EIC Accelerator Stage 2 Funding:
How to Apply - A Step-by-Step Guide
EIC Accelerator - Stage 2 Application Process
You Can only submit an EIC Accelerator Stage 2 Application once you’ve successfully passed the EIC Accelerator Stage 1 programme with a Green Light.
If you have a Green Light from the EIC Accelerator Stage 1 – congratulations! You’re now invited to submit a full Stage 2 application — the final step toward securing up to €2.5 million in grant funding and up to €15 million in equity support from the European Innovation Council (EIC). In this blog, we walk you through the Stage 2 application process, including the documents you’ll need and key tips to stand out
Step 1: Understand What an EIC Accelerator Stage 2 Application Involves
Stage 2 of the EIC Accelerator application is where you submit your full business case and implementation plan. This stage is far more detailed than the short proposal and is your opportunity to demonstrate that your innovation is not only disruptive but also commercially viable, scalable, and strategically thought through. The goal is to convince expert evaluators and an investor-style jury that your company is ready for significant EU support.
A 50-page technical proposal (Part B)
The core of the application is a structured, 50-page document that outlines your innovation, market opportunity, implementation plan, intellectual property strategy, commercialisation pathway, and team capabilities. This is the main narrative that reviewers will score and it must follow the official template closely, addressing each of the evaluation criteria.
Financial and equity plans
If you’re applying for blended finance or investment-only support, you must include detailed equity and funding plans. These cover your projected financials, the amount and type of investment you’re seeking, current and future ownership structure, and how the EIC funding will be used to de-risk your innovation. Even for grant-only applications, a sound financial strategy is crucial to show how you’ll commercialise and grow post-project.
Budget breakdowns
A detailed budget must be provided using the official lump sum cost model. This outlines how your project funds will be distributed across different work packages, personnel, subcontracting, travel, and other eligible costs. The budget must align with the technical activities and be realistic, transparent, and justifiable.
A pitch deck for the interview stage
You’ll be required to submit a refined investor-style pitch deck, typically 10–15 slides, that summarises your business case. This deck will be used during your face-to-face or remote jury interview if you progress past the remote expert evaluation. It should be visually engaging and address the core pillars of your innovation, market, team, traction, and funding ask.
Supporting annexes
Several mandatory annexes must be uploaded, including an Ownership Control Declaration, a Data Management Plan, a Financial Plan and Equity Annex (if relevant), and a detailed budget spreadsheet. These documents ensure transparency, legal compliance, and clarity around your ownership structure, data practices, and funding needs.
Step 2: EIC Accelerator Stage 2 - Specific Details
This section of the full application focuses on the practical delivery of your project, how EIC support will directly accelerate your commercial success, and—if relevant—your equity requirements. It complements the business case by demonstrating how the innovation will be implemented, monitored, and funded.
Implementation plan (work packages, deliverables, milestones)
Your implementation plan must be broken down into clear, structured work packages. Each work package should define specific activities, associated deliverables, milestones, responsible team members, and timeframes. This provides reviewers with confidence that you have a realistic, step-by-step route to deliver the innovation, and that progress can be tracked. Common categories include R&D, testing, certification, commercialisation, and project management.
How EIC funding helps you scale
You must demonstrate the strategic value of EIC support—why it’s essential to reaching your next stage of growth. This is where you explain how the funding will unlock technical development, market access, hiring, or strategic partnerships that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. It’s important to show how the funding acts as a catalyst, speeding up time to market and improving your chances of success compared to slower or riskier alternative funding routes.
Equity needs (if applying for blended finance or investment-only)
In the EIC Accelerator Stage 2 application, you can apply for blended Investment funding of up to €10 million within the application process, if you are within one of the associated countries. Unfortunately, the UK is NOR a in this category. All EU countries can apply for these funds. The UK CAN apply for the grant component of the fund, up to €2.5 Million. If you are requesting blended finance or investment-only support, this is your opportunity to clearly articulate your equity needs. You should detail how much equity you require, your current cap table, how the funds will be used, and how EIC investment will attract or complement other private investment. The panel wants to see a credible funding strategy that balances risk, ensures sustainability, and positions your company for scale.
Tip: This entire Part B document, including both business case and EIC-specific sections, must fit within the 50-page limit (including the cover page). Use Times New Roman, font size 11, and follow the official formatting instructions carefully to avoid automatic rejection.
Step 3: Prepare and Upload the Required Annexes
As part of your Stage 2 submission to the EIC Accelerator, you must include a series of mandatory annexes using the official templates provided. These annexes are critical to ensuring your application meets the legal, financial, and technical standards expected by the European Commission. They provide important transparency regarding your ownership structure, budget, data management, and funding strategy. Missing or incomplete annexes will result in your application being rejected without evaluation.
Ownership Control Declaration (Required for all applicants)
This annex outlines the ownership and control structure of your company. It includes details such as shareholding percentages, voting rights, and any significant links to entities in third countries. This is used to verify that your organisation is eligible to receive funding and that there are no conflicts with EU ownership and control rules. You should ensure all details are up to date and consistent with any corporate filings.
Data Management Plan (DMP) (Required for all applicants)
The DMP explains how data generated or reused during your project will be managed in line with the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). It should include details about storage, security, privacy, metadata standards, and data sharing. If your project involves personal or sensitive data, you must address GDPR compliance, consent processes, and ethical considerations.
Financial Plan and Equity Needed (Required for investment or blended finance applications)
If your EIC Accelerator Stage 2 application includes an investment component (either blended finance or investment-only), this annex is required. It sets out your equity needs, investment strategy, current and projected cap table, and how EIC funds will be used to attract or complement private investment. It helps reviewers understand the scalability of your business and whether your funding strategy is credible and realistic.
Detailed Budget Table (Lump Sum) (Required for all applicants)
All applicants must complete the lump sum budget table, which itemises costs across each work package and project activity. This annex should correspond exactly with your implementation plan and provide clarity on how funds will be allocated to personnel, subcontracting, travel, equipment, and other eligible costs. The figures must be consistent with your proposal narrative and support the feasibility of your work plan.
These annexes are not just formalities—they are essential tools for the evaluators to assess your project’s structure, credibility, and alignment with EIC requirements. Be thorough, accurate, and consistent across all your documents to maximise your chances of success.
Step 4: Update Your Pitch Deck and Video
When preparing your EIC Accelerator Stage 2 application, your written proposal is supported by a compelling visual presentation. While the video is optional at this stage (unless specifically requested), a clear and investor-ready pitch deck is essential. These materials will be reviewed by the evaluation jury if you are invited to the final interview, and they must align with the narrative in your full application.
Pitch Deck
You are required to submit an updated pitch deck, typically 10 to 15 slides in PDF format. This should provide a concise, visually engaging overview of your business case, covering the problem you’re solving, your innovative solution, target market, business model, traction to date, team expertise, financial projections, and funding request. Think of this as your opportunity to showcase the key elements of your proposal in a format designed to persuade potential investors. The style should be professional, easy to follow, and aligned with the expectations of a high-stakes funding pitch.
Video Pitch (Optional at Stage 2)
In your EIC Accelerator Stage 1 application, you MUSR submit a Short 3 minute video. Although not mandatory at the EIC stage in an EIC Accelerator Stage 2 Application, a short video may still be requested by the jury or used to strengthen your application. If submitted, the video should be no longer than three minutes and feature key members of your team explaining your innovation, motivation, and vision for the company. The goal is to humanise your business and show the passion, credibility, and leadership behind the project. It does not need to be heavily produced but should be clear, authentic, and professional in tone.
These materials are often the first impression your evaluators will have of your team and project—especially during the interview phase. Prepare them with the same level of care and strategic intent as your written proposal. If you are invited to interview, the jury will use the pitch deck as the basis of your presentation, so it must be compelling and consistent with your wider application.
Step 5: Submit via the EU Funding Portal
Once your EIC Accelerator Stage 2 application documents are complete, the final step is to submit everything through the European Commission’s official Funding & Tenders Portal. This is a secure, centralised platform for managing Horizon Europe applications, including the EIC Accelerator.
Register or Log In
If you haven’t already done so, you will need to register on the Funding & Tenders Portal to obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC) for your organisation. This PIC is required to access the submission forms and associate your company with the application. If your company already has a PIC, you can log in directly using your existing EU Login credentials.
Select the EIC Accelerator Stage 2 Call
Navigate to the open EIC Accelerator call relevant to your application—either Open or Challenge-specific—and start a new submission. You’ll be guided through the online form system where you must complete Part A (administrative details) directly within the portal.
Upload Part B and Annexes
Part B (your 50-page technical proposal) must be uploaded as a single PDF file. You’ll also be required to upload all supporting annexes, including the Ownership Control Declaration, Data Management Plan, Detailed Budget Table, and—if applicable—the Financial Plan and Equity Annex. Ensure all documents follow the official templates and naming conventions, and that the content is consistent throughout.
Submit Your EIC Accelerator Stage 2 Application Before the Cut-Off Date
Each EIC Accelerator cut-off has a strict deadline, typically announced several months in advance. Applications must be submitted by 17:00 Brussels time on the designated date. Late submissions, files that exceed the page limit, or missing documents will lead to automatic rejection with no opportunity for correction.
Submitting early is strongly advised. Technical issues, upload errors, or final formatting problems can easily occur at the last minute. Allow yourself enough time for internal checks, last-minute edits, and platform navigation to ensure a smooth and successful submission.
Step 6: Prepare for the Jury Interview for EIC Accelerator Stage 2
If your full proposal receives a positive evaluation from the remote expert reviewers, you will be invited to a final-stage interview with a jury panel. This is your opportunity to present your innovation in person (or virtually) and defend your proposal before a panel of experienced investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. The interview is a critical part of the process and can ultimately determine whether your company is awarded EIC funding.
Format and Structure
The interview typically consists of a 10-minute pitch presentation, followed by a 30-minute question-and-answer session with the jury. The panel will have reviewed your full application and pitch deck in advance. The goal is to validate your credibility as a team, the commercial viability of your innovation, and the strategic use of EIC support. The jury will assess your understanding of the market, your growth potential, and your ability to execute the proposed plan.
Presentation Preparation
Your pitch should be well-rehearsed, concise, and aligned with the materials submitted in your application. Use your pitch deck as the visual backbone of the presentation, and ensure each slide is clearly explained within the time limit. Avoid excessive technical detail unless requested; focus instead on your unique value proposition, market traction, competitive advantage, financial projections, and how EIC funding will accelerate your roadmap.
Q&A Readiness
The jury will challenge you with detailed questions on all aspects of your business—technical feasibility, go-to-market strategy, financials, risks, intellectual property, regulatory requirements, and your leadership team. You should be prepared to answer directly, confidently, and with supporting evidence where needed. If your proposal includes a request for equity, expect in-depth questions about your cap table, funding history, and exit strategy.
Logistics and Team Involvement
The interview is typically conducted remotely via a secure video conferencing platform. You may include up to three representatives from your company in the session. Choose team members who can collectively address commercial, technical, and strategic aspects of the proposal, and ensure you allocate speaking roles ahead of time.
Strong performance at the jury interview stage can make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful application. It is your chance to show not only the strength of your innovation but also your ability to lead and scale a commercially viable venture. Practice thoroughly, anticipate questions, and present with clarity and conviction.
Timescales
After receiving a “GO” decision at Stage 1, applicants have up to 12 months to prepare and submit their full Stage 2 proposal. However, given the scale and complexity of the application, including the technical narrative, annexes, financial planning, and pitch materials, we strongly recommend that companies begin preparing their submission within a couple of weeks of receiving the invitation. Most high-quality applications require at least six to eight weeks to prepare properly.
The full proposal must be submitted in line with one of the EIC Accelerator’s published cut-off dates, which are announced in advance on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Once submitted, the application is evaluated by remote experts, typically within four to six weeks. If successful, the applicant will be invited to a jury interview, usually scheduled one to two months after submission.
Final funding decisions are communicated approximately four to six weeks following the interview. Allowing sufficient preparation time is critical to ensuring a competitive and well-supported application. It’s better to take more time than not have enough.
Ready to Apply?
Ready to apply? The EIC Accelerator is one of the most competitive and prestigious funding programmes available to innovative SMEs and start-ups across Europe. With the right strategy, supporting documentation, and a clearly articulated business case, your company could secure the funding it needs to scale globally.
If you need expert support in preparing, reviewing, or refining your application, Novigo can help.