EIC Transition

The EIC Transition aims to further develop promising results from EIC Pathfinder projects and the European Research Council (ERC) Proof of Concept (PoC) funding line. The instrument supports both research activities to validate and demonstrate advanced technologies within applications at Technology Readiness Level 4 to 6 (TRL 4-6) and to advance the market readiness of these technologies and the necessary development of business plans for the commercialisation of the applications. EIC Transition supports the validation of the novel technology from the laboratory into relevant application environments (through the use of prototyping, formulation, modelling, user testing or other validation testing) as well as the development of a sustainable business case and business model towards commercialisation.

In 2024, there will only be open-topic tenders for the EIC Transition and no challenges.

The expected outcomes of an EIC Transition project are
a) a technology proven effective for the intended application and
b) a business model, initial validation and a business plan for market introduction. It is also expected that IP (intellectual property) rights are formally and adequately protected.

The EIC Transition funding instrument is aimed at successful EIC Pathfinder, ERC Proof of Concept and Future Emerging Technologies (FET) projects that want to further mature both their technology and their business idea.

Either individually or in small consortia of up to five partners, SMEs, start-ups, universities and research institutions are invited to achieve Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 or 6 with their results through EIC Transition Open funding, so that they can then be brought to market in the EIC Accelerator. In addition to the validation and demonstration of the technology under operational conditions, the EIC Transition Open can also be used to promote cooperation between SMEs, research actors, potential users and customers, for example.

Conditions of participation

Funding for individual applicants (start-ups, SMEs, spin-offs or teams from universities and research institutions) with (almost) completed EIC Pathfinder or ERC Proof of Concept projects, FET projects, European Defense Fund projects that serve a civilian purpose or projects from the Horizon 2020 funding areas "Societal Challenges" and "Industrial Leadership" as well as Pillar II of Horizon Europe are eligible for funding. Large companies that do not qualify as SMEs cannot apply individually.
A small consortium of two participants from two different EU Member States or associated countries.
A consortium of three to a maximum of five members is also possible (three of the participants should come from different EU Member States or associated countries).

Funding in the EIC Transition

Eligible activities
- Further development of results / technologies from previous projects
- Validation of the technology in the laboratory & application area
- Business modelling & commercialisation planning
Objectives: Further development of technologies from "EIC Pathfinder", ERC "Proof of Concept" projects, FET projects on business ideas, as well as pre-projects from the Horizon 2020 funding areas "Societal Challenges" and "Industrial Leadership" and Pillar II of Horizon Europe. Starting point for applying to the EIC Accelerator or for acquiring other sources of funding; founding a new company
Funding rate: 100 percent of eligible costs
Budget: between 0.5 and max. 2.5 million euros per project. In exceptional cases, you can apply for higher amounts if you justify this very well and provide sufficient explanation.
The projects will also be eligible for the following measures:
- "Ad hoc grants": Additional up to 50 000 euros for the implementation of complementary activities ("portfolio activities") to be used for the commercialisation of the innovation.
- Fast Track application model for the EIC Accelerator
- Business Accelerator Services (BAS)
Project duration: 1-3 years

Budget

A total budget of EUR 94 million is available for 2024.

Application procedure in the EIC Transition

Application with max. 20 DIN A4 pages.
Two-stage application procedure via the European Funding & Tenders Opportunities Portal.
Stage 1: Evaluation of the application by three EIC assessors. The evaluation is based on the sum of the mean scores of the 3 application parts. The applications are evaluated according to the criteria "Excellence" (weighting 60 percent), "Impact" (20 percent) as well as "Quality and Efficiency of the implementation" (20 percent).
Stage 2: The applicants of the best applications will be invited to an interview with an expert jury of maximum six EIC reviewers in Brussels. In this stage, the jury evaluates the above criteria with a "Go" or "No-Go" vote.
Preference will be given to women-led SMEs or consortia.
Projects that only make it through the first stage can receive an EIC Seal of Excellence under certain conditions.