Guide

EIC Accelerator eligibility: can my company apply?

The EIC Accelerator funds single, high-growth SMEs and startups with breakthrough, market-creating innovation. Before you invest in a proposal, confirm the basics.

The core eligibility signals

You are an SME (or a small mid-cap where allowed). The Accelerator is mono-beneficiary — a single company, not a consortium. Confirm with the SME eligibility checker.
Your technology is mature enough. The Accelerator typically expects a validated technology (around TRL 5–6+). Gauge your stage with the TRL checker.
The programme fits your project. Not sure EIC is the right instrument? The programme matcher compares EIC against Horizon Europe collaborative actions and other programmes.

If you qualify, what next?

See live EIC Accelerator opportunities and review consortium requirements (spoiler: it is a single applicant, not a consortium). Always confirm the definitive rules in the current EIC Work Programme and the official Funding & Tenders Portal — GRANTIBASE is indicative, not official advice.

Check your SME status

The EIC Accelerator is for a single SME applicant — start by confirming you qualify under the EU SME definition.

Open SME eligibility checker