EIC Accelerator: grant and equity for deep-tech startups, eligibility, steps and 2026 dates

The EIC Accelerator is the European Union's biggest direct fund for startups. It pays for the expensive middle of a deep-tech company's life: after the lab prototype works, and before the product can sell. It is competitive and slow, and it suits a narrow kind of company. This guide sets out what the EIC's own page says.

• EIC AcceleratorUp to €2.5M grant + up to €10M equityGrant · European Innovation Council · European Union

What it gives

The EIC lists two kinds of money:

• A grant. A lump sum below EUR 2.5 million for activities completed within 24 months. It is available once during Horizon Europe (2021 to 2027).
• An investment. EUR 1 million to EUR 10 million, either blended with the grant (direct equity or quasi-equity such as convertible loans) or investment-only. Larger amounts are available through STEP ScaleUp.

For 2026 the page lists EUR 220 million for EIC Accelerator Challenges (predefined topics) and EUR 414 million for EIC Accelerator Open (any technology field).

Who can apply

• Single startups and SMEs, including spin-outs.
• Small mid-caps with up to 499 employees that need to scale up TRL 9 activity, who can apply for investment only.
• Individuals or legal entities planning to set up an SME or mid-cap.

Applicants must be in an EU member state or a Horizon Europe associated country. Third-country applicants may relocate before Step 2. UK applicants can apply only for the grant-only scheme. Only one application can be live at a time.

The technology must be at TRL 6 to 8, with a patient-capital principle: the EIC expects development to take time. If you are still proving the basic science, look at the other EU and national programs first.

The application steps

1. Short proposal. A 12-page form, a pitch deck of up to 10 slides and a video pitch of up to 3 minutes. You can submit at any time and applications are batched on the first Tuesday of each month. Four remote experts evaluate it, with feedback in about 4 to 6 weeks.
2. Full proposal. A 20-page form, pitch deck, implementation plan, financial information, letters of intent, a freedom-to-operate analysis and a 3-minute video, followed by an online interview with a technology expert. Results arrive in about 8 to 9 weeks.
3. Jury interview. The top-ranked proposals (2.5 times the grant budget) are invited to an EIC Jury interview. Results come 2 to 3 weeks later.
4. Contracting. Grant-only applicants sign the Grant Agreement. Blended-finance applicants can negotiate an additional investment of up to EUR 2 million, which the EIC Fund assesses, with a decision within 2 to 6 months.

The page lists the 2026 batching dates as 7 January, 4 March, 6 May, 8 July, 2 September and 4 November. Check the page for the date that applies to you.

Applicants who score at least 13 out of 15 at remote evaluation but are not invited to interview, and those not recommended by the Jury, may receive a Seal of Excellence, which national and regional funders can use.

Shortcuts

• Fast Track lets results from Horizon Europe or Horizon 2020 projects go straight to Step 2.
• Plug-In covers national or regional programs certified by the EIC.

What changed for 2026

The EIC page says it now invests in defence and dual-use technologies, effective 17 June 2026, and that the EIC Fund's investment guidelines for the EIC Accelerator and STEP ScaleUp were updated in August 2026. The page does not detail the changes, so read the current guidelines before you plan around equity terms.

Making a strong application

• Be sure you are at TRL 6 to 8 and can show evidence, not plans.
• Write for the market, not only the science. Reviewers score impact and the route to revenue alongside the technology.
• Plan the 24 months. The grant must be used within that window, so tie every work package to a milestone.
• Use the Seal of Excellence. If you narrowly miss, a national scheme may fund you on the strength of it.

Other European routes

For tax reliefs, loans and national grants, see startup credits in Europe and the country-by-country guide.

• EIT Jumpstarter & Innovation CommunitiesPrize money + free accelerationAccelerator · European Institute of Innovation & Technology · European Union
• High-Tech GründerfondsSeed investment up to €1M+Accelerator · HTGF · Germany
• Bourse French TechUp to €30,000 (up to €90,000 with Bourse French Tech Emergence)Grant · Bpifrance · France
• Innovation Credit (Innovatiekrediet)Loan covering up to 45% of project costsGov. scheme · RVO Netherlands · Netherlands

Sources

• EIC Accelerator

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