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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

Core Objective: This grant aims to support Ukrainian deep-tech startups and SMEs to attract private investments, deploy innovations on the market, and scale up their civilian applications.
Target Recipient Type and Size: Deep-tech startups and SMEs.
SECTOR-SPECIFIC: SECTOR-SPECIFIC (focused on deep-tech innovation).
Geographic Scope: Primarily Ukraine. Companies currently in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country are eligible if they have a clear intention to relocate back to Ukraine when feasible.
Key Filtering Criteria: The applicant must be a Ukrainian deep-tech startup or SME with a technology validated at least at TRL 4, a clear vision for market entry within 2-3 years, and strong potential for scale-up and positive impact on Ukraine.
Grant Frequency and Program Context: This is a specific call (HORIZON-EIC-2025-UKRAINIANTECH-01) within the EIC Work Programme 2025, suggesting it's a one-time call for this year, part of the broader Horizon Europe program's efforts.

Financial Structure

Budget Range: The requested grant per project is expected to be between €300,000 and €500,000.
Total Funding: The total budget for this call in 2025 is €20,000,000.
Currency: All amounts are in EUR.
Eligible Costs: Funds should be used for activities related to: addressing investors, market readiness validation (market research, value proposition, business case, business model, growth prospects, IP protection, competitor analysis), and relevant aspects of regulation, certification, and standardization. Also, for the maturation and validation of novel technologies from TRL 4 to at least TRL 6-7.
Co-financing Requirements: Not explicitly stated in the provided text. It is a lump-sum grant, which typically simplifies reporting on eligible costs but doesn't remove co-financing if required by the program rules.
Payment Schedule and Mechanisms: The grant uses a 'Lump Sum Model Grant Agreement' (Lump Sum MGA), which means payments are based on the achievement of agreed milestones rather than detailed cost reporting.
Financial Reporting Requirements: Standard financial reporting as per the Lump Sum MGA and general Horizon Europe rules will apply, likely focusing on achievement of milestones rather than itemized expenditure.
Indirect Cost Policies: Not explicitly detailed for this specific call, but generally handled as part of the lump sum structure for Horizon Europe grants.
Funding Rate: Not explicitly defined in the provided document.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Eligibility

Organization Type: Eligible applicants are deep-tech startups and SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises).
Geographic Location: The primary focus is on Ukrainian tech innovators. If your company is currently located in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country, you are eligible to apply, but a clear intention to relocate back to Ukraine whenever feasible is expected.
Legal Structure: Not explicitly defined beyond 'startups' and 'SMEs', but implies legally registered entities.

Technical Requirements

Technology Readiness Level (TRL): Your technology must be validated in a laboratory environment, meaning at least TRL 4 (technology fully validated in a lab) must be completed at the time of application.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): You must possess the necessary IPRs to ensure 'freedom to operate' and adequate protection of your idea.
Market Potential: Your innovation should have the potential to reach application and market within 2-3 years.

Exclusion Criteria

Applications for non-civilian (military) applications are strictly excluded.

Application Process

Application Timeline

Application Submission System Opening Date: August 12, 2025.
Application Deadline: November 26, 2025 00:00:00+0000.
Submission Procedure: This is a single-stage application process.

Required Documentation and Materials

Application Form: You must complete the application form, specifically Part B, which details the proposal content.
Detailed Budget Table: A specific 'Detailed budget table (HE LS)' is required for lump sum grants.
Supporting Information: Familiarize yourself with the 'Amended EIC WP 2025' (Work Programme), 'HE Programme Guide', and 'Lump Sum MGA' documents for detailed conditions.

Support Offered

EIC Business Acceleration Services: Successful applicants gain free access to services like coaching and tailored events (e.g., for investor and market readiness).
Fast Track to EIC Accelerator: Winning this grant makes you eligible for a 'Fast Track' to the EIC Accelerator, which can provide access to larger grants and EIC Fund investments.

Project Implementation and Reporting Obligations

Project Outcome Expectation: By the project's end, you should demonstrate that your technology component has been tested and validated in a laboratory and other relevant environment (at least TRL 5 completed, preferably higher).
Market Readiness: You should be ready to apply for the EIC Accelerator and/or seek other investors or funding sources, or enter licensing/collaboration agreements.
Progress Tracking: Your application must include specific milestones and concrete, verifiable KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to assess progress towards market entry.

Post-Award Requirements and Compliance

Increased Visibility: The grant aims to increase your global visibility and access to funding and European/global markets.
Reporting: Ongoing reporting based on achieved milestones and KPIs will be required.

Evaluation Criteria

Excellence (Threshold: 4/5)

Technological Breakthrough: Your technology will be assessed on its degree of novelty, performance compared to existing solutions, and high commercial potential.
Objectives Credibility and Feasibility: The credibility and feasibility of your objectives for both technology development/maturation and business development (including KPIs) will be evaluated.
Methodology: The timing of your technology/innovation (is the market ready?), feasibility, and current/target TRL will be considered.

Impact (Threshold: 4/5)

Credibility of Impacts: The credibility and substantiality of the expected commercial impacts, both within the project and beyond (e.g., creating new sectors, setting new standards), are key.
Economic and/or Societal Benefits: Your proposed innovation's scale-up potential, capacity to gain or create new markets, and expected positive impacts for Ukraine (e.g., strategic autonomy, employment) will be scored.

Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation (Threshold: 3/5)

Quality and Motivation of the Team: The team's capabilities, motivation to move towards market, and expertise in creating commercial value and attractive business/investment propositions are critical.
KPIs and Milestones: Your project's milestones and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) must be present, relevant, clearly defined (measurable, well-timed, comparable), and trackable. The identification of main risks (technological, market, financial) and corresponding mitigation measures is also evaluated.
Workplan and Resource Allocation: The appropriateness and effectiveness of how you allocate resources (person-months, equipment) across work packages will be assessed.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

General Conditions: Adherence to general conditions for admissibility, eligibility, financial and operational capacity, as outlined in Annex 2 of the Amended EIC Work Programme 2025.
Permits and Authorizations: Any necessary permits and authorizations relevant to your project's scope must be secured.
Ethical Standards: Activities funded must be for civilian applications only.

Technical and IP Requirements

Intellectual Property (IP): You must possess the necessary Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) to ensure 'freedom to operate' and adequate protection of your idea.
Technology Specifications: Focus on deep-tech innovation. Your technology must start at TRL 4 (lab validated) and aim to reach at least TRL 6-7 (demonstrator in relevant environment) by project end.

Risk Management

Risk Identification: Your proposal must identify the main risks (e.g., technological, market, financial) associated with your project.
Mitigation Measures: You must describe concrete measures to mitigate identified risks to achieve project objectives.

Special Considerations

Relocation Expectation: For companies currently based in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, a clear intention to relocate back to Ukraine whenever feasible is expected.
Gender Equality: Applications from women-led companies are encouraged, indicating a preference for diversity.
Strategic Alignment: The innovation is expected to contribute to positive impacts for Ukraine, such as strategic autonomy and employment, aligning with broader EU support initiatives.
Innovation Focus: The grant specifically targets high-impact innovations that can create new markets or disrupt existing ones.
Market Vision: Applicants need a clear vision and planned pathway to market.

Grant Details