The EIC ACCESS+ Open Call offers up to EUR 60 000 in co-funding to help deep-tech innovators access specialised services from the EIC Service Catalogue. But who can apply? This article breaks down the eligibility criteria, ensuring you meet the requirements before submitting your application. Read on to see if your company qualifies and how to make the most of this opportunity!
EIC Business Acceleration Services Grants, powered by EIC ACCESS+
The EIC ACCESS+ project, an initiative of the EIC Business Acceleration Services, launched an open call in November 2024 offering up to EUR 60 000 in grants, covering up to 50% of the costs to access specialised services from the EIC Service Catalogue. Companies can use the funds to access resources to accelerate their growth and scale their innovations. The call is open until 31 May 2026.
Who can apply?
1. Applicants must be:
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EIC Awardees (Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe)
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EIC Pathfinder
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EIC Transition
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EIC Accelerator
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Seal of Excellence holders under the Horizon Europe
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Spin-offs from the EIC Awardees, provable with legal documents. In this case, the project coordinator must provide consent through a written declaration confirming the connection between the spin-off and the project.
2. Legal entity:
The company applying for the EIC ACCESS+ grant must be registered in one of the EU or Associated countries. The list of Associated countries can be found on the EC website.
3. Double funding:
The 50% services cost to be funded through the EIC ACCESS+ project need not have been previously funded by other European, national, or similar initiatives. The remaining 50% of the service costs can be covered by other means.
4. Grant amount:
The total grant amount to be received by a beneficiary under the EIC ACCESS+ project must remain below or equal to 60.000 EUR. It can cover one or multiple packages, detailed on the EIC ACCESS+ website.
5. Selected service:
The applicant must select a service provider from the EIC Service Catalogue and include a clear and detailed description of the requested service in the application, outlining the expected results and impact. Learn to select a service provider from the EIC Service Catalogue on the EIC ACCESS+ website.
6. Service completion:
The beneficiary must ensure service completion by June 30, 2026. Services that don’t comply with this timeline can be partially funded to cover only the services provided by this date. This will be discussed and agreed on individually.
7. Affiliation:
The applicant company must clearly describe the link between itself and the project that would benefit from the services, including its role and executed activities. Only technological, business, research or similar activities can receive funding. The EIC ACCESS+ grants can not be used to fund project management or similar activities.
Application process
- Check the eligibility criteria above
- Select a service provider from the EIC Service Catalogue
- Join the EIC ACCESS+ Community hub
- Apply via the application form available in the EIC ACCESS+ Community hub
Selection and funding:
Applications are evaluated bi-weekly by a dedicated selection committee, with grants awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The programme aims to support approximately 180 companies. For grants up to EUR 10 000, the payment is made in a single instalment upon service completion and invoice submission. For grants exceeding EUR 10 000, payments are divided into two instalments: 50% pre-financing and 50% post-completion, contingent upon invoice provision
Learn more on how to apply for funding on the EIC ACCESS+ website.
Read the Open call launch details on the EIC Community.
About the EIC Service Catalogue
The EIC Service Catalogue is brought to you by the EIC Ecosystem Partnership Programme, an initiative of the EIC Business Acceleration Services. This programme is creating a network of partner organisations to address one of the greatest challenges for EIC innovators: accessing specialised sector-focused services. By forging new strategic partnerships with key actors such as business accelerators, incubators, and research and training organisations, the EIC helps its innovators access their resources, facilities and expertise so that no individual need is left unaddressed. These offers are then listed in the EIC Service Catalogue, a searchable platform through which EIC beneficiaries and Seal of Excellence holders can explore the service offers from the EIC Partners.
For any questions or technical issues concerning the programme, please contact us through the EIC Community’s contact page with the subject ‘EIC Ecosystem Partnership Programme’, or contact our helpdesk at eicpartnerships-helpdesk@eic-bas.eu.
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided in the interest of knowledge sharing and should not be interpreted as the official view of the European Commission, or any other organisation.