensive application process so that only the best innovation projects receive grants. A careful application is therefore important to be awarded a grant.

Who can apply for EIC Accelerator grant?

Startups and SMEs from an EU member state and countries associated with the Horizon Europe programme can benefit from the EIC Accelerator scheme. If applicants from third countries want to be considered for funding, they may (before submitting the full application) relocate the company. Applicants from the UK can only use the ‘grant component’ within the EIC Accelerator.

EIC Accelerator application process

The application process consists of four steps:

Step 1: Writing a short proposal

Short proposals of an innovative project can be submitted at any time. Expert evaluators from the EIC programme assess these proposals remotely, in order of receipt. Content of a short proposal:

• A summary of your proposal in which you answer some questions about the innovation, the potential market, and the research team
• Pitch deck: up to 10 slides in a PDF format
• Video pitch: up to 3 minutes in which key team members (maximum 3) motivate the proposal

You will receive feedback on the proposal within 4-6 weeks. If the proposal meets the requirements, you will receive an invitation to submit a full proposal during the set opening dates.

Step 2: Preparing full application

If you receive a positive evaluation of the short proposal, you may submit a full proposal during the EIC Accelerator opening. A full proposal consists of:

• A business plan
• Pitch deck in PDF
• Video pitch of up to 3 minutes

Again, these proposals will be remotely assessed by three EIC expert evaluators. In doing so, you will receive a response within 8-9 weeks.

Step 3: Pitch your innovation

If the full application is approved, you will receive an invitation for an interview with an EIC jury. This appointment will occur within 4-5 weeks of receiving the assessment. You will receive the results within 2-3 weeks of this appointment.

Step 4: negotiate the grant component and start thorough research for the investment component

After receiving a positive assessment of the previous steps, you can negotiate the grant component. Two outcomes are possible here:

• Grant only: you sign the grant agreement and receive the initial pre-financing
• Mixed funding: you can use the investment component and negotiate a capital increase of up to €2 million

Relevant information about your innovation project is transmitted to the EIC fund after which the investment requirement is assessed. Within 2-6 months, the investment component is determined. If the in-depth assessment concludes that your project is not yet optimal for investment, you start with the grant component only.

Seal of Excellence

Applications that meet all conditions in the remote assessment (step 1 and step 2) and are positively assessed by the EIC jury (step 3), but do not qualify for funding, receive a Seal of Excellence. This allows funding to be obtained from other sources.

Direct submissions

In addition to the comprehensive application process, there is also a Fast Track and Plug-In process. Projects stemming from previous programs can use these to get in midway through the application process.

Fast track scheme: proposals emerging from an existing Horizon Europe programme can submit such projects directly at the full application stage (step 2) of the EIC Accelerator application process.

Plug-in scheme: this is equivalent to the Fast Track scheme, but only for proposals emerging from existing national and regional programmes. There is a list of certified programmes for this scheme. These projects can also be submitted at the full application stage (step 2) of the EIC Accelerator process.

EIC Accelerator grant application in 2025

As you can see above, the application process for the EIC Accelerator grant contains several steps. These steps and strict assessments are done to give only the most ground-breaking innovations a chance to get a grant. It is therefore important that both the innovation and the application are of good quality. Deliberate with a specialist about your proposal to increase your chances of success. Our specialists will be happy to help! Contact us on info@hezelburcht.com or call us on 088 495 20 00.

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