What's Changed in the EIC Accelerator for 2026?

If you've been frustrated by the lengthy application process for the EIC Accelerator, 2026 brings welcome news. The European Commission has just adopted its new work programme for the European Innovation Council (EIC).

Key improvements to the EIC Accelerator include slashing full application forms from 50 to 20 pages and introducing evaluation rounds every two months instead of twice a year.

These simplifications are just one part of a broader €1.4 billion work programme designed to help European innovators scale globally whilst staying anchored in Europe.

Why is the EIC simplifying its Accelerator application?

The Commission has introduced improvements to make funding faster, more flexible and better aligned with innovators' needs. Since the EIC Accelerator launched under Horizon Europe, over 15,000 companies have applied, yet the application process has remained notoriously complex and time-consuming.

The simplified application process for the EIC Accelerator reduces full proposals from 50 to 20 pages and moves evaluation rounds to every two months over twice a year.

Stage 1 proposals for the EIC Accelerator will still be open on a continuous basis. Stage 2 proposals can only be submitted with at least 3 of 4 assessors giving your project’s Stage 2 application the go ahead.

For deep tech companies seeking substantial funding, these changes mean faster decisions and less time spent on paperwork.

What funding is available through the EIC in 2026?

The 2026 EIC work programme was adopted by the European Commission, allocating €1.4 billion across the EIC funding mechanisms.

The work programme details funding in five main schemes, with the EIC Accelerator commanding the largest share (€634 million). The programme supports start-ups and SMEs developing breakthrough innovations from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 onwards.

The Accelerator remains open to all technology sectors through its open calls. However, 2026 introduces specific challenges to accelerate commercialisation in strategic areas:

• Advanced materials for renewable energy and energy storage
• Fusion power plant technologies
• Biotech for agricultural soil regeneration
• Critical raw materials value chain
• Deep tech for climate adaptation

For companies requiring larger investments, the STEP Scale-up call continues in 2026 following high demand in 2025. For the coming year, €300 million has been allocated for providing equity funding to innovation-driving companies.

The EIC Pathfinder continues to support research teams at early stages; in 2026, it will have €262 million to do so. There’s also an increase to the maximum grant companies can access in the Pathfinder (now €4 million).

The EIC Transition (for projects between the Pathfinder and Accelerator) has been allocated €100 million to kickstart research projects from the Pathfinder, the ERC Proof of Concept, Research Infrastructure projects or collaborative projects under Horizon Europe Pillar II (a broader set of results than before).

The last portion of the EIC 2026 work programme budget (€6 million) is for the new funding mechanism, the Advanced Innovation Challenges.

What are the new Advanced Innovation Challenges?

2026 will see the pilot of a challenge-driven funding approach, the Advanced Innovation Challenges. This new programme provides a €300k lump sum to winners to Stage 1 winners out of €6 million allocated in 2026.

The Challenges target specific technology gaps where Europe needs breakthrough solutions, bridging the gap between fundamental research and market-ready products. Its stage-gated support aims to accelerate the path to market compared to existing Horizon Europe instruments.

Stage 1 is open to start-ups, SMEs or research performing organisations, to prepare and benchmark solutions and explore their feasibility. Stage 2, which will take place in 2027, will award a grant of up to €2.5 million to the most promising solutions.

The Advanced Innovation Challenges are based on the US Advanced Research Programme Agencies (for defence, health and energy), which look to deliver the next generation of technology in those sectors. There’s no word yet what the specific challenges will be, just that the EIC programme managers will be in charge of the framework.

How does the 2026 programme support the wider innovation ecosystem?

The 2026 work programme includes support to implement a number of actions set out under the Startup and Scaleup Strategy.

This includes supporting the European Corporate Network and strengthened services to support access to international markets and partners, and a Gender & Diversity Innovation Index to track the participation of women and underrepresented groups in the innovation ecosystem. This addresses the persistent gender gap in deep tech funding and ensures the EIC monitors progress in supporting diverse founding teams.

How do I apply for the EIC Accelerator in 2026?

The application process for the EIC Accelerator remains a three-stage system, but the 2026 changes make it significantly faster. You'll still submit a short proposal (Step 1) on a rolling basis, which gets evaluated within four weeks. If at least three out of four assessors give you a GO, you can proceed to the full proposal (Step 2).

Here's where the improvements make a real difference. Previously, Step 2 required a 50-page submission with only two annual deadlines. Now, you'll complete a 20-page proposal and can submit to any of six evaluation rounds throughout the year. This means if you miss one deadline or receive feedback that needs addressing, you won't wait six months for your next opportunity.

One of our clients, Hooke Bio, secured €5.5 million through the EIC Accelerator for their "body-on-a-chip" drug testing platform. They submitted their application under the previous 50-page format. The new streamlined process would have saved their team weeks of preparation time whilst still allowing them to make a compelling case for their breakthrough technology.

After Step 2 approval, you'll proceed to a 45-minute jury interview (Step 3) in Brussels or via video conference. The jury evaluates your proposal on three criteria: excellence (is this a genuine breakthrough?), impact (will this create or transform markets?), and implementation (can your team deliver this?).

The real advantage of the 2026 changes isn't just shorter applications. It's the ability to iterate faster. If your first submission doesn't progress, you can address evaluator feedback and resubmit within two months rather than waiting half a year.

What should you do now?

Since the EIC launched under Horizon Europe, it has supported more than 700 companies, including over 300 with direct investments, and more than 600 research projects. The 2026 changes make the programme more accessible than ever.

If you're developing breakthrough technology at TRL 6 or above, now is the time to consider applying. The simplified application process and more frequent evaluation rounds mean less risk of wasting months on a submission that doesn't progress.

If you'd like guidance on whether the EIC Accelerator suits your company's innovation, or help navigating the application process, get in touch with our team.