EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges Pilot

European Innovation Council · Grant programme

Closed, next round expectedLast verified 6 Nov 2026

The EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges Pilot provides two-stage grant funding for high-risk deep tech innovation, offering €300,000 in Stage 1 for feasibility benchmarking and up to €2.5 million in Stage 2 for real-world testing and commercialisation.

Key facts

Sectors: AI & machine learning, Robotics, Biotech & pharma
Ticket: up to €2.5M
Eligible countries: any EU member state
Provider based in: European Union
Timing: Deadline 26 Feb 2026
How to apply: Application portal · Apply on their site
Source: https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/advanced-innovation-challenges-pilot_en

Evidence

Short excerpts from the sources, in their original language, that back the facts above.

Apply linkhttps://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-EIC-2026-AIC-01?callIdentifier=HORIZON-EIC-2026-AIC&i…https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/advanced-innovation-challenges-pilot_en
DeadlineThe deadline for submitting your proposal was 26 February 2026 at 17h00 Brussels local time.https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/advanced-innovation-challenges-pilot_en
KindGrant funding Two-stage funding model with: Stage 1: €300,000 lump sum for up to nine months to prepare and benchmark breakthrough solutionshttps://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/advanced-innovation-challenges-pilot_en
SectorsAccelerating Physical AI: Embodied Intelligence for the Next Frontier of AI-Powered Roboticshttps://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/advanced-innovation-challenges-pilot_en
TicketStage 2: Up to €2.5 million lump sum for up to 2.5 years to further develop the most promising solutionshttps://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/advanced-innovation-challenges-pilot_en
TicketStage 2: Up to €2.5 million lump sum for up to 2.5 years to further develop the most promising solutionshttps://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/advanced-innovation-challenges-pilot_en

Status history

6 Nov 2026: Inactive → Closed, next round expected (freshness: deadline passed)
6 Nov 2026: Inactive (first extraction)

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