Today, 18 March 2021, saw the official launch of the European Innovation Council (EIC) – the most ambitious innovation initiative that Europe has taken until now. The Council is a key novelty of the new Horizon Europe programme, with a budget of 10 billion euros for the programming period of 2021-2027.

The EIC builds on a successful pilot programme under Horizon 2020 – the European Union’s research and innovation framework programme, that operated during the 2014-2020 programming period. It combines research on emerging technologies with an accelerator programme and a dedicated equity fund – the European Innovation Council Fund. With a budget of 3 billion euros, the Fund is meant to scale up innovative start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).

On top of the calls for project proposals, there will be two prizes: for Women Innovators and the European Capital of Innovation (iCapital).

Read more here.