European Innovation Council (EIC)

The European Innovation Council (EIC) has been established under the EU Horizon Europe

The strategy and implementation of the EIC is steered by the EIC Board, which has independent members appointed from the world of innovation (entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, corporates and others from the innovation ecosystem).

A unique feature of the EIC is that it provides funding for individual companies (mainly startups and SMEs) through both grants and investments. The investments currently take the form of direct equity or quasi-equity investments and are managed by the EIC Fund.

The EIC also supports strategic technology and innovation challenges which will take into account the priorities of the Horizon Europe strategic plan

EIC website

Funding opportunities under Horizon Europe are set out in multiannual work programmes, which cover the large majority of support available.

EIC Work Programme 2022

EIC Work Programme 2023

All funding information and details on how to apply are on the Funding and Tenders portal.

EIC Pathfinder

Support to research teams to research or develop an emerging breakthrough technology.

EIC Transition

Building on promising research results to demonstrate and mature the technology and develop business plans for specific applications.

EIC Accelerator

Funding and investments through the EIC Fund for individual start-ups and small companies to develop and scale up game changing innovations.

Business Acceleration Services

All EIC supported projects and companies get access to coaching, mentoring, partnering and other EIC Business Acceleration Services.

European Innovation Ecosystems

Specific support to enable innovation ecosystem actors to work together across Europe.

EIC Prizes

EIC Prize which rewards Europe's leading innovators.