Co-Creation Accelerator 2026-2027

Co-Creation Accelerator 2026-2027 (28DIGITAL/EIT Digital) offers cascade funding to early-stage deep-tech startups for four-month co-creation projects addressing industry challenges. The total indicative budget is €3,200,000 with individual awards up to €250,000 and no co-funding required. Eligible applicants are micro or small enterprises incorporated in EU Member States, Horizon Europe associated countries or listed partner countries, typically incorporated within the last five years, operating at TRL 4–5 with at least a prototype and a minimum of two FTEs. Key dates include an information session on 16 July 2026 and submission cut-offs with a hard deadline of 08 September 2026 (17:00 CEST) and an indicative second cut-off of 30 April 2027.

Call at a glance

Essential facts

Multi-topic call managed under HORIZON-EIT (EIT Digital 2026-27). Total indicative budget €3,200,000. Multiple cut-off model with deadlines 2026-09-08 17:00 UTC and 2027-04-30 17:00 UTC (second cut-off indicative).

What it funds:Short, four-month co-creation activities (example timeframe for Cut-Off 1: November 2026 to February 2027) to support startup collaboration and development in the EIT Digital Co-Creation Accelerator. ¹

Who can apply:Target applicants are startups and innovation teams eligible for EIT Digital acceleration activities; applicants must follow the call-specific eligibility and consortium rules set out in the call document.

1. 1Total budget: €3,200,000
2. 2Project duration per proposal: 4 months (fixed)
3. 3Deadlines: 8 September 2026 and 30 April 2027 (indicative second cut-off)

Full submission rules, eligibility criteria and application documents are available in the official call document and on the programme webpage.

Footnotes

1. 1Register for the information session on 16 July 2026 for details on eligibility, application process and evaluation (session organised by EIT Digital).

Basic Call Information

Call title:Co-Creation Accelerator 2026-2027. Identifier: HORIZON-EIT. Framework programme: Horizon Europe (EIT activities). Project acronym/Name: EIT Digital 2026-27 MoC Activities. Project Id (portal): 101298858. Call database id: 14841 / subpage id 49197485.

Available budget:Total budget indicated on the opportunity page: €3,200,000.

Execution timeframe:All proposals must have an execution timeframe of four months. Example cut-off 1 execution period: November 2026 – February 2027.

Deadlines and cut-offs:Multiple cut-off model. Two deadlines indicated: 8 September 2026, 17:00 UTC and 30 April 2027, 17:00 UTC. The portal also lists a closing/ingest date of 1 July 2026 for administrative listing. The second cut-off deadline is noted as indicative and will be confirmed in due course.

Who should apply and eligible applicant types

The program targets startups and early-stage companies. Portal materials and associated info sessions explicitly refer to this as a call for startups and present the call content, eligibility, application process, timeline and evaluation criteria for startup applicants. Given the accelerator nature, eligible applicant types typically include startups, entrepreneurs, SMEs and scale-ups. Other entities such as research organisations, universities or corporates may be able to participate only if explicitly stated in the official call documentation; the scraped page and info session description principally target startups.

Funding and support type

Primary funding instrument:grant-type support as part of an accelerator activity under EIT Digital MoC activities. The opportunity is an accelerator open call offering financial resources drawn from the indicated €3.2M budget combined with non-financial accelerator services (coaching, mentoring, business development, co-creation activities). The portal entry and event description frame the activity as an accelerator for startups rather than a public procurement or loan instrument.

Consortium requirement and application format

Consortium requirement:single beneficiary applications are expected (individual startup applicants). The call is described as an open competitive multi-topic call with multiple cut-offs. Applicants apply through the official call process described in the call document. The programme uses an open call submission model with deadlines (multiple cut-off).

Geographic eligibility

Beneficiary scope:EU Horizon/EIT activity implies eligibility for entities established in Horizon-eligible countries (EU Member States and associated/participating countries). The scraped metadata and call context indicate this is an EIT Digital activity implemented within Horizon Europe; the opportunity page is published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Exact list of eligible countries and associated countries will be specified in the official call documentation and applicant guidance ¹.

Target sectors and topics

The call is described as Multi-Topic and is part of EIT Digital Co-Creation activities. The specific challenges or thematic areas for the 2026-2027 accelerator rounds are described in the detailed call document linked by organisers. The portal materials and info session refer to a call for startups addressing the programme's set of challenges; likely topics align with EIT Digital priority domains (deep tech, digital technologies, ICT, AI, cybersecurity, digital transformation in verticals) but the scraped content does not list exact technology/topic areas. Applicants should consult the detailed call document for precise challenge descriptions ¹.

Expected project stage and applicant maturity:Target maturity: startups at early commercialisation, proof-of-concept or early scale-up phases appropriate for accelerator support. The info session specifically presents the call for startups, eligibility, application process, timeline and evaluation criteria, indicating that projects should be at a stage suitable for co-creation and acceleration (product-market fit development, pilot/demonstration readiness).

Project duration and timeline summary

Application process, templates and documentation

Application method:open call via EU Funding & Tenders Portal multiple cut-off call. Applicants must follow the full submission and evaluation process described in the call document. The scraped content references an external page for the call document and application guidance: 28digital.eu ¹. The portal indicates an Info Session is available and powered by Microsoft Teams to explain application requirements, eligibility, timeline and evaluation criteria.

Templates and application structure (where available):The scraped content does not include the specific submission templates but points to the full call document and organiser page. Typical accelerator call applications requested on such EIT/EIT Digital calls include: 1) Administrative data and legal entity information; 2) Short project/solution summary; 3) Description of team and roles; 4) Market need and value proposition; 5) Technical readiness and IP status; 6) Proposed co-creation activity and expected outcomes; 7) Workplan for the 4-month period with milestones and deliverables; 8) Budget and requested funding; 9) Ethical and regulatory considerations. Applicants should download the official call templates from the organiser webpage and the EU portal prior to submission ¹.

Financial and non-financial support details

Nature of support:combination of monetary support (grants from the programme budget) and non-monetary accelerator services (coaching, mentoring, business development, access to pilot customers, networking). The exact per-beneficiary funding amounts and the split between cash and in-kind services are not specified in the scraped material and will be detailed in the official call documents.

Co-funding, success rates and evaluation stages

Co-funding requirement:the scraped content does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required. Typical EIT Digital Co-Creation calls sometimes require limited co-funding or contribution in-kind from participating startups, but applicants must consult the call document for exact co-funding rules and eligibility. Success rates: not stated on the scraped page; success rate information is not available and will depend on the number of eligible applicants per cut-off and evaluation thresholds. Evaluation stages: the portal lists a submission and evaluation process; typical stages include initial eligibility check, remote evaluation/scoring, and selection; the exact number of stages and scoring criteria are defined in the official call documentation ¹.

Mentioned countries and geographic notes

No specific countries are listed in the scraped content beyond the EU portal context. The programme is an EIT Digital activity under Horizon Europe and thus applies to entities in EU Member States and Horizon-associated countries; exact eligibility per country will be defined in the call documentation ¹.

1. 1Eligible Applicant Types: Startups and early-stage companies (SMEs, entrepreneurs); potential participation by scale-ups. Other organisation types (research institutes, universities, corporates) are not explicitly listed in the scraped content and must be verified in the official call document.
2. 2Funding Type: Grant support within an accelerator programme combined with non-financial services (coaching, mentoring, business development).
3. 3Consortium Requirement: Single applicant expected (individual startup applications) under a multiple cut-off open call model.
4. 4Beneficiary Scope: Entities established in Horizon-eligible countries (EU Member States and associated countries); verify details in official documentation.
5. 5Target Sector: Multi-topic digital/ICT focus as part of EIT Digital co-creation; likely digital deep-tech domains but exact topics specified in call document.
6. 6Project Stage: Early-stage startups, proof-of-concept to early commercialisation/demonstration appropriate for accelerator activities.
7. 7Funding Amount: Total call budget €3,200,000. Per-beneficiary amounts not specified on scraped page.
8. 8Application Type: Open competitive call with multiple cut-offs (deadlines listed for 8 Sep 2026 and 30 Apr 2027).
9. 9Nature of Support: Monetary grants plus non-monetary accelerator services.
10. 10Application Stages: Not fully specified; typical process involves eligibility check, evaluation and selection (2–3 stages).
11. 11Success Rates: Not provided; depends on applications per cut-off and selection thresholds.
12. 12Co-funding Requirement: Not specified in scraped content; check call document for exact rules.
13. 13Templates: Call document and templates are available from organisers and the portal; typical structure includes administrative data, project summary, team, workplan, budget and deliverables. See organiser link for full templates ¹.

How to proceed:Interested startups should register and follow the call on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Attend the Info Session on 16 July 2026 to learn eligibility criteria, the application process, timeline and evaluation criteria. Download the full call document and any application templates from the organiser webpage (28digital.eu) and the portal before preparing submissions. Note the multi cut-off deadlines and the fixed four-month execution period.

Footnotes

1. 1Full submission and evaluation process, eligibility criteria, templates and detailed topic/challenge descriptions are available in the official call document and organiser pages: 28digital.eu and the EU Funding & Tenders Portal call page: ec.europa.eu

Program Highlights and Objectives

The Co-Creation Accelerator 2026-2027 is a cascade funding program by 28DIGITAL, designed to bring early-stage deep tech startups together with industry partners to co-develop solutions addressing real-world challenges ¹. The program focuses on validating core technology at TRL 4–5, strengthening problem-solution fit, reducing technical and market uncertainty, and building a clear path toward market entry ².

Total Budget:The total indicative budget for this call is €3,200,000, with individual awards up to €250,000 per startup without any co-funding requirement ³.

Program Duration:Selected projects will run for a four-month execution timeframe, specifically from November 16, 2026, to February 2027 for the first cut-off ⁴.

Who Should Apply

Applicants must be micro or small enterprises (fewer than 50 employees) incorporated and operating in an EU Member State, a Horizon Europe associated country, or specific low- and middle-income countries linked to the EU ⁵.

1. 1Must be incorporated within the last five years
2. 2Must operate at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or above (TRL 4–5 preferred)
3. 3Must employ at least two full-time equivalent (FTE) staff members
4. 4Must possess or control key intellectual property (IP) or technology assets
5. 5Must have a working prototype or proof of concept validated in an experimental setting

This program is not suitable for idea-stage teams without a prototype; applicants must demonstrate a capable team with technical and business expertise and early engagement with users or industry ⁶.

Application Tracks and Eligible Countries

Eligible countries include the EU 27, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, South Korea, Tunisia, Türkiye, UK, and Ukraine ⁷.

Key Benefits for Selected Startups

• Financial support of up to €250,000 with no co-funding required
• Direct collaboration with industry leaders on specific challenges
• Access to fundraising assistance and investor visibility
• Intensive expert-led training through the Speed Master and MentorMe programmes
• Visibility across 28DIGITAL's European innovation ecosystem (corporates, public sector, investors, academia)

Deadlines and Application Process

The first submission deadline is September 08, 2026, at 17:00 CEST (hard deadline, no extensions) ⁸. The second cut-off deadline is indicative and set for April 30, 2027, at 17:00 CEST, pending confirmation ⁹.

Information Session:An official Information Session is scheduled for July 16, 2026, at 15:00 CEST to explain eligibility, the application process, timeline, and evaluation criteria ¹⁰.

To apply, organizations must first register in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal to obtain a nine-digit Participant Identification Code (PIC number), then register as 28DIGITAL partners and access the submission system via the Co-Creation Accelerator 2026–2027 page ¹¹.

Proposals will be evaluated against criteria including Excellence, Impact, Quality and efficiency of implementation, and Challenge and Strategic Fit ¹². Accepted proposals will start activities on November 16, 2026 ¹³.

Footnotes

1. 1Program overview and objectives: Co-Creation Accelerator 2026-2027 - EIT
2. 2Technical focus and goals: RFAs: Co-Creation Accelerator Programme 2026–2027
3. 3Budget and award details: Co-Creation Accelerator 2026-2027 - Grants - Development Aid
4. 4Program duration: 2026-2027 MOC Activities - EIT Portal
5. 5Eligibility criteria: RFAs: Co-Creation Accelerator Programme 2026–2027
6. 6Startup requirements: Co-Creation Accelerator 2026-2027 - EIT
7. 7Eligible countries: Co-Creation Accelerator 2026-2027 - Grants - Development Aid
8. 8First deadline: Co-Creation Accelerator 2026-2027 – Proposals Submission
9. 9Second deadline: 2026-2027 MOC Activities - EIT Portal
10. 10Information session: INFO SESSION: Co-Creation Accelerator 2026/2027 - Microsoft Teams
11. 11Application steps: Co-Creation Accelerator 2026-2027 - EIT
12. 12Evaluation criteria: Co-Creation Accelerator 2026-2027 - EIT
13. 13Start date: Co-Creation Accelerator 2026-2027 - EIT