European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE)

Work Programme 2026-2027

Writer

Celeste Chidiac, PhD

Keywords

Microfluidic Devices, Intelligent Microfluidics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning

Opening

June 2027

Deadline

Sep 2027

Keywords

Intelligent Microfluidics

Deep Learning

Microfluidic Devices

Artificial Intelligence

Machine Learning

Pan-European Alliance for Deep Tech Scaling

venture-backed products

EU IP Helpdesk

Need advice for your intelligent microfluidic system?

Your microfluidic SME partner for Horizon Europe!

EIE Work Programme 2026 - 2027
Calls ordered by microfluidic relevance

We have categorized the calls for projects from the European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) work programme 2026-2027 according to the impact that microfluidics can have on the calls and related topics. We are sharing our analysis in case it can help you with project funding efforts. And, of course, if our expertise can be of use to you, we would be delighted to discuss it further.

How to read the stars in terms of % of microfluidic technologies’ relevance for the call:

By microfluidic relevance, we mean the relevance of using microfluidic technologies for the topic cited. But also, to a lesser extent, what a microfluidic laboratory or SME could contribute to the topic (mainly for calls with low relevance to microfluidic technologies).

Relevance (%)	90-100	80-89	70-79	60-69	50-59	40-49	30-39	20-29
Relevance (*)	*****	****	***	**	*	–	– –	– – –

Administrative dates per call:

HORIZON‑EIE‑2026‑02‑CONNECT: Opening and deadlines not yet specified

HORIZON‑EIE‑2027‑01‑CONNECT: Opening 01 June 2027, Deadline 15 Sep 2027

The work programme draft can be found in the following link: European Innovation Ecosystems

(Details for all topics are provided below, ordered by decreasing microfluidic relevance)

Discover more!

EIE Work Programme 2026-2027 ordered by microfluidic relevance

Download the EIE Work Programme Call Calendar

**** HORIZON‑EIE‑2026‑02‑CONNECT‑02 – EUROPEAN STARTUP AND SCALEUP HUBS PILOT: A PAN‑EUROPEAN ALLIANCE FOR DEEP TECH SCALING

Type of action: Programme Co-fund Action.
Call: Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems (2026.2)
Budget (topic, M€): 20.00; # projects funded: 2

Objectives
Pilot two transnational networks of ~5-7 “European Startup & Scaleup Hubs (ESSHs)” embedded in strong research/HEI/RTO ecosystems; open facilities, labs, and services across borders; and accelerate deep‑tech startups/scaleups (including EIC‑backed) to expand on the EU single market. Emphasis on shared infrastructure, mentoring, links to EEN/EDIH/EIT/EIC, and cohesion by integrating less-connected regions. KPIs include ≥100 startups supported, ≥50 % securing seed/VC by project end, and ≥75 % engaging in cross-border collaboration. Financial support to third parties (grants/vouchers up to €60k) may be provided. Project duration expected ~2 years.

Why a microfluidic partner is valuable

Microfluidics is quintessential deep tech; Microfluidic lab strengthens a hub’s lab access and prototyping capacity (polymer chip microfabrication, organ‑on‑chip, micro‑bio‑reactors) for cross‑border startups.
Can open Microfluidics facilities to non-local ventures (ESSH requirement), enabling realistic bench‑to‑pilot maturation (design‑for‑manufacture, biocompatibility, reliability testing).
Provide regulatory-aware workflows (e.g., ISO 13485 pathways for med‑tech LoCs, validation protocols for environmental/industrial sensors) to raise investment‑readiness.
Co‑design voucherable service menus (rapid prototyping, assay integration, packaging, field pilots) that ESSHs can fund via the third‑party scheme.
Train founders in microfluidics-specific venture building (IP strategy for platform chips, BOM/COGS optimization, scaling of fabrication).
Connect ESSHs with application verticals (biotech, diagnostics, water, advanced materials) where microfluidics reduces time‑to‑data and de-risks early customer trials, directly serving KPI uptake metrics.

**** HORIZON‑EIE‑2027‑01‑CONNECT‑01 – STARTUP EUROPE

Type of action: CSA.
Call: Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems (2027.1)
Budget (topic, M€): 18.00; # projects funded: 9

Objectives
Connect local digital, deep-tech, and manufacturing ecosystems and run cross-border acceleration programs for ventures demonstrating traction (product-market fit, seed round, or higher), with an emphasis on moderate to emerging innovator regions, as well as women-led startups. Interfaces to EIC/EIT/EDIH/EEN, Innovation Radar, and Plug-in programmes; innovation procurement access is a focus. CSAs may allocate 60% or more of the budget to third-party support (grants/vouchers up to €60k). Projects must track growth (in terms of revenue, funding, profitability, and survival) and societal impact for up to three years post-support.

Why a microfluidic partner is valuable

Many deep‑tech verticals listed (med‑tech/biotech/greentech/agrifood) have microfluidics at their core;
Provide pan-EU demo campaigns (organ-on-chip safety/efficacy studies; water quality LoC pilots) to create early customer references for procurement-oriented scaling.
Offer industrialization services (design rules, mold tooling transfer, QC metrology, reliability) that lower risk for investors and corporates in Startup Europe deal flow.
Create targeted training for women-led deep-tech teams on chip integration, IP bundling, and regulated market entry, helping consortia meet their inclusivity KPIs.
Act as a neutral lab validator, interfacing with EEN/EDIH nodes to standardize validation protocols across countries, improving cross‑border comparability.

*** HORIZON‑EIE‑2027‑01‑CONNECT‑03 – ENHANCING THE INVOLVEMENT OF PHILANTHROPIC ORGANISATIONS IN INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS

Type of action: CSA, Lump‑sum funding
Call: Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems (2027.1)
Budget (topic, M€): 5.00; # projects funded: 5

Objectives
Mobilize philanthropic organizations to work with HEIs/RTOs, TTOs, and companies to move university-originated technologies to market. Activities may include living labs/test beds, accelerators, spin-off support with VC/angel/philanthropic funding, and first‑user pilots by foundations. Consortia must include HEI/RTO(s) and philanthropy organization(s); coordinator expected to be an HEI/RTO.

Why a microfluidic partner is valuable

Foundations in disease, environment, and global health are ideal first users for microfluidic innovations (e.g., organ-on-chip disease models, rapid environmental assays).
Microfluidic lab can design and operate test beds/living labs where philanthropic actors de-risk early pilots (e.g., real-world sample panels, ethics, and data governance for on-chip diagnostics).
Close work with TTOs to package IP portfolios (chips, surface chemistries, assay integrations) that attract blended finance from VCs + foundations.
Create accelerator tracks for microfluidics startups with tailored milestones (bio‑assay transfer, manufacturability, certification pre‑checks), enabling “signed deals” targets.
Philanthropy‑backed pilots in LMIC or underserved EU regions can demonstrate impact and pull demand for later public or corporate procurement.

* HORIZON‑EIE‑2026‑02‑CONNECT‑01 – FROM LAB TO MARKET: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OFFICES IN BRINGING KNOWLEDGE TO THE MARKET

Type of action: CSA.
Call: Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems (2026.2)
Budget (topic, M€): 5.00; # projects funded: 5

Objectives
Address fragmented TTO practices by harmonizing IP/licensing/royalty approaches; standardize IPR templates to lower transaction costs; define incentives and benefit‑sharing for researchers; promote portfolio-based licensing (packaging IP for investors/industry). Includes comparative analysis of transfer models, creation of a toolbox, KPIs for valorization, a collaborative matching space, and ≥3 pilot cases implementing startup-friendly transfers.

Why a microfluidic partner is valuable

Microfluidics often sits at the intersection of devices, materials, and assays, making portfolio licensing especially powerful (platform chip + surface/coating + reference assays).
Provide pilot cases (e.g., licensing an organ‑on‑chip platform to a spinoff) to test benefit‑sharing and startup-friendly royalty mechanics (e.g., milestone-weighted, revenue-triggered).
Help TTOs encode manufacturing readiness levels (MRL) and design control artifacts into transfer packages, cutting diligence time for investors and corporates.
Offer training for TTO staff on microfluidic DFM, QA/QC, and regulatory pre-checks, improving “market-ready” quality of transferred assets.

– – – HORIZON‑EIE‑2027‑01‑CONNECT‑02 – REINFORCING SYNERGIES BETWEEN EXPERIMENTATION SPACES AND INNOVATION PROCUREMENT

Type of action: PCP (Pre-Commercial Procurement).
Call: Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems (2027.1)
Budget (topic, M€): 10.00; # projects funded: 1

Objectives
Shorten time‑to‑market by coupling public buyers with test beds/living labs/regulatory bodies during R&D. Funds joint PCPs to develop and test solutions aligned with EU priorities; aims for at least one deployable solution per project and allows financial incentives to end‑users (up to €200k) via third-party support. PCP fund procurers; developers/industry compete later via tenders. Fast-track options are available when deployment is anticipated.