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EIC Accelerator — Short proposal

Open

Applications close on 16 Dec 2027 (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time). Organisations in EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries such as Türkiye can usually take part; the topic conditions control.

Who can apply

Single company (SME, some small mid-caps) or a natural person or investor planning to set one up (EIC rule).

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

Timing

Next deadline 2027-12-16. The portal states the exact cut-off time (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time).

How to apply

1. Check eligibility: single SME (or founders/investors setting one up) established in an EU Member State or Associated Country; submission limits apply (EIC Work Programme 2027).
2. Register the company in the Funding & Tenders Portal to get a PIC.
3. Submit a short proposal (stage 1) in the portal submission system for HORIZON-EIC-2027-ACCELERATOR-01; it is evaluated on the stage-1 evaluation form.
4. If the short proposal passes, submit a full proposal (stage 2) for a cut-off; by then the company must be established in a Member State or Associated Country.
5. If you already take part in a Horizon Europe or Horizon 2020 project, check the Fast Track scheme (Annex 3 of the EIC Work Programme 2027).

✓ Checked against the official call text on 2026-11-15 (EU Funding & Tenders Portal, topic HORIZON-EIC-2027-ACCELERATOR-01, topic conditions (EIC Work Programme 2027, Annex 2)).

From the call text

Who can apply

A single SME (including start-ups) established in an EU Member State or Associated Country. Small mid-caps (up to 499 employees) only for investment-only support or, exceptionally, blended finance. Natural persons or legal entities may also apply if they intend to set up an SME in a Member State or Associated Country, or to invest in one (with a prior agreement with the company). Founders from non-associated countries may apply if they set up or relocate an SME there.

Company stage

Start-ups and SMEs developing an innovation for market; the grant is a lump sum (HORIZON Lump Sum Grant).

Single applicant or consortium

Single applicant: no consortium.

Where applicants must be based

The company must be established in an EU Member State or Associated Country at the latest when the full proposal is submitted.

Where to apply

Short proposal, then full proposal, both in the Funding & Tenders Portal submission system for this topic.

Read the EU application guide

Official sources

Official call page

Facts on this page come from the official source and were last checked 14 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.

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