EIC Accelerator 2025: Key Deadlines - Application Timeline & How to Improve Your Chances of Success
Planning to apply for the EIC Accelerator in 2025?
Planning to apply for the EIC Accelerator in 2025?
Here are EIC accelerator: Key Deadlines. Understanding the official timeline is essential to developing a competitive application—and maximising your chances of securing up to €2.5M in grant funding and €15M in equity investment from the European Innovation Council. (Equity Investment is available to SME’s in the EU only)
In this guide, we walk you through the key deadlines, how the process works, and how Novigo can support you in preparing and submitting a high-quality proposal.
EIC Accelerator 2025 Key Deadlines at a Glance
If you submit your Stage 1 short proposal by Monday, 5 August 2025, it will be included in the next evaluation batch on Tuesday, 6 August 2025. The outcome is typically available by mid-September.
If successful at Stage 1, you will be eligible to submit a Stage 2 full application by the official cut-off on Tuesday, 1 October 2025 (17:00 CET).
Stage 2 evaluations will be completed by November 2025, and shortlisted applicants will be invited to pitch their project during the final jury interviews, provisionally scheduled for 19–23 January 2026. For successful applicants, grant agreement preparation (and equity negotiations, if applicable) will begin from February 2026.
EIC Accelerator 2025 Key Deadlines – Official Timeline Summary
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 Submission | Monday, 5 August 2025 |
| Stage 1 Batching for Assessment | Tuesday, 6 August 2025 |
| Stage 1 Outcome | Mid-September 2025 |
| Stage 2 Deadline | Tuesday, 1 October 2025, 17:00 CET |
| Stage 2 Outcome | November 2025 |
| Final Jury Interviews (Step 3) | 19–23 January 2026 |
| Grant Agreement / Equity Prep | February–March 2026 |
Why Apply Now?
With only two cut-off dates per year, timing your application is crucial. Starting early ensures you have enough time to prepare the required documents, including your 12-page Stage 1 proposal, pitch video, slide deck, and supporting annexes. For Stage 2, expect a more detailed technical and commercial plan, along with financial models and work packages.
How Novigo Can Help You Win
Novigo works with startups and deep-tech SMEs across Europe to plan, write, and submit successful EIC Accelerator proposals. Our team of experts helps clients navigate the process from start to finish—including proposal writing, budgeting, portal submissions, and interview preparation.
With deep insight into what assessors are looking for, we can help you:
Shape your innovation story to align with EIC priorities for your Stage one Application so that you get a GO, for a stage 2 application. Remember, you can only submit a Stage 2 application if your Stage 1 application is successful. It may be a short form application, but it is critical that you get this right.
Build a robust budget and financial plan
Strengthen your team and market strategy sections
Prepare for Stage 3 interviews with confidence
Need Help? Contact Novigo
If you’re aiming to get your fundingin place for Spring 2026, then you need to apply NOW for the batch assessment on the 6th August, and start preparing for the 1 October 2025 Stage 2 cut-off, now is the time to start. Contact us to explore how we can help position your project for funding success. If you miss the October cut off, the next cut off will be in March 2026.