Call for CSA (coordination and support action): Financial Support to access services from EIC Ecosystem Partners

The European Innovation Council (EIC) has launched a new Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action (CSA) entitled “Financial support to access services from Ecosystem Partners” under the procedure identifier HORIZON-EIC-2026-BAS-01.

The objective of this action is to enable EIC Awardees and other eligible entities to access high-quality, specialised services from EIC Ecosystem Partners across Europe, under the EIC Ecosystem Partnership Programme, supporting the incubation, acceleration, growth and scale-up of innovative technology companies, while strengthening excellence and connectivity within the European innovation ecosystem.

This action builds on experience gained through the ongoing EIC-supported initiative ACCESS+, with a view to consolidating and scaling access to the high-quality ecosystem services for EIC Awardees.

In particular, the services under this action will provide financial support to third parties in the form of lump sum grants awarded to EIC Awardees to co-fund access to services offered by EIC Ecosystem Partners. Supported services may include, among others, pitching and networking events, matchmaking with customers and investors, specialised training (e.g. IP protection or technology due diligence), innovation boot camps and summer schools, mentoring and business coaching, technology validation and acceleration services, and access to innovation infrastructures such as pilot plants and testbeds.

Financial support will cover:

• up to 70% of costs for R&D infrastructure, prototyping, IP and legal support; and
• up to 50% of costs for all other eligible services.

The maximum cumulative support per recipient is  €60 000. At least 80% of the total budget must be allocated to financial support to third parties.

The selected CSA beneficiary and/or consortium will implement a continuously open call for EIC Awardees, ensuring timely and flexible access to support. Applications must refer to a specific service provider listed in the EIC Ecosystem Partner Catalogue and include confirmation of approval from the selected partner. Lump sum grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to eligibility checks and verification of the absence of double funding.

The CSA beneficiary will also be responsible for:

• dissemination of information on the call and operation of a dedicated helpdesk;
• monitoring of services received by EIC Awardees;
• implementation of quality and impact surveys;
• establishment of real-time reporting and monitoring dashboards; and
• close coordination with the EIC and relevant contractors, including contribution to an uptake and impact report on the EIC Ecosystem Partnership Programme.

Call information

• Programme: Horizon Europe
• Type of action: Coordination and Support Action (CSA)
• Funding rate: 100% of eligible costs
• Estimated total value: €4.5 million
• Deadline: 26 March 2026, 17:00 CET (Brussels time)

Applications must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.