European Innovation Council
EIC Transition
Up to €2.5M to mature early-stage technologies from lab proof-of-concept to market-ready prototypes.
About the EIC Transition
The EIC Transition funds the maturation of promising early-stage technologies from TRL 3–4 to TRL 5–6, bridging the gap between Pathfinder research and the commercialisation phase targeted by EIC Accelerator. Eligible projects must build on results from a previous ERC Proof of Concept, EIC Pathfinder, or specific FET (Horizon 2020) projects. Funding goes up to €2.5 million. Consortia can be single-entity (one applicant moving their own earlier research forward) or multi-partner — the rules are more flexible than other EU schemes. The scheme emphasises moving from "does it work in a lab?" to "does it work in a relevant environment?" and producing a demonstration, validation, or business case that enables downstream investment. It is a relatively new addition (Horizon Europe only) and success rates are still settling.
Key facts
- TRL
- 3–4 to 5–6
- Max budget
- €2.5M
- Duration
- Up to 3 years
- Prerequisite
- Prior ERC PoC / EIC Pathfinder / FET
- Success rate
- ~15–20%
Who is eligible?
- •Project must build on results from an eligible prior grant (ERC PoC, EIC Pathfinder, or certain FET projects)
- •TRL 3–4 at start, moving to TRL 5–6 by project end
- •Consortium can be single-entity or multi-partner (no minimum partner rule)
- •Must be EU/associated country based
Frequently asked questions
+Do I have to hold a current grant to apply for EIC Transition?
You need to have held an eligible prior grant (ERC Proof of Concept, EIC Pathfinder, or certain FET calls). The prior grant doesn't need to still be active, but your project must demonstrably build on its results.
+Can a single company apply alone?
Yes. Unlike most EU schemes, EIC Transition allows single-entity applications. This is intentional — it enables researchers or small companies to advance their own technology without the overhead of assembling a consortium.
+What is the expected outcome of an EIC Transition project?
A validated technology at TRL 5–6 plus a clear business case for next-step investment. Typical deliverables include a demonstrator, validation in a relevant environment, IP protection plan, and a commercialisation or spin-off roadmap.
+Can EIC Transition fund spin-off company formation?
Yes. Budget can cover legal, IP, and business-development costs associated with spinning out a company, alongside the core technology development. This is one of the few EU instruments explicitly supporting this transition.
Looking for proposal-writing advice?
Read the European Innovation Council writing guide →Related programmes
European Innovation Council
EIC Accelerator
Up to €2.5M grant + €15M equity for deep-tech startups and SMEs scaling market-creating innovations.
European Innovation Council
EIC Pathfinder
Up to €4M for visionary early-stage research on breakthrough technologies that don't yet exist.
European Research Council
ERC Proof of Concept
€150,000 top-up for existing ERC grant holders to explore the commercial or societal potential of their research.
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