EIC 2027: €1.8 billion for deep tech start-ups and SMEs

The European Innovation Council (EIC) announced its 2027 funding on 5 November 2026, with an allocation of more than €1.8 billion. The money is for researchers, start-ups, SMEs and scale-ups in advanced technologies (deep tech). The official pages we consulted do not yet publish exact submission dates for each instrument.

In brief

• Programme: European Innovation Council (EIC), 2027 funding
• Authority: European Commission, through the EIC and the EISMEA agency
• Beneficiaries: researchers, deep tech start-ups, SMEs and scale-ups
• Total budget: more than €1.8 billion
• Pathfinder: €248 million, grants of up to €4 million
• Transition: €92 million, grants of up to €2.5 million
• Accelerator: €578 million, grants of under €2.5 million and equity investments of €0.5–10 million
• STEP Scale Up: €290 million, investments of €10–30 million
• Submission period: not indicated on the pages consulted; it will be set through the work programme document and the published calls
• Status: the 2027 funding was officially announced on 5 November 2026

What does the EIC fund in 2027?

The EIC supports innovators from early-stage research through to commercialisation and scaling up. The instruments officially presented are Pathfinder, Transition, Accelerator, STEP Scale Up, Pre-Accelerator, business acceleration services and the Advanced Innovation Challenges pilot project.

• Pathfinder (€248 million): frontier research, with grants of up to €4 million.
• Transition (€92 million): validating commercial viability, with grants of up to €2.5 million.
• Accelerator (€578 million): for start-ups and SMEs, with grants of under €2.5 million and equity investments of between €0.5 and €10 million.
• STEP Scale Up (€290 million): investments of €10–30 million. There is also a defence variant, with €100 million and equity of up to €30 million.
• Scaleup Europe Fund (€400 million): equity investments of more than €30 million.
• Advanced Innovation Challenges (€25 million): lump sum of €300,000.

What has changed compared with 2026?

• EIC Transition now supports a single team or company, not consortia.
• Women TechEU grants are doubling, to €150,000 per start-up.
• A new European Prize for Women Innovators in the quantum field is introduced.
• Companies supported by the EIC receive new support measures to win their first customers, including through public procurement.
• The emphasis on scaling up continues through the Scaleup Europe Fund and STEP Scale Up, including for dual-use and defence technologies.

When and how do you apply?

The official page on EIC funding for 2027 does not indicate submission deadlines or opening dates. These were not announced in the sources we consulted; they will be found in the full work programme document and in the calls on the Funding & Tenders portal. The EIC has announced online information sessions on 19 November 2026 (funding opportunities in general) and on 20 November 2026 (Accelerator Challenges), with registration on the EIC website.

What this means for your business

These recommendations are the consultant's own, not official information.

• If you have a technology at prototype level, prepare your file for Transition or Accelerator now. Preparing a proposal usually takes months.
• For Accelerator, write your business plan and market analysis well in advance. Evaluators ask for evidence of genuine innovation, not just a new product.
• If you work in a consortium on Transition, check the new rule now: only a single team or company can apply.
• Do not plan a submission around assumed deadlines. Wait for the dates in the work programme.

Check whether your company is a good fit with the eligibility check. Related pages: EIC Accelerator, EIC Pathfinder Challenges and STEP Scale Up.

Frequently asked questions

What is the EIC budget for 2027?

EIC funding for 2027 allocates over €1.8 billion. Of this, €578 million goes to Accelerator, €290 million to STEP Scale Up, €248 million to Pathfinder and €92 million to Transition.

Can I apply for EIC 2027 now?

The official pages consulted do not indicate submission deadlines or opening dates for 2027. The funding has been announced, but call dates must be checked in the full document and on the Funding & Tenders portal.

What is changing at EIC Transition?

Transition now supports a single team or company, not consortia. Grants are of up to €2.5 million.

What is the value of STEP Scale Up investments?

STEP Scale Up makes investments of €10–30 million, with a budget of €290 million. The defence variant has €100 million, with equity of up to €30 million.

Official sources

• EIC: announcement of the €1.8 billion funding for 2027
• EIC: funding opportunities in 2027
• European Innovation Council home page

Information checked on 6 November 2026. The conditions may be amended by the managing authority — check the guide in force before submitting.