The European Commission adopted the 2023 work programme of the European Innovation Council. It opens funding opportunities worth over €1.6 billion in 2023 for breakthrough innovators to scale up and create new markets.

EIC Pathfinder (€343 million) for multi-disciplinary research teams to undertake visionary research with the potential to lead to technology breakthroughs.

  • Research teams can apply for up to €3 or €4 million in grants. Calls will open on 7 December (Pathfinder Open) and 20 June (Pathfinder Challenges)
  • The bulk of the funding is awarded through open calls with no predefined thematic priorities, while €163.5 million is allocated to tackle five challenges: clean and efficient cooling, construction digitalisation, precision nutrition, responsible electronics, in-space solar energy

EIC Transition (€128.3 million) to turn research results into innovation opportunities.

  • Calls focus on results generated by EIC Pathfinder projects and European Research Council Proof of Concept projects, to mature the technologies and build a business case for specific applications. Apply anytime (cut-off dates: 12 April, 27 September)
  • €60.5 million is allocated to tackle three Transition Challenges: micro-nano-bio devices, environmental intelligence, chip-scale optical frequency combs

EIC Accelerator (€1.13 billion) for start-ups and SMEs to develop and scale up high impact innovations with the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones.

  • Grants below €2.5 million, equity investments from €0.5 up to €15 million. Apply anytime (cut-off dates: 11 January 2023 (Accelerator Open only), 22 March 2023, 7 June 2023, 4 October 2023)
  • €525 million earmarked for next generation technologies in strategic areas for Europe, including: biomarkers for cancer, decontamination for pandemic management, energy storage, New European Bauhaus, quantum or semiconductor components, resilient agriculture, space technologies and services.

All projects of the European Innovation Council have access to Business Acceleration Services, which provides coaches, mentors and expertise, partnering opportunities with corporates, investors and others, and a range of other services and events.