The EIC Transition programme sits between the Pathfinder and Accelerator stages of the European Innovation Council’s (EIC) funding pathway. Its goal is to turn early scientific results or proof-of-principle discoveries into validated, investable technologies and business cases. Here’s a full overview of what it is, who it’s for, and how it works.

Types of Calls

The EIC Transition is structured into two main call types: EIC Transition Open and EIC Transition Challenges. Each year, specific Challenges are selected to align with EU priorities such as climate resilience, digital sovereignty, or health innovation.

Who Can Apply

Applications can be made by:

✓   Single applicants (SMEs, start-ups, research organisations, universities, or larger firms), or

✓   Consortia of up to five legal entities (usually 2–3 partners).

✓   The participants must be established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.

✓   If the project builds directly on Pathfinder or FET results, at least one of the original project partners must be involved.

What the Funding Covers

EIC Transition funding supports both technology development and commercial readiness. Typical eligible activities include:

Technology maturation

• Prototyping, testing, and validation in relevant environments
• Design and engineering development
• Verification of performance, safety, or regulatory aspects

Market preparation

• Customer discovery, value proposition refinement
• Competitor analysis and market entry strategy
• IP protection and freedom-to-operate studies
• Business model design and spin-off creation

Funding can also cover networking, consortium management, dissemination, and outreach activities.

The funding rate is up to 100% of eligible costs.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the project, teams should achieve:

➜  A validated technology demonstrator (TRL 5–6)

➜  A clear commercialisation plan or business case

➜  Demonstrated market interest or early industrial partnerships

➜  Readiness to apply for EIC Accelerator or attract private investment

Many successful Transition projects later move directly into EIC Accelerator blended finance, where they can secure equity investment to scale up.

Project Size and Duration

• Budget: typically up to €2.5 million (sometimes up to €4 million for Challenge topics).
• Duration: between 12 and 36 months, depending on the work plan.
• Funding rate: 100% of eligible direct costs plus a 25% flat-rate contribution to indirect costs.

Evaluation Criteria

Projects are evaluated using three criteria similar to other EIC instruments:

1  |  Excellence – The level of innovation and technological advancement beyond the state of the art.

2  |  Impact – Market potential, competitiveness, societal value, and scale-up prospects.

3  |  Quality and Efficiency of Implementation – Credibility of the work plan, capability of the team, and management of technical and commercial risks.

Applicants must convincingly show how the proposed work will de-risk the technology and strengthen its commercial potential.

Synergies and Progression Path

The EIC envisages a continuum across its instruments:

Strengths and Challenges

Strengths

✓  Bridges the critical “valley of death” between research and commercialisation.

✓   Allows researchers to retain ownership of their IP while exploring business potential.

✓   Fully funds both technical and commercial activities.

✓   Encourages cross-disciplinary, public–private collaboration.

✓   Can provide a stepping stone to Accelerator investment.

Challenges

⚠️   Applicants must show both deep technical competence and commercial insight.

⚠️   Requires clear proof that the underlying science is solid and that the market need is real.

⚠️   Competition is intense, with a low success rate.

⚠️   Deliverables must balance technical progress with business validation — both are mandatory.

Key Success Factors

Successful Transition proposals usually:

✓   Start from a solid scientific proof-of-principle, not just an idea.

✓   Present a credible technical roadmap towards TRL 6.

✓   Include market engagement evidence (letters of intent, interviews, early customers).

✓   Involve a multidisciplinary team combining scientific and commercial skills.

✓   Define clear IP ownership and exploitation plans.

✓   Emphasise the European strategic relevance of the innovation.

If you have any questions relating to the EIC Transition Programme or wish to discuss how Grant Funding might benefit your business, please get in touch with the ABGi Team and a representative will get back to you to discuss your unique needs and explain how we can assist.