Article
What are the main novelties of the new program of the European Innovation Council?
The European Innovation Council (EIC), which is a part of the research and innovation program Horizon Europe by the European Union, has approved the new program for 2025 that will invest 1.400 million euros in deep tech and strategic technologies. In this article, we will explain the most prominent novelties on their main funding calls.
Lina Solarte
Funding of Public-private projects Technician
- The total budget amounts to 1.400 million euros, almost 200 more than in 2024.
- Launching of a 300 million euro initiative to provide scale up finance up to 30 million euros per project as part of the Strategic Technologies for Europe (STEP) program, with a shortened evaluation process and facilitated access to Invest EU Venture Debt support.
- Award of STEP Seal to facilitate access to alternative and complementary funding.
- An additional €250 million to support early-stage companies on specific technology enterprises, such as generative AI, agri-tech, or mobility solutions.
- €120 million on specific funding for emerging technologies for EIC Programme Managers, such as autonomous robot collectives and converting waste to put input materials.
- Amplification of the business acceleration services to include early-stage businesses from a growing number of countries as part of a new acceleration part by the EIC. Said services include, among others, access to trainers and mentors; access to innovation ecosystems; and innovation tests in potential buyers.
- About EIC Pathfinder: additional emphasis in the application on the potential solutions described in applicants proposals for technology visions.
- About EIC Transitions:
- More applicants invited to jury interviews.
- Introduction of a Seal of Excellence to ease access to other funding for excellent proposals when there is insufficient EIC funding.
- About EIC Accelerator:
- Reduced investment from €15 to 10 million, with the possibility of higher amounts via STEP Scale Up.
- Applicants must have completed, at least, a TRL 5.
- Applicants will be evaluated monthly with results in 4-6 weeks.
