EIC to invest €1.4bn to support European deep tech in 2025
The European Innovation Council (EIC) has announced a significant boost to its 2025 budget, increasing it by nearly €200m to €1.4bn. This investment, part of the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, aims to support the development of deep-tech research, start-ups, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Europe.
Launched in 2021, the EIC has a total budget of over €10bn allocated until 2027. To date, it has funded over 630 companies and 450 research projects, establishing itself as a critical pillar in advancing breakthrough technologies and innovation ecosystems in Europe.
EIC’s Funding Focus for 2025
The EIC Work Programme 2025 builds on three primary funding schemes:
- Pathfinder Scheme (€262m): Supports early-stage technological research and concepts that have the potential to create groundbreaking innovations.
- Transition Scheme (€98m): Bridges the gap between research results and market-ready innovations, serving as a stepping stone after the Pathfinder phase.
- Accelerator Scheme (€634m): Provides funding to start-ups and SMEs with the capacity to make significant market impacts. While substantial, this year’s Accelerator budget represents a slight decrease from last year’s €675m allocation.
In addition to these core schemes, the EIC has introduced the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) scale-up scheme, with an initial budget of €300m. This initiative aims to address funding gaps in scaling deep-tech innovation and will focus on strategic areas such as quantum technology, semiconductors, digital technologies, and resource-efficient solutions. Investments under the STEP scheme will range from €10m to €30m, with funding expected to rise to €900m between 2025 and 2027.
Strategic Goals and Emerging Technologies
The expanded EIC Work Programme is designed to strengthen Europe’s position in critical technological fields and reduce dependencies on external markets. Specific allocations include:
- €120m for emerging technologies like autonomous robotics, climate-resilient crops, and advanced medical diagnostics.
- €250m for earlier-stage ventures in generative AI, future mobility solutions, and other target technologies.
According to the European Commission, these investments are crucial for fostering innovation in areas deemed vital for Europe’s strategic autonomy and competitiveness.
Addressing the Funding Gap
Iliana Ivanova, EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, highlighted the transformative role of the EIC in Europe’s innovation landscape.
“The EIC has emerged as a game-changer in EU support to breakthrough innovation,” Ivanova said. “The targeted support, especially through the STEP scale-up call, will help bridge critical funding gaps and build a stronger, more resilient innovation ecosystem in Europe.”
The STEP scheme, introduced as part of the broader STEP regulation earlier this year, directly addresses challenges in scaling deep-tech innovations. By focusing on strategic technologies, the initiative seeks to avoid critical dependencies on non-European sources and reinforce Europe’s position as a global leader in advanced research and development.
Collaborative Investment Efforts
The European Commission is also amplifying its efforts through partnerships. Last week, it launched the Trusted Investors Network, a collaboration with 71 private investors managing combined assets of over €90bn. This network will co-invest in deep-tech companies, complementing the EIC’s funding efforts and broadening the scope of resources available for European innovators.
Since its inception, the EIC has played a vital role in supporting research and development projects across the EU. For instance, nearly €128m has been funneled into approximately 80 Irish research projects, demonstrating the programme’s widespread impact.
Building Europe’s Innovation Future
The EIC’s €1.4bn budget for 2025 underscores the EU’s commitment to deep-tech innovation. By prioritizing funding for early-stage research, transitioning projects to market readiness, and scaling strategic technologies, the EIC aims to position Europe as a leader in cutting-edge industries.
As the EIC expands its initiatives, the programme is poised to drive the next wave of breakthroughs, strengthen Europe’s technological independence, and foster a robust, interconnected innovation ecosystem.