The European Commission adopted the 2026 work programme of the European Innovation Council. It opens funding opportunities worth over €1.4 billion for strategic technologies and scaling up companies.
Get funding
Research & Innovation grants for breakthrough research from laboratory to prototype.
Market-readiness grants for preparing to enter the market
High-risk, demand-driven deep tech innovation with transformative potential
Develop the technology, business and investment readiness in widening countries
Scale-Up Grants & Investments for scaling up business
Major investments to help companies become global leaders
Get recognition
Take the challenge and compete for an EIC Prize which rewards Europe's leading innovators
Invest with us
The EIC Fund is looking for investment partners - Learn how to invest with the European Innovation Council and check the Investment Guidelines.
Support for EIC beneficiaries
Benefit from a wide range of services: access to coaches, mentors, access to global partners & innovation ecosystem.
EIC advisers and collaborators
Meet the leading innovators who advise the EIC on its overall strategy and performance
Meet our in-house experts who head EIC support in various portfolios such as health, digital, green-deal, space, construction or technology
EIC ambassadors act as a voice for the EIC in the Member States, and provide feedback from all corners of the innovation ecosystem
The EIC draws on a wide range of external advice and expertise in order to select the most promising projects and companies and to support them
EIC PodcastsThe game changers: from idea to innovative business. Interviews with EIC Programme Managers - technology experts from fascinating industries including space, energy, health and quantum - on the latest technology trends.
Tech TalksVisionary Programme Managers – in collaboration with various experts from across the European tech ecosystem – guide and connect portfolios of EIC projects and companies in support of major technological goals. Hear more from them in these videos.
Latest statistics - Pathfinder results
News
On 4 December, the European Commission announced the winners of the 2026 European Capital of Innovation Awards (iCapital)
349 Ukrainian tech SMEs and start-ups submitted a proposal for support under the EIC call.
Strong level of participation demonstrates the growing momentum of deep-tech innovation across widening countries, as well as the demand for targeted support to help early-stage companies scale and compete at European and global levels.
These first investments go to IQM Computers and Zadient Technologies, two pioneering European scale-ups that exemplify the ambition and excellence of the EIC portfolio.
The EIC STEP Scale Up scheme provides investments of between €10 and €30 million (per company) aiming to leverage private co-investment and achieve financing rounds of €50 to €150 million or more.
The 2026 edition introduces several key improvements and new elements.
HorizonEU - Innovative Europe
Creating more connected and efficient innovation ecosystems to support the scaling of companies and spur innovation
Increase Europe’s ability to innovate by nurturing entrepreneurial talent and supporting new ideas
Promote coordination and dialogue on the development of the Union's innovation ecosystem