The Commission has appointed a new EIC Board, consisting
of fifteen new members and five members from the previous Board whose
appointments have been extended. EIC Board members serve a two-year term,
which can be renewed twice.
Negotiations are currently underway on the new EU
Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10). The German
government has now published a position paper setting out its views on the
European Commission's proposal. The paper emphasises the importance of
creating space for exceptional research ideas and facilitating their
implementation. It also contains a number of demands regarding the
EIC.
Further information and details of the core demands for
the future EU Framework Programme can be found at the following
link:
In a special address at the World Economic Forum in Davos
on 20 January 2026, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described
European independence as essential. She also proposed the creation of a
new European corporate structure called EU Inc. This would be a
straightforward set of rules applicable throughout the EU, enabling
entrepreneurs to register their company online within 48 hours.
The
EIC
Datahub (European Innovation Council) is an interactive online tool
provided by the Executive Agency for the European Innovation Council and
SMEs (EISMEA). This tool provides applicants for the EIC Accelerator with
an excellent overview of funded projects, making it ideal for identifying
which topics and companies have already received funding.
March 12/13, 19 and 26, 2026, each starting at 10:00
am, online
The EIC Accelerator is aimed at small and medium-sized
enterprises, including start-ups, developing breakthrough, high-risk,
deep-tech innovations with high market potential. The programme offers
both grants and equity capital to bring innovations to market.
The application process for the EIC Accelerator has three
stages: In the first stage, a short application with a video and pitch
presentation is submitted. In the second stage, the candidates with the
best project proposals submit a full proposal. In the third stage,
particularly promising applicants are invited to an interview.
The online seminar series of the NCP EIC Accelerator
provides applicants with information on the programme and an insight into
the application process.
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March 12, Info seminar on the EIC Accelerator (German),
10:00-11:00, online.
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March 13, Info seminar on the EIC Accelerator (English),
10:00-11:00, online.
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March 19, Applicant workshop on the short application
(German), 10:00-11:30, online.
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March 25, Applicant workshop on the full application
(German), 10:00-11:30, online.
Participation in the modules is only open to SMEs and
start-ups that have already submitted their own application to the EIC
Accelerator or are planning to do so. Consultancy agencies are excluded
from participation. Participation is free of charge.
EIC Summit June 3 and 4, 2026
Wednesday June 3, 2026, 10:00 am to Thursday June 4,
2026, 5:00 pm, Brussels
The EIC Summit will take place on June 3 and 4, 2026 in
Tour & Taxis (Brussels). During the event, participants will have the
opportunity to network and meet EIC projects that will be presented in the
exhibition.