A mono-beneficiary deep-tech company in a widening country must start at least at TRL4, own or control sufficient IP and freedom to operate, present a disruptive market path and fund the remaining 30%.

What burden and restrictions apply?

A maximum two-year Horizon Europe lump-sum project with work packages, milestones and reviews; subcontracting cannot displace core beneficiary implementation. Grant is 70% of total eligible cost, not €1 million plus full project cost; the beneficiary co-funds 30% and implements core tasks.

EIC Pre-Accelerator

€500,000–€1 million lump-sum grant covering up to 70% of eligible project cost for at most two years; beneficiary co-funds 30% · European Innovation Council · deadline 2027-11-18

EIC Pre-Accelerator is a grant programme from European Innovation Council for Deep-tech SMEs incorporated in eligible Horizon Europe widening countries Current lifecycle: upcoming; next verified deadline 2027-11-18. Real economics: €500,000–€1 million lump-sum grant covering up to 70% of eligible project cost for at most two years; beneficiary co-funds 30%.

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Key facts

Funder	European Innovation Council
Amount	€500,000–€1 million lump-sum grant covering up to 70% of eligible project cost for at most two years; beneficiary co-funds 30%
Deadline	2027-11-18
Decision time	Evaluation is expected to finish in February 2028, with results in February–March and grant signing in June–July 2028.
Eligibility	A mono-beneficiary deep-tech company in a widening country must start at least at TRL4, own or control sufficient IP and freedom to operate, present a disruptive market path and fund the remaining 30%.
Restrictions	A maximum two-year Horizon Europe lump-sum project with work packages, milestones and reviews; subcontracting cannot displace core beneficiary implementation. Grant is 70% of total eligible cost, not €1 million plus full project cost; the beneficiary co-funds 30% and implements core tasks.
Status	upcoming

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

Prepare IP, freedom-to-operate, technology, market and KPI evidence
Submit through Funding & Tenders after 5 May 2027
Complete expert evaluation after the deadline
Receive result in February–March 2028
Negotiate a lump-sum agreement
Use BAS and seek Fast Track review in the second half

Background

European Innovation Council operates EIC Pre-Accelerator. This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. The 2027 call has a €40 million total budget Successful projects can access EIC Accelerator Fast Track after a project review

How the application really works

Prepare IP, freedom-to-operate, technology, market and KPI evidence → Submit through Funding & Tenders after 5 May 2027 → Complete expert evaluation after the deadline → Receive result in February–March 2028 → Negotiate a lump-sum agreement → Use BAS and seek Fast Track review in the second half

Tips

Show direct fit with high-impact deep technology across sectors.

Watch out for

Current lifecycle is upcoming.
A maximum two-year Horizon Europe lump-sum project with work packages, milestones and reviews; subcontracting cannot displace core beneficiary implementation.
Grant is 70% of total eligible cost, not €1 million plus full project cost; the beneficiary co-funds 30% and implements core tasks.

Track record

The 2027 call has a €40 million total budget
Successful projects can access EIC Accelerator Fast Track after a project review

No 2027 application denominator or success rate exists yet.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?: upcoming. Next verified deadline: 2027-11-18.
What is the real economic value?: €500,000–€1 million lump-sum grant covering up to 70% of eligible project cost for at most two years; beneficiary co-funds 30%
Who is eligible?: A mono-beneficiary deep-tech company in a widening country must start at least at TRL4, own or control sufficient IP and freedom to operate, present a disruptive market path and fund the remaining 30%.
How does selection work?: Prepare IP, freedom-to-operate, technology, market and KPI evidence; Submit through Funding & Tenders after 5 May 2027; Complete expert evaluation after the deadline; Receive result in February–March 2028; Negotiate a lump-sum agreement; Use BAS and seek Fast Track review in the second half. Evaluation is expected to finish in February 2028, with results in February–March and grant signing in June–July 2028.
What burden and restrictions apply?: A maximum two-year Horizon Europe lump-sum project with work packages, milestones and reviews; subcontracting cannot displace core beneficiary implementation. Grant is 70% of total eligible cost, not €1 million plus full project cost; the beneficiary co-funds 30% and implements core tasks.
What evidence exists?: The 2027 call has a €40 million total budget Successful projects can access EIC Accelerator Fast Track after a project review No 2027 application denominator or success rate exists yet.

Sources

eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pre-accelerator_en — Official 2027 opening, deadline, amount, 70% rate, term, eligibility, IP and support (checked 2026-08-10)
eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-frequently-asked-questions/faqs-eic-pre-accelerator_en — Official confirmation of no 2026 call and 2028 decision/agreement timetable (checked 2026-08-10)