European Innovation Council (EIC)

About this programme

It supports all stages of innovation from R&D on the scientific underpinnings of breakthrough technologies, to validation and demonstration of breakthrough technologies and innovations to meet real world needs, to the development and scaling up of start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The funding and support consists of three main funding schemes:

  • the EIC Pathfinder for advanced research to develop the scientific basis to underpin breakthrough technologies
  • the EIC Transition to validate technologies and develop business plans for specific applications
  • the EIC Accelerator to support companies (SMEs, start-ups, spin-outs and in exceptional cases small mid-caps) to bring their innovations to market and scale up.

In each funding scheme, the direct financial support to innovators is augmented with access to a range of Business Acceleration Services. The three main EIC instruments offer both bottom-up calls and calls with predefined thematic priorities (challenges). In addition to these instruments there are the EIC Prizes, which reward innovative solutions offered by companies/organisations for pre-defined societal challenges or specific target audiences, such as women innovators, innovative cities, public or private procurers or social innovation.

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Your NCP contacts for this programme

Accelerator & Transition
Image of Magali Parent

Magali Parent

magali.parent@vlaio.be

+32 2 432 42 42

Transition & Pathfinder
Image of Ria De Breucker

Ria De Breucker

Ria.debreucker@vlaio.be

+32 2 553 13 77

Latest news

Work Programme & Calls

We offer a handy Excel file, weekly updated, containing an up-to-date overview of the Horizon Europe calls. call topics overview

Infosheets

Infosheets contain edited content on aspects related to this programme. They are reviewed at least yearly.

Testimonial

image of Autoship - a new and durable way of freight transport

Autoship - a new and durable way of freight transport

Autoship is, as the name suggests, an acronym for autonomous ship. Just like with self-driving cars, the possibilities of an unmanned boat seem endless. It can create more efficient freight transport, around the clock deliveries and these are just a few of the examples. The project has two societal challenges.

At first, De Vlaamse Waterweg was a bit hesitant as their experience with FP7 or Horizon 2020 projects was limited and they had not been very successful up until then. The fact that they were already doing basic research on the topic of autonomous boats, and the administrative help of NCP FLanders helped De Vlaamse waterweg to cross the line and get involved.