Call window open EIC Accelerator 2026 — grant and investment for deep-tech start-ups and SMEs
EIC Accelerator funds deep-tech start-ups and SMEs with a grant of up to 2,499,999 euro (maximum 70% of costs) and an equity investment of 1–10 million euro through the EIC Fund. The 2026 budget is 634 million euro.
- Who can apply
- A single company classified as an SME, including a start-up or spin-off, established in a Member State, can apply…
- Total budget
- 634 million
- Funding amount
- Lump-sum grant of up to €2,499,999 (2,499,999 euro), covering no more than 70% of eligible costs
- Submission period
- short proposals at any time (sent for evaluation on the first Tuesday of each month, 17:00 Brussels time); full proposals by 4 November 2026, 17:00 (Brussels time), the last deadline in 2026
Checked against official sources on · funder: European Commission – European Innovation Council · official source
The call window is open. The time left until the deadline decides whether we can still build your application in time, so call today.
Who can apply
A single company classed as an SME may apply, including a start-up or spin-off, established in an EU Member State or in a country associated with Horizon Europe. Companies in Romania qualify. One or more natural or legal persons who will set up the company before the grant agreement is signed may also apply. Investors may also apply on behalf of an SME, provided they have a prior agreement with it. Small mid-cap companies, with up to 499 employees, may receive only investment or, in exceptional cases of rapid scale-up, blended finance. They cannot receive a grant alone. The technology must have completed TRL 5, that is, validation in a relevant environment.
What it covers
- Innovation activities, indicatively from TRL 6 to TRL 8
- Demonstrating the technology in a relevant environment
- Prototyping and system-level demonstration
- Research, development and testing for regulatory and standardisation requirements
- Intellectual property management and market approval
- Market launch and scale-up (TRL 9), through the investment component
- EIC Business Acceleration Services: coaching, mentoring, meetings with partners and investors
Apply in the current call window
- We analyse whether you qualify and under which programme exactly.
- We build the application: business plan, budget, supporting documents.
- We submit during the call window and follow the evaluation.
- We stay with you through the reimbursement file and final payment.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a company receive through the EIC Accelerator in 2026?
The grant has a ceiling of €2,499,999 and covers no more than 70% of the eligible costs of innovation activities (TRL 6–8). Separately, the EIC Fund may invest in equity or quasi-equity between €1 million and €10 million. Amounts of €10–30 million are available through the EIC STEP Scale Up call.
What is the submission deadline for the EIC Accelerator?
The short proposal can be submitted at any time. Short proposals are sent for evaluation on the first Tuesday of each month, at 17:00 (Brussels time). The full proposal is submitted at fixed deadlines. The last deadline in 2026 is 4 November 2026, 17:00 (Brussels time). The 2027 deadlines will be set in the EIC 2027 work programme.
Can companies from Romania apply to the EIC Accelerator?
Yes. A single company classed as an SME (including a start-up or spin-off) established in an EU Member State or in a country associated with Horizon Europe may apply. Natural persons who will set up the company before the grant agreement is signed may also apply.
What level of technology readiness does the EIC Accelerator require?
The technology must have completed all aspects of TRL 5, that is, validation in a relevant environment. The grant funds activities from TRL 6 to TRL 8. The investment can also fund market launch and scale-up (TRL 9). The exception is the nuclear fusion challenge, where TRL 4–6 is accepted.
How does the EIC Accelerator selection work?
Selection has three stages. First, the short proposal (a 12-page form, a pitch deck of up to 10 slides and a video of up to 3 minutes) is assessed by four experts: at least three GO opinions are needed. Then the full proposal (maximum 20 pages) is reviewed by a technology expert and an evaluation panel. Finally comes the interview with an EIC jury.
What about the remaining 30% of costs?
The 30% co-financing for the work packages covered by the grant must be provided by the beneficiary from its own resources. In blended finance, the EIC Fund investment component covers other expenses, including TRL 9 activities, but a work package cannot be funded by both the grant and the investment at the same time.
How long does it take to prepare the application?
It depends on the complexity of the project and the documents you already have. The first step is the eligibility analysis, which tells you what needs to be prepared.
What happens if I do not qualify?
We tell you before any contract is signed, and if another suitable programme exists, we point you to it.
Next step
Apply in the current call window — EIC Accelerator 2026 — grant and investment for deep-tech start-ups and SMEs
Fill in the form and we will tell you whether you qualify. If you do not qualify under this programme, we will tell you which other one you could apply for — or that there is none, if that is the case.
or call us directly on 0755 167 167
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