First info on EIC Accelerator 2023 3rd deadline

The last deadline to apply for funding from the EIC Accelerator - one of the most popular European funding programs for start-ups and SMEs - was a special one. In the middle of the preparation period, the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) unexpectedly changed the submission procedure for funding applications a few days before the actual application deadline on June 7, 2023.

The EIC AI Platform, designed specifically for the EIC Accelerator, was shut down overnight, application materials were adjusted, and the deadline for submitting grant applications was extended by two weeks to June 21, 2023.

For applicants, this often meant rethinking their approach, revising existing application documents and creating new ones. Instead of short text boxes, applicants now had the opportunity to convince the independent jury of their cutting-edge technology with a coherent PDF document, similar to a diploma thesis.

The closing date for applications to the EIC Accelerator on 21 June has once again demonstrated the programme's popularity with emerging companies from the EU and associated countries. Despite an adjustment to the application process, there were more applicants than in previous application rounds this year, with 648 applications submitted. This compares to 551 in March and 476 in January.

Applicants come from a total of 34 countries, including 15 associated countries of the EU, and around a fifth (107 applications) have applied for the 2023 Strategic Challenges. The applications are currently being evaluated by an independent jury of experienced investors and entrepreneurs. Those who are successful will be given the opportunity to present their cutting-edge technology to the jury in person. Interviews are usually held in September. The results of this round are expected in October.

There is one more opportunity to apply for funding from the EIC Accelerator this year - full applications can be submitted until 4 October 2023, 17:00 (CEST).

Companies currently preparing short proposals (stage 1) will have to wait until the beginning of July to submit their application documents until the new IT platform for EIC Accelerator short proposals is operational. After that, EISMEA aims to evaluate all short proposals quickly (within four weeks). Successful Stage 1 applicants will then have sufficient time to prepare a full proposal (Stage 2) for the submission deadline of 4 October 2023. (In general, successful applicants can submit to one deadline each year. Dates for 2024 will be announced in the autumn).

The European funding programme is aimed at start-ups and SMEs that want to establish high-risk, cutting-edge technologies with disruptive potential on the European market. The programme is open-topic, with annual calls for thematic challenges of strategic importance for the development of the EU.

Do you have questions about the EIC Accelerator? We will advise and guide you through the application process. Then simply get in touch with us! 

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