On 29 October 2024, the European Commission approved the European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2025, which includes a budget increase of €200 million in comparison with 2024.
The Programme allocated €1.4 billion to support research in deep tech research and high-potential start-ups. The EIC main funding schemes are: EIC Pathfinder (€262 milion), EIC Transition (€98 million) and EIC Accelerator (€634 million) as well as EIC STEP Scale-up.
The main highlights of the EIC Work Programme 2025 include:
- EIC STEP Scale-up scheme: with an initial budget of €300 million for 2025, it aims at investing in companies with up to 499 employees, which develop strategic technology for EU: digital, biotechnology and sustainable solutions. It will provide funding from €10 to 30 million to companies through the EIC Fund, with the goal of attracting private co-investments for an overall amount of at least €50-150 million.
- Increasing access to Business Acceleration Services for emerging companies from widening countries.
- Awarding of “Seals of Excellence” for EIC Transition and EIC Accelerator and the new STEP Seal under the EIC STEP Scale-up scheme and Accelerator Challenge calls.
- Updating EIC challenges:
- €120 million for emerging technologies, including autonomous robotics, climate-resilient crops, material recycling and medical diagnosis;
- €250 million for early-stage companies operating in sectors including generative artificial intelligence, space, agritech and future mobility solutions.
