EIC Work Programme 2022
Published on 17/02/2022
The EIC Work Programme in brief:
- Identifies game-changing innovations
- Supports all stages of innovation: R&D to industry
- Three main instruments of support – deadlines are given further below
- Pathfinder
- Transition
- Accelerator
EIC Work Programme 2022
The EIC Work programme from the European Commission is organized into three main funding schemes: the EIC Pathfinder for advanced research, the EIC Transition to validate technologies and develop business plans and finally, the EIC Accelerator, supporting companies (SMEs, start-ups and spin-outs) to bring innovations to market and scale-up.
The three funding schemes are interlinked through proactive management, new approaches (e.g. additional grants to ongoing Pathfinder projects), a common Marketplace to connect research results with entrepreneurs and investors, and a Fast Track scheme from Pathfinder and Transition to enter the Accelerator.
The dedicated Work Programme together with the confirmed deadlines has been adopted the 7th of February 2022. The deadlines given in this artice are taken from the official EIC Work Programme 2022 from the European Commission.
In addition, the EIC interlinks with other components of the Horizon Europe work programme, like the European Research Council (ERC), the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), the Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) and other Union funding programmes, with the aim to integrate and support innovators directly. The Work Porgramme for 2022 follows the same structure as its predecessor programme in 2021, with both Open calls and Challenges.
EIC Work Programme- Open funding and challenge driven funding
The three funding schemes EIC Pathfinder, Transition and Accelerator will be available in two different forms: Open funding and challenge driven funding. The majority of funding will be awarded through open calls (no predefined thematic priorities, thus “Open”). The Open Funding will support technology development and innovations from different fields and novel combinations of applications.
In contrast, the challenge driven approach provides funding adressing specific technological and innovation breakthroughts. These challenges are defined by the European Comminion and take into account the overall strategic planning from Horizon Europe, the inputs of stekeholders, experts and the EIC pilot Advisory Board.
Projects in a Challenge portfolio from the EIC Work Programme are expected to interact and exchange. They will progress together towards common goals and create new opportunities for radical innovation.
Overview of the three funding schemes of the EIC Work Programme for open and challenge driven funding
EIC Pathfinder – Open call
- Previously FET Open (under H2020)
- Consortia of at least 3 eligible partner institutions (academia & industry)
- Grants up to 3-4 mio €
- Proof of principle / validate scientific basis
- TRL 1-4
- Deadline 04 May 2022
EIC Pathfinder – Challenge driven call
- Eligibility rules same as Open call
- Specific challenges to be met during the project:
- Carbon dioxide and nitrogen management and valorization
- Mid to long term and systems integrated energy storage
- Cardiogenomics
- Towards the Healthcare Continuum: technologies to support a radical shift from episodic to continuous healthcare
- DNA-based digital data storage
- Alternative approaches to Quantum Information Processing, Communication, and Sensing
- Deadline 19 October 2022
EIC Transition – Open call
- Single applicants (SMEs, spin-offs, start-ups, academia)
- Small consortia (2-5 partners)
- Grants up to 2.5 mio €
- Validate and demonstrate technology, develop market readiness
- TRL4-5/6
- Must build on results from Pathfinder, FET, ERC Proof of Concept projects
- Cut-offs: 4 May, 28 September 2022
EIC Transition – Challenge driven call
- Eligibility same as Open call
- Specific challenges:
- Green digital devices for the future
- Process and system integration of clean energy technologies
- RNA-based therapies and diagnostics for complex or rare genetic diseases
- Cut-offs: 4 May, 28 September 2022
EIC Accelerator – Open call
- Previously SME instrument
- Single applicants: start-ups, SMEs, spin-outs
- Individuals intending to launch a start-up / SME
- Blended finance: 2.5 mio € grant component plus 0.5 – 15 mio € investment component
- Technology developement, scale-up
- TRL 5/6 – 8
- Multiple cut-offs: 23 March, 15 June, 5 October 2022
EIC Accelerator – Challenge driven call
- Eligibility same as Open call
- Specific challenges
- Technologies for Open Strategic Autonomy
- Technologies for ‘Fit for 55’
- Cut-offs: 23 March, 15 June, 5 October 2022
EIC Work Programme – Specific objectives
- Identify, develop and deploy high risk innovations
- Focus on breakthrough, market-creating and deep-tech innovations
- Rapid scale-up of innovative technologies
- From idea to market
EIC Work Programme – Outlook for 2022 and future years
The EIC Work programme activities are expected to evolve and develop in each annual work programme based on the advice from the EIC Board and experience from implementation and the dynamics of the world of innovation.
The main provisions of the Open Funding calls are expected to remain relatively stable while incorporating necessary improvements. It is envisioned that in the future, the investment component may also include reimbursable advance, loan guarantees and other forms of financial instruments. Since the Transition call is relatively novel, it may be subject to more important changes including broadening of the eligibility criteria.
The MIC as your Horizon Europe partner
We will be glad to participate in your project. Visit our dedicated webpage to learn more about our expertise as H2020 and Horizon Europe partner!
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