EIC & EIE Update

As Halloween approaches it has been a very busy period in the “Innovative Europe” Pillar with many Irish deeptech applicants preparing submissions for the final calls under both the EIC & EIE Work 2025 Programmes. To date, under the Accelerator Programme alone,  Irish deeptech SME and start up applicants have been recommended funding of €175 million in grant & equity. Across all instruments – from low to high TRL instruments Pathfinder, Transition, and Accelerator Open and Challenge calls - 77 projects with Irish academic and industry participation have been approved since the start of Horizon Europe.

Looking forward, the 2026 EIC work Programme will be published at the end of October (a draft programme can be found here).

In addition to the Open Calls, more than €300 million is set aside for Challenge calls across EIC Pathfinder and the EIC Accelerator and a new funding scheme – the “EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges” will be piloted in 2026 (see below).

The main Challenge topics will include a large focus on Advanced and Raw Materials, Biotech for Healthy Aging, AI, Robotics, Energy, Regenerating Agricultural Soils, Deep Tech for Climate Adaptation so now is the perfect time to start planning. And get in touch to understand how we can help you!

Main Changes for 2026 in the forthcoming EIC Work Programme

Following advice from the EIC Board and feedback from applicants, there are significant changes to the EIC Work programme for 2026. As a result, there are several major changes and proposed simplifications across all its funding instruments. 

For guidance and support on any of these changes, please contact any member of Ireland’s EIC support team. 

 A summary of key changes proposed for 2026 are:

1. New EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges (Pilot) inspired by Germany’s SPRIND programme

Introduction of pilot EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges to re-enforce speed and validation by “user uptake of innovations”. This call will be implemented through two stages of funding in both 2026 and 2027. It is inspired in part by Germany’s SPRIND programme and the US ARPA Programmes.

2. EIC Pathfinder budget increase to be announced!

An increase in the indicative budget size of EIC Pathfinder projects is expected to enable progress to proof of concept stage, along with further introduction of lump-sum. 

3. EIC Accelerator process simplification

·    A major simplification and shortening of the EIC Accelerator evaluation process including reducing the length of application forms.

·    Introducing technical due diligence on full applications before the jury phase and to accelerate the subsequent investment decisions. This will replace the current remote evaluation system. 

·    Moving to regular batching of full applications and three jury weeks per year.

4. EIC Transition Eligibility Expansion

The inclusion of research results from Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 Research Infrastructures will now also be eligible for the 2026 EIC Transition call. 

6. Enhanced Business Acceleration Services (BAS).

·   Reinforced Business Acceleration Services for internationalisation and engaging with corporates. These continue to be broadened in terms of access and eligibility.

7. Plug-In Scheme Update

·    An update to the EIC Plug In scheme, following the completion of the pilot phase in 2023-25. Enterprise Ireland’s iHPSU support scheme is a certified programme and iHPSU supported companies may be eligible to bypass the first stage of the application process to the EIC Accelerator. Contact us if you are a deeptech HPSU to find out more!

European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE)

To date Ireland has 32 projects funded under the EIE programme. The final European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) calls for 2025 recently opened and close on 20th January 2026. The three remaining topics will be of real interest to those interested in strengthening the innovation ecosystems across the EU.

HORIZON-EIE-2026-01-CONNECT-01: European network of national competence centers for innovation procurement 

HORIZON-EIE-2026-01-CONNECT-02: Expanding Investment Ecosystems 

HORIZON-EIE-2026-01-CONNECT-03: Scaling up deep tech ecosystems

The presentation and recording of the info session can be found here.

Again, please reach out if you want further information on any of these calls!