EIC Transition

The EIC Transition is a funding programme under Horizon Europe that helps innovators move their breakthrough technologies beyond the lab and closer to market. It supports the maturation and validation of promising technologies—typically starting from TRL 3 or 4 and aiming to reach TRL 5 or 6—while also strengthening their business and market readiness.

The programme targets SMEs, start-ups, research organisations, universities, and spin-offs that have already achieved significant results in eligible EU-funded projects and want to explore their commercial potential. Proposals must build on prior work that has reached at least experimental proof of concept, and the innovation should be directed toward a well-defined application with high market potential. Applicants can be single entities (if an SME, start-up, or research performer) or small consortia of two to five entities from at least two different EU Member States or Associated Countries.

The EIC Transition offers up to EUR2.5 million in grant funding to support technology validation and early business development, along with booster grants of up to EUR50,000 for complementary activities. Successful applicants also gain access to a wide range of tailor-made Business Acceleration Services, including mentoring, training, and connections to investors, global partners, and innovation ecosystems. The EIC Transition Open call has no predefined thematic priorities and is open to all fields of science and technology, with a total budget of EUR98 million for 2025. Applications go through a three-step process: proposal submission, evaluation by an expert jury, and a face-to-face interview with the EIC Jury.