EIC Accelerator Challenges (thematic calls)
EIC Accelerator Challenges
Closes in 19 days
Applications close 2026-09-02.
Same instrument as EIC Accelerator Open (grant up to EUR 2.5m lump sum, optional EUR 1-10m equity) but restricted to named strategic technology Challenges. 2026 budget for Challenges EUR 220 million.
You must co-fund 30%.
European Innovation Council (EISMEA) / European Commission
public · supranational
Deadline: cutoff — EIC Accelerator 2026 short-proposal cut-offs at 17:00 Brussels time: 7 Jan, 4 Mar, 6 May, 8 Jul, 2 Sep, 4 Nov 2026. Challenge topics are fixed for the year and change annually.
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Moderate — a form and supporting documents.
You fund 30% yourself.
Who can apply
- Up to 499 employees
- Sectors: deeptech, health, climate, ai, space, manufacturing, energy
- Stage: seed, series_a, growth
- R&D activity required
- Locally registered entity required
Proposal must fall inside a named Challenge for that year's work programme. Same SME/small mid-cap eligibility as the Open track.
How to apply
- Check the Challenge topics published in the annual EIC Work Programme
- Submit short proposal selecting the relevant Challenge
- Full proposal at a Challenge-specific cut-off
- EIC Jury interview
- Grant agreement / investment due diligence
Source. https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-accelerator_en — checked 2026-08-14
"EUR 220 million to Accelerator Challenges and EUR 414 million to the Accelerator Open track"