European Innovation Council Work Programme 2024

The EIC’s work programme for 2024 focuses on six strategic goals, each associated with key performance indicators to measure progress and guide implementation. These goals include becoming the “investor of choice” for innovative individuals and start-ups, crowding in significant investments into European deep tech, pulling through high-risk technologies for strategic autonomy, increasing the number of European unicorns and scale-ups, catalysing innovation impacts from European public research, and achieving operational excellence. 

The work programme is organized into three main funding schemes, each tagged for distinct stages of innovation: EIC Pathfinder for advanced research, EIC Transition to validate technologies and develop business plans, and EIC Accelerator to support companies in bringing their innovations to market and scaling them up. All schemes provide “Open” funding, supporting technologies and innovations in any field, complemented by specific “Challenges” targeting strategic areas such as Net Zero Industry, Critical Raw Materials, and Health Emergency Responses.  

EIC Pathfinder: 

• Open Call (Only consortia can apply): Grants up to EUR 3 million 
• Challenges Call (Consortia and single applicants) : Grants up to EUR 4 million, higher amounts if duly justified 
• Projects: To achieve the proof of principle and validate the scientific basis of breakthrough technologies (starting from early TRLs aiming at achieving TRL3 or 4) 
• Deadlines: 7 March 2024 and 16 October 2024 
• Indicative Budget: EUR 136 million (7 March 2024) and EUR 120 million (16 October 2024) 

 EIC Transition: 

• Applicants: Single applicants (SMEs, spin-offs, start-ups, research organizations, universities) or small consortia (minimum 2, maximum 5 eligible entities) 
• Grants: Up to EUR 2.5 million to validate and demonstrate technology in application-relevant environment (starting at TRL 3/4 aiming at achieving TRL 5/6) and develop business and market readiness. 
• Deadline: 18 September 2024 
• Indicative Budget: EUR 94 million 

 EIC Accelerator: 

• Applicants: Single start-ups and SMEs (including spin-offs), individuals (intending to launch a start-up/SME), and in exceptional cases small mid-caps (fewer than 499 employees) 
• Grant Component: Below EUR 2.5 million for innovation activities (starting at TRL 5 or 6 aiming at achieving higher TRLs) 
• Investment Component: EUR 0.5 million up to 15 million for scaling up and other activities. Grant-only and investment-only components under certain conditions. 
• Deadlines: Short applications – Any time (continuous); Full applications – 13 March 2024 and 3 October 2024 
• Indicative Budget: EUR 375 million and EUR 300 million for the two deadlines, respectively 

In addition, EIC support extends beyond funding. Aiming to accelerate and grow innovations through non-financial support, EIC Awardees gain access to Business Acceleration Services, fostering connections with partners, investors, and experts. Proactive project and portfolio management by EIC Programme Managers ensures ongoing support and the achievement of project milestones.