European Innovation Council opens over EUR 1.8bn in 2027 funding

The European Innovation Council said on 5 November 2026 that its 2027 work programme will continue support from early research to commercialisation and scale-up, delivering on the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy and Competitiveness Compass with simpler, faster and more targeted instruments.

The EIC funding opportunities page for 2027 details more than EUR 1.8 billion across six main schemes, including Pathfinder (EUR 248m), Transition (EUR 92m), Advanced Innovation Challenges (EUR 25m), Accelerator (EUR 578m), STEP Scale Up (EUR 290m), STEP Scale Up Defence (EUR 100m) and the Scaleup Europe Fund (EUR 400m).

Scheme-by-scheme budgets

Pathfinder offers grants up to EUR 4 million for multidisciplinary breakthrough research. Transition offers grants up to EUR 2.5 million to turn Pathfinder, ERC Proof of Concept and selected Horizon Europe results into innovation opportunities, with a shift toward single teams and companies rather than consortia. Advanced Innovation Challenges provide EUR 300,000 lump sums for high-risk, demand-driven deep tech where research is abundant but commercial uptake lags.

Accelerator remains the core startup and SME scale instrument, with grants below EUR 2.5 million and equity investments from EUR 0.5 million to EUR 10 million. STEP Scale Up adds EUR 10-30 million equity for critical-technology companies chasing private co-investment rounds of EUR 50 million or more. A dedicated STEP Scale Up Defence call (EUR 100 million) can put up to EUR 30 million of direct equity into air and missile defence, drones and counter-drones, and other critical defence technologies.

Scaleup Europe Fund and gender measures

The Scaleup Europe Fund receives EUR 400 million in 2027, with equity tickets above EUR 30 million up to several hundred million euro, implemented by EQT as external fund manager. The programme completes funding toward the Scaleup Europe Fund's EUR 1 billion envelope and continues defence investments introduced during 2026.

Women TechEU grants are redesigned and doubled to EUR 150,000 per startup. A new European Prize for Women Innovators in Quantum complements the existing EU Prize for Women Innovators. Pathfinder applications move to a two-stage evaluation with interviews for shortlisted proposals to manage volume.

Practical next steps for founders

EIC information days are scheduled for 19 November (funding opportunities) and 20 November (Accelerator Challenges). Business Acceleration Services remain attached to financial support. New measures also aim to help EIC-backed companies win first customers, including through public procurement.

For European deep-tech founders, 2027 is the last full Horizon Europe EIC year before the next framework programme reshapes instruments. The STEP and Scaleup Europe Fund sleeves are the clearest bridges from grant-stage science to large private rounds. Related coverage includes Pigment's Series E with the Scaleup Europe Fund and debates on EU Inc corporate reform.

Context for European readers

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