Important changes in the EIC Transition & the STEP Programme!
Check the novelties for 2026:
EIC Transition:
- Supports validation and demonstration for market readiness based on previously EU-funded projects.
- Open to SMEs, startups, research organizations, and universities.
- One call in 2026: September 19, €100 million budget, grants up to €2.5 million (100% funding).
- Requirements include proven results from previous EU funding, TRL 3-4 progressing towards TRL 5-6, market and competitive analysis, and a strong multidisciplinary team.
- Interviews are planned for December 2026 and results by January 2027.
STEP Programme
- Focus on mature technologies ready for major scale-up; equity investment rather than grants.
- Budget around €300 million for 2026; target funding rounds between €50 million and €150 million.
- Applicants must have pre-commitment from qualified investors (≥20% of funding round).
- Targets deep tech, clean tech, biotech, digital with a potential stronger focus on semiconductors, quantum technologies (pending confirmation in final Work Programme document).
- Evaluation focuses on excellence, implementation capacity, investment leverage, impact, and scale-up potential.
- Application includes a business plan, pitch, investor commitments, remote evaluation, interview in Brussels, due diligence, and negotiation.
To know more about the EIC Transition & STEP Programmes
If you want to know more about the EIC Transition and the STEP programme, watch our full recording:
EIC 2026 Updates (Part 2): EIC Transition and STEP Programmes.
