Is this actionable now?

closed. Annual cohort; the 2026 call ran March 13–May 17 and is closed.

Innovators from the published EIT Regional Innovation Scheme and associated eligible territories with a science- or technology-based idea; detailed country and team rules are in the 2026 terms.

How does selection work?

Submit the online application; Pass eligibility and expert review; Join bootcamp; Complete 55 hours of training and mentoring; Pitch at the grand final. Eligibility review, bootcamp and training stages culminate in final pitches; no universal day count is published.

What burden and restrictions apply?

Teams must complete intensive training, mentoring and pitch milestones; prize and participation terms govern payment. Cash prizes recognize the highest-ranked teams; training support is tied to participation.

What evidence exists?

EIT reports more than 1,500 innovators trained, 150 startups created, 2,600 jobs and more than EUR 150 million attracted. No current overall application denominator is published; one 2025 COST pathway advanced 13 of 29 applicants but is not a general acceptance rate.

EIT Jumpstarter (EIT Climate-KIC & partner KICs)

More than EUR 240,000 total across cohorts; each cohort awards EUR 10,000, EUR 5,000 and EUR 3,000 to its top three teams, plus a EUR 2,500 special prize · European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) KICs / Horizon Europe — EU

Pan-European pre-acceleration programme run across EIT's Knowledge and Innovation Communities (Climate, Health, Digital/28DIGITAL, Food, Manufacturing, etc.). A ~7-month idea-to-startup programme with training, mentoring and prize money; individual KIC accelerators offer additional equity-free support. Current lifecycle: closed. Real economics: More than EUR 240,000 total across cohorts; each cohort awards EUR 10,000, EUR 5,000 and EUR 3,000 to its top three teams, plus a EUR 2,500 special prize.

Tier 3eueitacceleratorpre-seed

Apply Official site Open in the live directory

Key facts

Funder	European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) KICs / Horizon Europe — EU
Amount	More than EUR 240,000 total across cohorts; each cohort awards EUR 10,000, EUR 5,000 and EUR 3,000 to its top three teams, plus a EUR 2,500 special prize
Decision time	Eligibility review, bootcamp and training stages culminate in final pitches; no universal day count is published.
Eligibility	Innovators from the published EIT Regional Innovation Scheme and associated eligible territories with a science- or technology-based idea; detailed country and team rules are in the 2026 terms.
Restrictions	Teams must complete intensive training, mentoring and pitch milestones; prize and participation terms govern payment. Cash prizes recognize the highest-ranked teams; training support is tied to participation.
Status	closed

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

Application process

Submit the online application
Pass eligibility and expert review
Join bootcamp
Complete 55 hours of training and mentoring
Pitch at the grand final

Background

European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) KICs / Horizon Europe — EU operates EIT Jumpstarter (EIT Climate-KIC & partner KICs). This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. EIT reports more than 1,500 innovators trained, 150 startups created, 2,600 jobs and more than EUR 150 million attracted.

How the application really works

Submit the online application → Pass eligibility and expert review → Join bootcamp → Complete 55 hours of training and mentoring → Pitch at the grand final

Tips

Show direct fit with health.
Show direct fit with food.
Show direct fit with raw materials.
Show direct fit with energy.
Show direct fit with urban mobility.
Show direct fit with manufacturing.

Watch out for

Current lifecycle is closed.
Teams must complete intensive training, mentoring and pitch milestones; prize and participation terms govern payment.
Cash prizes recognize the highest-ranked teams; training support is tied to participation.

Track record

EIT reports more than 1,500 innovators trained, 150 startups created, 2,600 jobs and more than EUR 150 million attracted.

No current overall application denominator is published; one 2025 COST pathway advanced 13 of 29 applicants but is not a general acceptance rate.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?: closed. Annual cohort; the 2026 call ran March 13–May 17 and is closed.
What is the real economic value?: More than EUR 240,000 total across cohorts; each cohort awards EUR 10,000, EUR 5,000 and EUR 3,000 to its top three teams, plus a EUR 2,500 special prize
Who is eligible?: Innovators from the published EIT Regional Innovation Scheme and associated eligible territories with a science- or technology-based idea; detailed country and team rules are in the 2026 terms.
How does selection work?: Submit the online application; Pass eligibility and expert review; Join bootcamp; Complete 55 hours of training and mentoring; Pitch at the grand final. Eligibility review, bootcamp and training stages culminate in final pitches; no universal day count is published.
What burden and restrictions apply?: Teams must complete intensive training, mentoring and pitch milestones; prize and participation terms govern payment. Cash prizes recognize the highest-ranked teams; training support is tied to participation.
What evidence exists?: EIT reports more than 1,500 innovators trained, 150 startups created, 2,600 jobs and more than EUR 150 million attracted. No current overall application denominator is published; one 2025 COST pathway advanced 13 of 29 applicants but is not a general acceptance rate.

Sources

www.eit.europa.eu/our-activities/opportunities/eit-jumpstarter-2026 — Official 2026 dates, awards, sectors and eligible regions (checked 2026-08-10)
eitjumpstarter.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/EIT-Jumpstarter-2026_Terms-and-Conditions_v2_20260506.pdf — Official detailed terms (checked 2026-08-10)
www.eit.europa.eu/news-events/news/cost-eit-partnership-empowers-emerging-region-innovators-eit-jumpstarter — Official pathway selection evidence (checked 2026-08-10)