EIC Accelerator Challenges (thematic calls)
EIC Accelerator Challenges
Closes in 34 days
Applications close 2026-11-04.
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%. Work out the cash you need
European Innovation Council (EISMEA) / European Commission
public · supranational
Deadline: Fixed cut-off dates — EIC Accelerator 2026 cut-offs at 17:00 Brussels time: 7 Jan, 4 Mar, 6 May, 8 Jul, 2 Sep, 4 Nov 2026. The 2 Sep 2026 cut-off has passed; next cut-off 4 November 2026.
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 and 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
Related reading: How grant deadlines actually work · The EIC Accelerator, explained
Source. https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-accelerator_en
"EUR 220 million to Accelerator Challenges and EUR 414 million to the Accelerator Open track"
Verified on 25 September 2026
Source: eic.ec.europa.eu
Similar programmes
European Innovation Council Pathfinder
Open continuouslyEuropean Innovation Council (European Commission / EISMEA)
European Innovation Council Accelerator
Closes in 34 daysEuropean Innovation Council (European Commission / EISMEA)
European Innovation Council Pathfinder Challenges
Status not publishedEuropean Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) / European Commission, under Horizon Europe
European Innovation Council Transition
Status not publishedEuropean Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) / European Commission, under Horizon Europe
Creative Europe Culture strand
Usually opens in October and JanuaryEuropean Commission (EACEA), Creative Europe
European Innovation Council Pre-Accelerator
Status not publishedEuropean Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) / European Commission, under the Horizon Europe Widening (WIDERA) work programme
Free
Get deadline alerts for European Union programmes
One email when a programme in your country closes in 2 weeks or 3 days, or newly opens. No spam, one click to stop. Covers every programme in the country you pick. Free covers one country; a paid plan can watch as many as you like.
Paid, separate from Unclaimed
Want a human to review your application?
Involve Consulting can help — a paid expert-review service run by the same person behind Unclaimed, entirely separate from this free check. A flat fee, agreed up front; never a cut of what you receive.
Talk to Involve Consulting