Step 1 - Short proposal
Short proposals can be submitted at any time. Proposals are submitted via the Funding &Tenders Portal. Further information on submission can be found here.
The short application consists of:
- a 12-page template to describe the innovation, the potential market and the team;
- a pitch deck (max. 10 slides) and
- a video pitch of up to three minutes, in which the core members of the team (up to three people) present the motivation for the application.
- after approximately four to six weeks, the result of the review will be communicated. In the case of a "GO", the team is invited to the second step, the full proposal. In the case of a "NO GO", an improved short application can be submitted, taking into account the resubmission rules (see below).
Step 2 – Full Proposal
The full proposal is submitted by one of the cut-off dates. When submitting the full proposal, applicants must choose between the open topic (EIC Accelerator Open) or a topic-related call (EIC Accelerator Challenge). The challenges are listed in the EIC work programme.
The full application consists of a detailed business plan, financial information and information on the structure of the company. Templates are available. If required, an EIC-funded business coach will provide three days of support in preparing the full proposal.
The application is evaluated by EIC expert evaluators. Applicants receive their result after approximately six weeks. In the case of a "GO", the applicant is invited to the third step, the interview.
In case of a "NO GO", an improved full application can be submitted, taking into account the resubmission rules (see below).
Step 3 - Interview
The interviews usually take place eight to nine weeks after the cut-off date for the full proposal. Details on the date and format of the interview with the expert jury will be sent to the applicants together with the invitation. The interviews usually take place on site in Brussels. The result of the interview will be communicated after approximately three weeks. In the event of a "GO", the next steps are the preparation of the grant agreement and the investment component (in the case of "blended finance").
In the event of a "NO GO", an improved full application can be submitted, taking into account the resubmission rules (see below)
Re-Submission
The number of unsuccessful submissions to the EIC Accelerator is limited.
After three unsuccessful submissions, which can occur at any stage of the application process (short proposal, full proposal, interview), the application cannot be resubmitted to the EIC Accelerator for the rest of the Horizon Europe programme.
These restrictions also apply to applications submitted under the fast-track or plug-in programme (see below).
Fast Track
The Fast Track enables companies that have already received funding in Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects to shorten the application process. Via the Fast Track, companies enter the application process with the full application and can therefore skip the short application.
The decisions and evaluation of the project ideas eligible for the Fast Track are made by the relevant initial funding organisations. The following programmes and institutions participate in the Fast Track:
- EIC Pathfinder and EIC Transition
- Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)
- Eurostars-2 (Partnership on Innovative SMEs)
- EIC Accelerator Pilot
You can find more information in the EIC Work Programme, Annex 3.
Plug-in
The plug-in is aimed at applicants who receive funding under certain national or regional funding instruments. For them, a shortened application process in the EIC Accelerator is possible (i.e. skipping the first step, the "short proposal"). The funding organisations decide on admission to the plug-in in a project review based on defined evaluation criteria.
The list of these certified plug-in programmes is online here.
Further information can be found in the EIC work programme in Annex 4.
Application counselling and interview training - we support you at every stage!
The NCP EIC Accelerator regularly organises its own information events, workshops and training sessions for applicants and multipliers in order to prepare you as good as possible for the application process. In the workshops, you will learn about the formalities and application criteria for each stage. You will also receive tips and support for preparing your pitch video and pitch decks. The NCP EIC Accelerator also offers pitch and Q&A training sessions in which the interview situation is simulated for applicant companies that are invited to the interview.
You can find all upcoming events here.
Evaluation criteria
The evaluation criteria for the EIC Accelerator are published in the EIC Work Programme.
The criteria are divided into three categories:
- Excellence: Disruptive potential, timing, technological feasibility, intellectual property
- Impact: Your potential for scaling-up, societal impact, market and competitive analysis, commercialisation strategy, key partners
- Level of risk, implementation, and need for Union support: team, project plan, risk level, risk mitigation
Some of the evaluation criteria within the categories do not apply to the short proposal. Details can be found in the work programme. For the full proposal and the interview, all criteria are included in the assessment. The jury determines the priorities at its own judgement.
Seal of Excellence (SoE)
Applicants may receive a Seal of Excellence (SoE) as a possible outcome of the interview. In this case, their application partially fulfils the assessment criteria, but does not have the required risk level or cannot sufficiently demonstrate the need for Union support. The SoE can facilitate access to funding from other sources. In addition, SoE companies receive support from the EIC Business Accelerator Services (BAS).
Seals of Excellence are only awarded if applicants have agreed that their application data may be forwarded to other funding organisations when submitting the full application.
Evaluators and Coaches
The Commission is constantly on the lookout for experts. Interested parties can find further information in the Funding &Tenders Portal. Information on the selection of coaches and the application process can be found on the corresponding page of the European Innovation Council.
