The European Innovation Council (EIC) aims to identify and support breakthrough technologies and game changing innovations to create new markets and scale up internationally.
The European Innovation Council (EIC), established under the Horizon Europe programme (2021-27), has a €10.1 billion budget to drive pioneering innovations across the business lifecycle—from early-stage research to proof of concept, technology transfer, and the financing and scale-up of start-ups and SMEs.
Innovations in EIC
The EIC’s primary goal is to identify, develop, and deploy high-risk, high-impact innovations, with a focus on breakthrough, market-creating, and deep-tech solutions. It supports rapid scaling of innovative technologies and companies (mainly start-ups and SMEs) at European and global levels, enhancing EU technological sovereignty. The EIC Board, composed of independent innovators (entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and ecosystem leaders), guides its strategy. The EIC and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) implements the annual EIC Work Programme under the Board’s direction.
Types of EIC funding
The EIC organizes funding into three core schemes:
EIC Programme Managers proactively manage projects and portfolios, linking schemes to maximize innovation breakthroughs. Most funding comes through 'Open Funding' calls, supporting any technology without predefined themes, while 'Strategic Challenges' target EU priorities like green, digital, and health transitions, informed by stakeholders and Horizon Europe goals.
Information, call and deadlines
Visit the EIC website for more details. Find call information and deadlines on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal