EIC Accelerator
The European Innovation Council's flagship instrument for deep-tech SMEs: grants up to €2.5M plus equity investments of €0.5–10M+. Semiconductors are listed as a strategic priority with investment safeguards. Requires establishment in the EU or an associated country.
Key parameters
| 2026 budget | €634M |
|---|---|
| Grant | Up to €2.5M |
| Equity | €0.5–10M+ (EIC Fund) |
| Strategic priority | Semiconductors listed, with investment safeguards |
Eligibility
- HQ
- Applying entity must be established in the EU or an associated country
- Local presence
- Separate legal entity required The applicant must be a separate legal person (e.g. GmbH, BV, SARL) — a branch office of a foreign company does not qualify here.
- R&D substance
- Not required
- Company size
- SMEs only
- Models
- All
- Sectors
- All
- Goals
- Additional design site in Europe; R&D cooperation without own site; Access to pilot lines & prototyping
Applicant must be an SME (or small mid-cap for equity-only) established in an EU member state or Horizon Europe associated country. A non-EU parent may hold the entity, subject to ownership screening under the investment safeguards for strategic technologies.
Mechanism & application
Discretionary (call-based) — Competitive, call-based — requires approval; success not guaranteed.
Continuous short application; full application to cut-off dates; jury interview. Grant agreement and/or EIC Fund investment on success.
Timeline: 6–12 months from short application to funding
Legal basis & sources
- Legal basis
- Horizon Europe Regulation (EU) 2021/695; EIC Work Programme 2026
- Verification
- EIC Work Programme 2026
Related
See also