Deadline Date: May 22, 2026
The Fast Track to the EIC Accelerator is seeking applications to support innovative startups, SMEs, and small mid-caps in scaling breakthrough technologies with high market potential that can create new markets or disrupt existing ones.
Focus Areas Support for startups, SMEs and small mid-caps; scaling high-impact and disruptive innovations; deep tech innovation; TRL 6 to TRL 9 development stages; grant funding; blended finance; investment support; innovation activities; market deployment; scaling up; patient capital; Eurostars-3 project linkage; intellectual property ownership; eligibility and documentation requirements.
The EIC Accelerator is designed to help companies scale breakthrough innovations by combining financial support with coaching, mentoring, and access to investors and corporates. It is implemented by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). In 2026, a total of 634 million euro has been allocated to the programme, with a strong emphasis on deep tech innovation and long-term, patient capital support.
Applicants may choose between three types of funding: grant only, blended finance, or investment only, depending on their development stage and financing needs.
The grant only option supports innovation activities from TRL 6 to TRL 8. It is provided as a lump sum contribution of up to less than EUR 2.5 million, covering a maximum of 70% of the company’s total eligible costs. Companies must demonstrate sufficient financial resources, such as revenue, existing investors, or shareholders, to support scaling and deployment. Small mid-caps are not eligible for grant only support, and UK companies are only eligible for this option.
Blended finance covers both innovation activities from TRL 6 to TRL 8 and market deployment actions from TRL 9 onwards. The grant component covers up to 70% of eligible costs for TRL 6 to TRL 8 activities, with a lump sum of up to less than EUR 2.5 million. The investment component ranges from EUR 0.5 million to EUR 10 million and is used to support further development and scaling.
The investment only option is focused on market deployment and scale-up at TRL 9 and can also co-finance innovation activities from TRL 6 to TRL 8. It provides investment ranging from EUR 0.5 million to EUR 10 million in the form of direct equity or quasi-equity, such as convertible loans, under an investment agreement.
The Eureka Fast Track is intended for companies with innovative, game-changing products, services, or business models that can create or disrupt markets in Europe and globally. Applicants should demonstrate strong ambition and commitment to scale, and require substantial funding due to high investment risk that private investors alone may not support.
To be eligible, companies must be legal entities established in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, or the United Kingdom. They must be single startups, SMEs, or small mid-caps, and must have successfully completed a Eurostars-3 project after 22 May 2024 or be in a project finishing before 22 November 2026. The innovation must originate from a Eurostars-3 project, and applicants must hold or have rights to the relevant intellectual property. Complete application documentation is also required.
For more information, visit Eureka Network.
