EIC Accelerator: up to EUR 2.5 million in grants plus equity for start-ups and SMEs

The EIC Accelerator is the European Innovation Council’s flagship instrument for start-ups and SMEs that want to bring a breakthrough technology to market and scale it. It combines a grant of up to EUR 2.5 million with an optional equity investment of EUR 1 to 10 million through the EIC Fund. Unlike most of Horizon Europe, you do not need partners. Applications pass three stages: short proposal, full proposal and a jury interview.

What you can get

The EIC Accelerator belongs to Pillar 3 of Horizon Europe, “Innovative Europe”. It targets high-risk, high-potential innovations that private investors still find too risky on their own. Under the 2026 work programme:

The total 2026 budget of the EIC Accelerator is around EUR 634 million, split between open submissions without a predefined theme and thematic challenges. Funded companies can also use the EIC Business Acceleration Services, such as coaching and introductions to investors and corporates.

Who can apply

• Start-ups and SMEs meeting the EU SME definition, established in an EU Member State or associated country. A GmbH or UG registered in Germany qualifies on that basis, regardless of the founders’ nationality.
• Individuals or teams planning to found a company can submit a short proposal; the company must exist before a grant agreement is signed.

Pure research without a market path does not fit, and neither does growth funding for a product without technological novelty.

The three steps

1. Short proposal: Can be submitted at any time. It consists of brief form questions, a pitch deck and a short video. Remote evaluators decide whether you may proceed.
2. Full proposal: Submitted to one of the fixed cut-off dates. It covers technology, market, business model, team, milestones and financing needs in detail and is assessed remotely by experts.
3. Interview: Shortlisted applicants pitch to a jury of investors, entrepreneurs and experts, who recommend funding or rejection.

Rejected applicants can resubmit under conditions set out in the work programme.

2026 cut-off dates

According to the 2026 work programme, full proposal cut-offs include:

This guide reflects the situation at the end of October 2026, so the next cut-off is 4 November 2026. The 2027 dates will follow with the 2027 work programme. Always check deadlines, page limits and templates on the EIC website and the Funding & Tenders Portal, because details change between work programmes.

What evaluators look for

• A real breakthrough, not an incremental improvement over the state of the art.
• Market traction: target markets, first customers or pilots and a credible route to revenue.
• The team: technical, commercial and financial skills, with open roles named honestly.
• Use of funds: exactly what the grant and the equity will pay for and which co-investors you approach.
• Risk management: technical, regulatory and market risks with mitigation.

General structure advice is in writing a grant proposal. For very early stages, German national schemes such as EXIST may be a better first step.

EIC Accelerator or collaborative project?

Plan backwards from your target cut-off and submit the short proposal early, since its evaluation can take several weeks. Keep corporate documents, annual accounts and your cap table ready; they will be reviewed at the latest if equity is involved.

Support

The German National Contact Points (Nationale Kontaktstellen) advise on the EIC free of charge. Many companies also work with specialised grant consultants, particularly for the full proposal and interview training. Agree fees in writing; nobody can guarantee a funding decision.

Sources

• European Innovation Council: EIC Accelerator
• Luxinnovation: Horizon Europe’s EIC in 2026
• EU Funding & Tenders Portal
• German National Contact Points

As of October 2026. This guide does not replace tax or legal advice; the EIC work programme, call conditions and grant agreement, or the funding body’s guideline and decision, are binding.