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European Innovation Council

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Understanding Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

Technology Readiness Level, TRL, is a method for defining the maturity of an innovation and its relation to the market. The European Commission introduced this type of measurement system to provide a guide to the stage of development. The following definitions of TRLs apply for the EIC funding streams.

RESEARCH 

  1. TRL1

    Basic principles observed

  2. TRL2

    Technology concept formulated

  3. TRL3

    Experimental proof of concept

DEVELOPMENT 

  1. TRL4

    Technology validated in lab

  2. TRL5

    Technology validated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies)

  3. TRL6

    Technology demonstrated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies) 

DEPLOYMENT 

  1. TRL7

    System prototype demonstration in operational environment

  2. TRL8

    System complete and qualified

  3. TRL9

    Actual system proven in operational environment (competitive manufacturing in the case of key enabling technologies, or in space)