EIC Accelerator Programme 2026 Requirements

This highly competitive programme helps you to develop your business concept further into a market-ready product, service or process aligned with your company’s growth strategy. Activities could include trials, prototyping, validation, demonstration and testing in real-world conditions, and market replication. If the activity concerns a primarily technological innovation, a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5/6 or above is envisaged.

The EIC Accelerator is focused on innovations that build on scientific discoveries or breakthrough technologies. Through the funding it will support innovators to attract the full investment amounts needed for scale up in a shorter timeframe. Work essential to your project may be subcontracted.

EIC Accelerator Open Call

Open to any technology and research area, with a total available budget of €414 million.

Subsidy:

• Grant: max. €2.5M
• Investment component: Between €0,5M and €10M
  Applicants can choose to apply for a blend of grant and equity, grant only, grant first or equity only.

Deadline: 3 stage application process

• Short proposal: Apply anytime
• Full proposal: 7 January, 4 March, 6 May, 8 July, 2 September, 4 November 2026
• Interview rounds: They will be held approximately 8-9 weeks after the cut-off dates

Consortium: Single SMEs and start-up (and individuals intending to establish a start-up/SME) established in EU Member State Countries.

EIC Accelerator Challenges

The Challenges have the same eligibility criteria and conditions as the Open Calls. The total indicative budget is €220 million.

In 2026, the challenges are defined as follows:

• Advanced Materials for Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Systems
• Alternative Concepts and Key Enabling Technologies for Fusion Power Plants
• Biotech for Regenerating Agricultural Soils
• Boosting the European Critical Raw Materials value chain
• Deep Tech for Climate Adaptation

Deadlines: same as Open Call.