EIC Pre-accelerator - Widening

The EIC Pre-accelerator - Widening is a Horizon Europe WIDERA single-stage call providing lump-sum grants to early-stage deep-tech SMEs established in Horizon Widening countries. The 2027 call has an indicative budget of €40 million and individual grants typically range between €300,000 and €1,000,000. Funding covers up to 70% of eligible costs with beneficiaries required to provide 30% co-funding; projects run up to 24 months and must mature technology from at least TRL 4 toward TRL 5/6 while improving investor and market readiness. Applications are mono-beneficiary (single SME) submitted via the Funding & Tenders Portal; successful awardees and Seal of Excellence recipients gain access to EIC Business Acceleration Services and potential Fast Track to the EIC Accelerator, deadline 18 November 2027 17:00 Brussels time.

What it funds

Grants to help early-stage deep-tech startups in Horizon Widening countries mature technology (TRL 4 to TRL 5/6), improve investor and market readiness, validate demonstrators, and prepare for EIC Accelerator or other private/national funding.

Grant size and form:Lump-sum grants between €300,000 and €500,000 per project for up to 2 years; funding rate up to 70% of eligible costs (30% co-funding by beneficiary).

Who can apply

Mono-beneficiary applications only. Eligible applicants must be a small or medium enterprise (SME) legally established in a Horizon Europe Widening country (see call for full list).

1. 1Applicant must be an SME based in a Widening country and submit as sole beneficiary
2. 2Project must work on deep-tech (science-based, transformative) and show at least TRL 4 at submission
3. 3Applicants must demonstrate IP ownership/freedom-to-operate, a clear route-to-market, milestones and measurable KPIs

Typical eligible uses:market and investor readiness (market research, business model, IP, regulatory/standardisation work) and technology maturation/validation to demonstrators (up to TRL 6).

Selection and evaluation highlights:Proposals are single-stage; evaluated by independent experts against Excellence, Impact and Quality of Implementation with strict thresholds; Seals of Excellence may be awarded if quality exceeds thresholds but budget is unavailable.

Successful awardees and Seal of Excellence holders get free access to EIC Business Acceleration Services (coaching, investor events, Fast Track to EIC Accelerator) EIC Business Acceleration Services ¹.

Apply via the Funding & Tenders Portal topic page:Call page.

Footnotes

1. 1EIC Business Acceleration Services provide coaching, matchmaking, investor readiness and procurement support to EIC awardees and Seal of Excellence beneficiaries.

Synopsis and purpose

Call for proposals under Horizon Europe WIDERA (Widening participation and spreading excellence). Single-stage call opening 05 May 2027 with deadline 18 November 2027 (17:00 Brussels time). This EIC Pre-accelerator - Widening action provides grants (lump sum mechanism) to early-stage deep-tech startups located in Horizon Widening countries. The objective is to increase the investor, business and technology readiness of high-potential deep-tech SMEs (startups) in widening countries so they can attract EIC Accelerator funding, private investment, national/regional funding or licensing/collaboration opportunities. Support targets maturation from Technology Readiness Level 4 up to TRL 5/6 and investor/market readiness.

Expected outcomes:Increased business, investor and technology readiness of deep-tech startups in widening countries leading to: successful applications to EIC Accelerator; securing private investments; or obtaining alternative national/regional funding (e.g. Seal of Excellence). Successful projects should complete at least TRL 5 and be ready to approach investors or apply to Accelerator schemes.

Key financial and administrative facts

1. 1Funding type: Grant under Horizon Europe using a lump sum funding approach (HORIZON-AG-LS).
2. 2Funding rate: Up to 70% of eligible costs (lump sum already reflects applicable funding rate).
3. 3Beneficiary co-funding: 30% co-funding required from beneficiaries’ own resources.
4. 4Indicative grant size per project: Lump sums between €300,000 and €500,000 are considered appropriate for up to 24 months.
5. 5Total topic budget: Indicative €40,000,000 for 2027 with an indicative 60 grants expected (call documentation lists €40M and indicative number of grants 60).
6. 6Form of grant: Lump sum payment(s) defined in the grant agreement and Decision authorising use of lump sums under Horizon Europe.
7. 7Type of MGA: HORIZON Lump Sum Grant (HORIZON-AG-LS).

Deadline and procedure:Single-stage submission; planned opening 05 May 2027; deadline 18 November 2027 17:00 Brussels time. Submission through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal electronic submission system using the Portal Part A (administrative) and Part B (technical) application forms.

Eligibility and applicant profile

This topic has specific and general eligibility rules drawn from the Horizon Europe General Annexes and the WIDERA work programme text. Applicants must ensure they satisfy both the call-specific rules below and the General Annex B rules for participation and funding.

1. 1Eligible applicant types: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) only. The call explicitly requires the beneficiary to be an SME established in a Horizon Europe Widening country. The action is mono-beneficiary: only one legal entity submits and signs the grant agreement.
2. 2Geographic eligibility: Beneficiaries must be established in a Widening country. Widening countries include: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Associated Countries with equivalent R&I performance (for example Albania, Armenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine and, when associated, Morocco and Egypt), as well as the EU Outermost Regions (Article 349 TFEU).
3. 3Project leader profile: Early-stage deep-tech startups with technology validated in laboratory (minimum TRL 4), ownership or adequate protection of Intellectual Property Rights, and a clear roadmap to market (milestones and measurable KPIs).
4. 4Consortium requirement: Single applicant (mono-beneficiary). No consortium is allowed for this topic.
5. 5Application language and registration: Applications may be submitted in any official EU language but English is recommended. Applicants must be registered in the Participant Register and provide PIC and legal documents during grant preparation.

Scope and technical expectations

Focus on deep-tech startups with:(1) high-impact innovations (technology, product, service or business model) that can create or disrupt markets and (2) ambition and commitment to scale. Deep-tech is defined as innovations rooted in cutting-edge science and engineering that require sustained R&I at the knowledge frontier and frequent interaction with laboratory results, and that may combine advances across physical, biological and digital domains. The call supports maturation beyond proof-of-concept (from TRL 4 towards TRL 5 or TRL 6), investor and market readiness activities, and business development to enable follow-on EIC Accelerator or private financing.

1. 1Eligible technical activities to be funded: market research, value proposition and business modelling, investor readiness work, IP protection and freedom-to-operate validation, regulatory and certification work (if applicable), maturation and demonstration of the technology in relevant environments up to TRL 5/6.
2. 2Non-eligible scope: Actions must focus on civil applications and comply with ethical and legal rules in Horizon Europe. The call is not for large-scale commercialization or production activities beyond advance demonstrators.

Expected deliverables / end-of-project state:By project end the startup must have: demonstrated laboratory and relevant-environment testing of the technology (at least completed TRL 5 aspects), measurable progress against KPIs and milestones toward market entry, and be ready to apply to EIC Accelerator, attract investors, secure licensing/collaboration, or access other funding. Successful awardees and Seal of Excellence holders receive free access to EIC Business Acceleration Services including coaching, events and potential fast-track access to the Accelerator for a submission following a mid-project review ¹.

Evaluation and award

Evaluation follows Horizon general award procedures with specific adaptations for this call. Proposals are evaluated by three independent evaluators using award criteria aligned to the EIC Transition Open evaluation (EIC Work Programme 2027) split into three criteria: Excellence (threshold 4/5), Impact (threshold 4/5) and Quality & Efficiency of Implementation (threshold 3/5).

1. 1Excellence: novelty, breakthrough potential, feasibility of technology development, and credibility of business KPIs and objectives.
2. 2Impact: credibility and scale of commercial and societal impact, investment readiness, go-to-market strategy, and contribution to enhancing innovation potential of widening countries.
3. 3Quality & Efficiency of Implementation: team capability and motivation, relevance and measurability of milestones and KPIs, risk identification and mitigation, and resource allocation.

Ex aequo ranking rules prioritise geographical diversity (proposals with coordinators in widening countries not otherwise represented higher up the list) and then apply general Annex F methods. Applications exceeding thresholds but unfunded due to budget limits may receive a Seal of Excellence.

Application, forms and templates

Applications are submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal. The submission uses Part A (administrative data) and Part B (technical description). For this topic the call uses Horizon Lump Sum rules. Application templates and guidance are provided inside the Submission System; applicants must comply with Part B page limits defined by the system (Part B here must adhere to the page limits for CSAs and lump sum calls as set in the General Annexes).

1. 1Structure: Part A (online administrative fields) plus Part B (uploaded PDF containing Excellence, Impact and Implementation sections and workplan and milestones).
2. 2Part B page limits: For Coordination and Support Actions the general Part B limit is 30 pages unless otherwise indicated in the topic page. Excess pages are automatically hidden and not evaluated.
3. 3Lump sum detailed budget table: For lump sums applicants must upload a detailed budget table in the Submission System describing estimated costs; this table is used to justify the lump sum and must comply with eligibility rules for actual cost grants. If incorrect or ineligible costs are shown the grant amount may be adjusted.

Applicant requirements, checks and legal aspects

Eligible applicants must satisfy admissibility, eligibility, exclusion, and financial/operational capacity checks described in the Horizon Europe General Annexes. For this topic the beneficiary must be an SME established in a widening country and will sign a lump sum HORIZON-AG-LS grant agreement. Applicants must complete ethics self-assessments if relevant and comply with security and intellectual property provisions in the model grant agreement. Legal entity validation and, where relevant, financial capacity checks will be performed during grant preparation.

Co-funding, payments and financial regime

Grants are lump sums calibrated to cover eligible costs up to the maximum funding rate. The topic specifies 70% funding rate with 30% co-funding expected from the beneficiary. Lump sums are fixed according to the Decision authorising lump sum use under Horizon Europe. Payments and reporting are governed by the Lump Sum Model Grant Agreement; the grant will define duration (up to 24 months) and milestones/deliverables to justify payment instalments. The estimated typical award amounts are €300,000–500,000 lump sums per project.

Project stage, sectors and target beneficiaries

1. 1Target sector(s): Deep-tech broadly defined across physical, biological and digital spheres — DeepTech, DeepTech-enabled fields, advanced materials, biotech/medtech, cleantech, semiconductors/advanced components, AI combined with physical/digital systems and other frontier technologies.
2. 2Project maturity: Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 (validated in lab) up to TRL 5/6 (validated in relevant environment / demonstrated in relevant environment); business and investor readiness activities to prepare for follow-on funding and scale-up.
3. 3Eligible beneficiaries: Early-stage deep-tech SMEs/startups established in widening countries; mono-beneficiary applications only.

Application process and timeline

Application stages, success rates and selection odds

Application type:open single-stage call. Number of formal selection stages: 1 evaluation stage followed by grant preparation (legal/financial checks). Evaluation involves independent external experts (three evaluators) and panel review producing an Evaluation Summary Report. Reserve list and Seal of Excellence may be used where budget limits prevent immediate funding.

Success rates:No specific historic success rate is provided on the topic page. The chance of success depends on call competition and quality of proposals; applicants should assume a competitive selection process (call-level indicative number of grants is 60 for the topic and available budget €40M). Exact success probability is not specified in the call documents.

Evaluation scoring and thresholds (summary)

1. 1Three criteria and thresholds: Excellence (threshold 4/5), Impact (threshold 4/5), Quality & Efficiency of Implementation (threshold 3/5).
2. 2Proposals must pass all individual thresholds to be considered for funding.
3. 3Ex-aequo prioritisation: geography and spreading widening impact; further prioritisation steps are defined in General Annex F.

Specific compliance requirements and cross-cutting priorities

Projects must adhere to Horizon Europe ethical, security, open science and gender equality rules. Applicants should include KPIs and milestones that are measurable, timed and comparable, address risks and mitigation, and explain how the project contributes to the widening countries’ innovation potential. Gender equality plans and gender dimension integration where relevant should be addressed according to General Annexes and WIDERA priorities.

Templates and application structure (guidance)

The submission system presents the official application forms. Important application components and suggested structure: Part A: administrative data, legal name, PIC, contact details, requested grant amount and call-specific questions. Part B (technical PDF): 1) Excellence: background, state-of-the-art, TRL status, IP and lab validation evidence; 2) Impact: market opportunity, go-to-market strategy, investor readiness plan, expected commercial and EU impacts, KPIs and target outcomes; 3) Implementation: work plan, milestones, deliverables, resource allocation, personnel and expertise, risks and mitigation, timetable (Gantt), budget justification (detailed lump sum budget table uploaded in the Submission System). For this CSA call Part B page limits apply (Coordination and Support Action limits) and applicants must not exceed the indicated number of pages in the electronic form. Annexes: CV(s) of founders/key personnel, evidence of IP ownership/protection, TRL validation evidence, support letters if appropriate. The detailed lump sum budget table must be provided in the format required by the Submission System and should reflect realistic estimates of costs even though payment is lump-sum based.

Co-funding, eligible cost types and grant usage

The grant funding is provided as a lump sum, with the funding rate applied at selection. Although lump sums are fixed, the applicant must justify the costs using the detailed budget table. The requested lump sum should be used for investor readiness and market activities (market research, value proposition, business modelling, IP protection, regulatory/certification work), and/or for technology maturation and validation to reach TRL 5/6 (lab and relevant environment testing and demonstrators). Up to 70% of eligible costs are covered by EU contribution; beneficiaries must provide 30% co-financing from own resources.

Nature of support and post-award services

Financial support:lump sum grant to the SME beneficiary (money). Non-financial support: awarded projects and Seal of Excellence holders gain free access to EIC Business Acceleration Services (coaching, investor events, matchmaking, procurement and corporate partnership services) and may be eligible for EIC Accelerator Fast Track after a mid-project review. EIC Business Acceleration Services provide coaching, investor readiness, global expansion, corporate partnership brokerage, procurement support and trade fair exposure ¹.

Mentioned countries and region list

Explicitly mentioned Widening countries and associated countries eligible to host coordinators: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia. Associated Countries with equivalent characteristics mentioned include Albania, Armenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, and (once associated) Morocco and Egypt. Outermost Regions (Article 349 TFEU) are also included as Widening countries.

Project maturity and technology requirements

1. 1Minimum TRL at submission: TRL 4 (technology validated in lab).
2. 2Target TRL at project end: completion of TRL 5 (validated in relevant environment) and/or progress towards TRL 6 (demonstration in relevant environment) as appropriate to the technology.
3. 3IPR expectation: applicants must possess necessary Intellectual Property Rights or protection strategy to ensure freedom to operate and to support investor discussions.

Co-funding requirement and financial notes

Co-funding:Beneficiaries must provide 30% of the eligible costs from their own resources (cash or demonstrable in-kind where allowed by the lump sum justification). The lump sum amount awarded will be determined and fixed at grant preparation based on the justification submitted in the detailed budget table in the application. Lump sum grants under Horizon follow the Decision authorising lump sums and the Lump Sum MGA provisions.

Application review stages and number of steps

Number of application stages:1 evaluation stage (single-stage call). After successful evaluation, grant preparation includes legal entity validation and financial capacity checks. There is no multi-stage scientific pre-selection for this topic.

Success rate and competitiveness

The call documents do not provide a guaranteed success rate. Indicative figures:topic budget €40 million and indicative number of grants 60 gives a planning signal but competition depends on proposal quality and number of applicants. A realistic expectation is that the call will be competitive; high-quality evidence of TRL4 validation, a robust IP position, clear KPIs and investor-readiness plans improve scoring on Excellence, Impact and Implementation.

Practical tips for applicants

1. 1Demonstrate TRL with concrete lab validation evidence and testing data; explain remaining technical risks and mitigation steps.
2. 2Provide clear IP documentation or strategy for protection and freedom to operate.
3. 3Present measurable KPIs and milestones linked to investor readiness and TRL progression.
4. 4Detail a realistic budget justification in the lump sum detailed budget table; although payment is lump sum, the table must reflect conceivable eligible costs to justify the requested amount.
5. 5Prepare to document 30% co-funding availability.
6. 6Plan for access to EIC Business Acceleration Services and describe how coaching or fast-track access will be used to reach the next funding milestones.

Summary: What is this opportunity about and who should apply?

EIC Pre-accelerator - Widening is a Horizon Europe WIDERA single-stage call providing lump sum grants to early-stage deep-tech SMEs established in Widening countries. The scheme finances activities that accelerate maturation from TRL 4 towards TRL 5/6 and significantly improve investor and market readiness over up to two years. Typical grant amounts are €300,000–500,000 (lump sum) with the EU covering up to 70% of eligible costs and beneficiaries providing 30% co-funding. The action is mono-beneficiary and is specifically targeted at SMEs that own or can demonstrate credible IP protection and have a clear route-to-market and KPI-driven plan. Successful awardees gain access to EIC Business Acceleration Services, coaching and potential fast-track routes to EIC Accelerator applications. Applications must be submitted through the Funding & Tenders Portal using Part A and Part B forms, comply with the page limits and lump sum budget table requirements, and will be evaluated by three independent evaluators against Excellence, Impact and Quality & Efficiency of Implementation criteria (high thresholds). This opportunity is best suited for deep-tech startups from widening countries that can demonstrate laboratory validation, a strong IP position, and a credible plan to reach investment-readiness and TRL progression within the project duration.

Footnotes

1. 1EIC Business Acceleration Services provide coaching, investor readiness, corporate partnership matching, procurement support, international soft-landing and trade-fair exposure. More details are available from the EIC Business Acceleration Services portal EIC Business Acceleration Services.

Funding Opportunity Overview

The EIC Pre-accelerator - Widening is a joint initiative between the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (WIDERA) programme, designed to support early-stage deep-tech startups in Horizon Europe Widening countries. This funding opportunity aims to boost innovation potential by enhancing business, investor, and technology readiness of promising deep-tech ventures to enable them to successfully attract follow-on funding from the EIC Accelerator, private investors, or national and regional funding sources.

Call Timeline and Key Dates

The call opens on 5 May 2027 and closes on 18 November 2027 at 17:00 Brussels time. This is a single-stage submission procedure. Applicants are strongly advised to submit well in advance of the deadline to avoid technical difficulties, as call deadlines cannot be extended at the request of applicants. ¹

Funding Amounts and Budget Information

Total Call Budget:€40 million is available for the 2027 call, representing a significant increase from the €20 million pilot call in 2025.

Funding per Project:Individual projects can receive between €500,000 and €1,000,000 in the form of lump sum grants. The funding rate is 70 percent of eligible costs, with beneficiaries required to provide 30 percent co-funding from their own resources.

Expected Number of Projects:Approximately 60 projects are expected to be funded under this call.

Who Can Apply

This call is open exclusively to single small and medium enterprises (SMEs) established in Horizon Europe Widening countries. Applications must be submitted by one legal entity only (mono-beneficiary structure). No consortia are permitted. ²

Eligible Widening Countries

Eligible countries include 15 EU Member States:Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Additionally, 14 Associated Countries are eligible: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, and once-associated Morocco and Egypt. The Outermost Regions (defined in Article 349 TFEU) are also eligible, including French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Reunion Island, and Saint-Martin.

Eligibility Requirements for Applicants

Applicants must meet the following core eligibility criteria to be considered for funding:

• Be a small and medium enterprise (SME) as defined under EU law, established in a Widening country
• Have developed technology validated in the laboratory at minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4
• Possess necessary Intellectual Property Rights to ensure freedom to operate and adequate protection of the innovation
• Demonstrate a clear vision on the intended pathway and route to market, including specific milestones and concrete, verifiable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess progress
• Show ambition and commitment to scale up the business
• Work on deep-tech innovation based on cutting-edge scientific advances and discoveries
• Submit application as a mono-beneficiary (single legal entity only)

Deep-Tech Definition and Scope

Deep-tech is defined as technology based on cutting-edge scientific advances and discoveries, characterized by the need to stay at the technological forefront through constant interaction with new ideas and results from laboratory research. Deep-tech innovations have the potential to deliver transformative solutions rooted in cutting-edge science, technology, and engineering, including innovations combining advances in physical, biological, and digital spheres. Deep-tech is distinct from high-tech, which refers primarily to R&D intensity. Deep-tech ventures typically position themselves at the knowledge frontier with long and uncertain R&I cycles, relate to tangible products and industrialization processes, are linked to ecosystems and higher education institutions, and are problem-oriented or mission-driven, focused on creating an option space and dynamic de-risking cycle.

Project Duration and Scope

Projects funded under this call will have a maximum duration of 24 months (2 years). During this period, startups are expected to mature and validate their innovations from Technology Readiness Level 4 to TRL 5 or TRL 6, demonstrating that technology has been tested and validated in a laboratory and other relevant environments.

Eligible Use of Funds

The requested grant is expected to be used for two primary categories of activities:

1. 1Addressing investor and market readiness towards commercialization and deployment, including market research, value proposition development, business case and business model development, growth prospects, intellectual property protection, competitor analysis, and if relevant, aspects of regulation, certification, and standardization, aimed at making both the technology and business idea investment ready
2. 2Maturation and validation of novel technologies beyond proof of concept to viable demonstrators of the technology in the intended field of application, progressing from minimum TRL 4 up to TRL 6

Expected Project Outcomes

At the end of the EIC Pre-accelerator project, successful applicants must demonstrate that:

• The technology component of their innovation has been tested and validated in a laboratory and other relevant environments, completing all aspects of TRL 5 at minimum
• They are ready to apply for EIC Accelerator funding and/or seek other investors or sources of funding
• They are prepared to enter licensing or collaboration agreements with third parties
• They have identified other routes to market deployment

Support and Services Beyond Funding

Successful applicants and those awarded the Seal of Excellence will receive free access to the EIC Business Acceleration Services (BAS), which include tailored coaching, one-to-one mentoring services, and specific events designed to improve investor and market readiness. ³ Additionally, successful projects will have access to the EIC Accelerator Fast Track for submissions to the Accelerator programme following a project review in the second half of the project, providing a streamlined pathway to subsequent funding.

Evaluation Criteria and Scoring

Proposals will be evaluated by three independent evaluators following the EIC Transition Open award criteria. The evaluation is based on three main criteria, each scored out of 5, with specific thresholds that must be met:

1. 1Excellence (Threshold: 4/5) - Assesses technological breakthrough, credibility and feasibility of objectives, and timing appropriateness
2. 2Impact (Threshold: 4/5) - Evaluates credibility of commercial impacts, economic and societal benefits, scale-up potential, and investment readiness with go-to-market strategy
3. 3Quality and Efficiency of Implementation (Threshold: 3/5) - Examines team quality and motivation, clarity of KPIs and milestones, and appropriateness of workplan and resource allocation

All three thresholds must be met for a proposal to be considered for funding. In case of ex-aequo (equally ranked) proposals, geographical diversity is prioritized, with preference given to proposals from Widening countries not otherwise represented as coordinators higher up the ranking list.

Application Process and Requirements

Applications must be submitted electronically via the Funding and Tenders Portal before the deadline of 18 November 2027 at 17:00 Brussels time. Paper submissions are not accepted. The application consists of two parts:

1. 1Part A (completed online) - Contains administrative information about the applicant organization, summarized budget, and call-specific questions
2. 2Part B (maximum 22 A4 pages as PDF) - Contains the technical description of the project, covering Excellence, Impact, and Quality and Efficiency of Implementation criteria. Excess pages will be automatically made invisible and not considered by evaluators

Applicants must also provide a detailed budget table in lump sum format, as eligible costs take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorizing the use of lump sum contributions under Horizon Europe.

Financial and Operational Capacity Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate stable and sufficient resources to successfully implement the project and contribute their 30 percent co-funding share. Financial capacity will be assessed based on documents uploaded in the Participant Register, such as profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, and audit reports. Applicants must also demonstrate the know-how, qualifications, and resources to successfully implement their tasks, including relevant experience in comparable projects. Public bodies and international organizations are exempted from the operational capacity check.

Exclusion Criteria

Applicants subject to EU administrative sanctions or in exclusion situations cannot participate. These include entities in bankruptcy, winding up, or with suspended business activities; those in breach of social security or tax obligations; those guilty of grave professional misconduct, fraud, corruption, or terrorism-related crimes; those with significant deficiencies in complying with EU obligations; and those that have created entities to circumvent legal obligations.

Participant Registration and Validation

Before submitting an application, the applicant must register in the Participant Register to obtain a participant identification code (PIC). While a validated PIC is not a prerequisite for submission, beneficiaries must be validated by the Central Validation Service before signing the grant agreement. During validation, applicants will be asked to upload documents showing their legal status and origin.

Grant Agreement and Legal Framework

Successful applicants will be invited to grant preparation, where a grant agreement will be prepared in accordance with the Horizon Europe rules. The grant will be awarded as a lump sum contribution, with the funding rate fixed at 70 percent of eligible costs. The grant agreement will set out the framework, terms, conditions, deliverables, reporting requirements, and payment arrangements. No commitment to funding is made upon invitation to grant preparation; various legal checks must still be completed, including legal entity validation, financial capacity verification, and exclusion checks.

Seal of Excellence

Proposals that exceed all evaluation thresholds but cannot be funded due to budget constraints will be awarded a Seal of Excellence. These applicants will also receive free access to EIC Business Acceleration Services and may be eligible for alternative funding through national or regional programmes.

Key Differences from the 2025 Pilot Call

The 2027 call represents a significant expansion from the pilot 2025 call. The total budget has doubled from €20 million to €40 million. The maximum funding per project has increased from €500,000 to €1,000,000, allowing for more substantial support to deep-tech startups. The number of expected funded projects has increased from approximately 40 to 60 projects. These enhancements reflect the European Commission's commitment to strengthening innovation capacity in Widening countries.

Strategic Context and Policy Alignment

This call is part of the broader Widening participation and spreading excellence component of Horizon Europe, which aims to tackle research and innovation gaps across the European Union. It aligns with the European Research Area (ERA) priorities and the Pact for Research and Innovation in Europe, particularly Priority III on enhancing access to R&I excellence across the Union. The initiative supports the European Commission's strategic objective to build a truly functioning internal market for knowledge and to strengthen the competitiveness of less advanced research and innovation systems.

Support Resources and Guidance

Applicants should consult the following resources for detailed guidance:the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, the EU Funding and Tenders Portal Online Manual, the EU Grants Annotated Model Grant Agreement (AGA), and the Lump Sum Decision guidance document. National Contact Points (NCPs) in participating countries provide guidance, practical information, and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. The Enterprise Europe Network also offers support to businesses, particularly SMEs, with special focus on EU research funding. The European IPR Helpdesk provides assistance on intellectual property issues, and the CEN-CENELEC and ETSI Research Helpdesks advise on standardization matters.

Important Procedural Notes

Applicants should submit applications well in advance of the deadline to avoid technical problems. The Funding and Tenders Portal should be consulted regularly for call updates and additional information. By submitting an application, all applicants accept the general call conditions and specific call conditions. Applications not complying with all call conditions will be rejected. If multiple applications are submitted for the same or very similar project, only one will be accepted and evaluated. Applicants may submit more than one application for different projects under the same call and be awarded funding for multiple projects, provided each application is distinct.

Data Protection and Transparency

The submission of an application involves the collection, use, and processing of personal data in accordance with Regulation 2018/1725. Data will be processed solely for evaluating the application and subsequent grant management. In accordance with Article 38 of the EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, information about EU grants awarded is published annually on the Europa website, including beneficiaries' names, addresses, purpose of the grant, and maximum amount awarded. Publication can exceptionally be waived if there is a risk that disclosure could jeopardize applicants' rights and freedoms or harm commercial interests.

Ethics and Security Considerations

Projects must comply with ethical principles, including the highest standards of research integrity, and applicable EU, international, and national law. Applicants must complete an ethics self-assessment as part of their application. Projects involving ethics issues will undergo an ethics review to authorize funding and may be subject to specific ethics requirements. Projects involving classified or sensitive information must go through a security appraisal process. Applicants must ensure their projects are not subject to national or third-country security requirements that could affect implementation.

Gender Equality and Inclusiveness

Beneficiaries must take all measures to promote equal opportunities between men and women in implementing the action and, where applicable, in line with their gender equality plan. They must aim to achieve, to the extent possible, a gender balance at all levels of personnel assigned to the action, including at supervisory and managerial levels. Public bodies, research organizations, and higher education establishments must have a gender equality plan covering formal publication, dedicated resources, data collection and monitoring, and training on gender equality and unconscious gender biases.

Contact and Support Information

For questions about the call, applicants should contact their National Contact Point (NCP) for Horizon Europe in their country. The Research Enquiry Service can answer questions about European research in general and EU Research Framework Programmes. The Funding and Tenders Portal IT Helpdesk provides support for technical issues such as forgotten passwords, access rights, and submission problems. The European IPR Helpdesk assists with intellectual property issues. The Partner Search tool on the Funding and Tenders Portal helps applicants find partner organizations for their proposals.

Footnotes

1. 1All deadlines are at 17:00 Brussels local time. The Director-General responsible for the call may delay the deadline by up to two months, and may open the call up to one month prior to or after the envisaged date.
2. 2The mono-beneficiary structure means that only a single SME can apply and receive funding. No consortia or partnerships are permitted in this call, distinguishing it from many other Horizon Europe funding opportunities that require multi-beneficiary consortia.
3. 3The EIC Business Acceleration Services include access to the EIC Global Business Expansion Programme, EIC Tech to Market Programme, EIC Corporate Partnership Programme, EIC Investor Readiness and Outreach Programme, and EIC Innovation Procurement Programme, among other services designed to support commercialization and market entry.