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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

- - The core objective of this grant is to increase the innovation potential of deep-tech startups in 'Widening Countries' and enhance their ability to attract private investments and scale up. - The primary target recipients are deep-tech startups which are classified as 'Small and Medium Enterprises' (SMEs). - This is a SECTOR-SPECIFIC grant, exclusively focused on deep-tech innovation. - The geographic scope is limited to 'Horizon Europe Widening Countries'. - Key filtering criteria include being a deep-tech SME located in a Widening country, possessing high-impact innovation, and demonstrating a clear ambition to scale. - The grant is part of the EIC pre-accelerator program within Horizon Europe, suggesting a recurring call within the broader framework.

Financial Structure

The grant amount will be between EUR 300,000 and EUR 500,000.
The funding rate is 70% of the eligible costs.
A 30% co-funding is required, to be covered by the beneficiary's own resources.
Funding is provided in the form of a lump sum, meaning payments depend on the proper implementation of work packages, not on actual incurred costs.
Eligible costs are expected to cover activities related to investor and market readiness (e.g., market research, business case development, IP protection, competitor analysis, regulation, certification) and/or maturation and validation of novel technologies from TRL 4 up to TRL 6.
Indirect costs are included in the lump sum calculation, with a flat rate of 25% applied to qualifying direct cost categories.
Payments for lump sum contributions per work package are made if the conditions are met; if not met in a reporting period, they could be paid in a subsequent period, or the grant may be reduced.
A portion (5-8%) of the total lump sum is retained as a contribution to the Mutual Insurance Mechanism.
There is no obligation for beneficiaries to document costs incurred for the action; financial checks and audits will focus on technical implementation and fulfilment of work package conditions.

Eligibility Requirements

Applications must be submitted by a single legal entity (mono-beneficiary).
Organizational Type
Eligible organizations must be a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME).
Geographic Location
Beneficiaries must be established in a 'Horizon Europe Widening country'. (Specific country list not provided in document).
Technology Requirements
Applicants must have developed technology validated in the lab (at least Technology Readiness Level - TRL 4).
The project aims to develop innovations from TRL 4 to TRL 5/6.
Intellectual Property
Applicants must possess the necessary Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) to ensure freedom to operate and adequate protection of their idea.
Financial and Operational Capacity
Applicants must meet the financial and operational capacity requirements described in Annex C of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes (details not specified in the provided text).
Exclusion Criteria
Standard exclusion criteria apply as described in Annex C of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Application Process

Application Deadlines
The application deadline for this call is 2025-11-18.
The submission session became available on 2025-06-12.
This is a single-stage submission process.
Required Documentation and Materials
Part B of the application form, corresponding to the evaluation criteria (Excellence, Impact, Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation), must consist of a maximum of 22 A4 pages. Excess pages will be ignored.
A specific pre-accelerator application form for this call is available in the Submission System.
Applicants must propose the amount of the lump sum contribution based on estimated direct and indirect project costs, providing a breakdown per work package and per beneficiary/affiliated entity.
The proposal must detail activities covered by each work package and all related resources.
Application Procedure
Applications are submitted through the Electronic Submission Service on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
Project Implementation
The expected project duration is up to 2 years.
At the end of the project, the technology component of the innovation needs to be tested and validated in a laboratory and other relevant environment (e.g., at least completed all aspects of TRL 5).
The project should result in the applicant being ready to apply for EIC Accelerator funding, seek other investors/funding sources, or enter licensing/collaboration agreements.
Post-Award Support
Successful applicants and those awarded a 'Seal of Excellence' will receive free access to the EIC Business Acceleration Services, including coaching and specific events tailored to their needs (e.g., improving investor and market readiness).
Access to the EIC Accelerator Fast Track will be granted for submissions to the Accelerator programme following a project review in the second half of the project.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated by 3 independent evaluators following award criteria for EIC Transition Open.
Excellence (Threshold: 4/5)
Technological breakthrough: Assesses the degree of novelty, higher performance compared to existing technologies, and high commercial potential.
Objectives: Credibility and feasibility of objectives for planned technology development, maturation, business development process, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Methodology: Evaluates the timing (feasibility, minimum TRL, unique selling points) of the technology/innovation.
Impact (Threshold: 4/5)
Credibility of commercial impacts: Extent to which expected commercial impacts are credible and substantial within the project and beyond (e.g., across sectors, setting new standards).
Economic and/or societal benefits: Scale-up potential, capacity to gain or create new European or global markets, and expected positive impacts for the European Union, Member States, or Associated Countries (e.g., strategic autonomy, employment).
Investment readiness and go-to-market strategy: Contribution to making the technology and team investment ready (including IP protection and market validation), clarity and convincing nature of the go-to-market strategy, including regulatory approvals, time to market, and business/revenue model.
Quality and efficiency of the implementation (Threshold 3/5)
Quality and motivation of the team: Assesses the team's capabilities and motivation to move decisively towards the market, and their expertise to create unique commercial value and an attractive business/investment proposition.
KPIs and Milestones: Presence, relevance, and clear definition (measurable, timed, comparable) of milestones and KPIs to track progress. Identification of main risks (technological, market, financial) and mitigation measures.
Workplan and allocation of resources: Appropriateness and effectiveness of resource allocation (person-months and equipment) across work packages.
Ex-aequo Applications Prioritization
Proposals with coordinators established in a Widening Country, not otherwise represented higher in the ranking, will be prioritized first based on geographical diversity.
Remaining equally ranked proposals will then be prioritized following the method described in Points 1), 2), 3), and 5) of General Annexes Part F (Procedure/Evaluation procedure and ranking).

Compliance & Special Requirements

General Compliance
Applicants must comply with general conditions, including admissibility conditions, eligible countries as described in Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Technical Readiness and Innovation
Focus on advancing 'deep-tech' innovation, which is defined as technology based on cutting-edge scientific advances with transformative potential, distinct from 'high-tech' (TRL 4 to TRL 5/6).
Projects must demonstrate a clear vision on the intended pathway and route to market, including specific milestones and verifiable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Risk Management
Main risks (technological, market, financial) must be identified, along with measures to mitigate them, to achieve project objectives.
Intellectual Property
Applicants must possess necessary Intellectual Property Rights to ensure freedom to operate and adequate protection of their idea.
Lump Sum Funding
The grant uses a lump sum funding model, meaning payments are linked to the successful completion of work packages rather than detailed cost reporting.
Seal of Excellence
Proposals that meet all evaluation thresholds but cannot be funded due to budget limitations will be awarded a 'Seal of Excellence', granting them access to EIC Business Acceleration Services.
Cross-Cutting Considerations
The grant aims to generate positive impacts for the European Union, Member States, or Associated Countries, including contributions to strategic autonomy and employment.

Grant Details