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Overview

  1. Introducing
  2. What Does EIC ACCESS+ Offer?
  3. Who Can Apply?
  4. When & How to Apply?
  5. How to Apply for EIC Partners’ Services
  6. Reporting & Payments
  7. Selection Criteria Summary
  8. Resources

 

Introducing ... 

🌍 EIC ACCESS+ Your Gateway to Tailored Innovation Support

The EIC ACCESS+ programme is an initiative funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) to help EIC Awardees and Seal of Excellence holders access specialised services from top-tier providers through a co-funding mechanism. Whether you’re building your venture, accelerating your business, or securing IP protection, EIC ACCESS+ is here to back you with targeted financial support.

 

💶 What Does EIC ACCESS+ Offer?

EIC ACCESS+ provides financial grants to cover up to 50% of the cost of eligible services from the EIC Service Catalogue Partners, up to a maximum of €60,000 per beneficiary. The total available budget for this call is €3.45 million, supporting over 180 companies across Europe.

EIC Acces+ offerings snapshot

Eligible Service Packages Include:

  • 🔬 Research Package (up to €60,000)

    • Infrastructure, R&D support, prototyping, and PoC development

  • 🚀 Business Acceleration (up to €30,000)

    • Incubation, acceleration, business planning, internationalisation

  • 🧠 Skills Improvement (up to €10,000)

    • Mentoring, coaching, HR & talent services

  • 💼 Access to Funds (up to €30,000)

    • IP, legal, due diligence, and fundraising support

📌 A formal contract with the chosen service provider is required prior to applying.

👥 Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

  • EIC Pathfinder, Transition, or Accelerator Awardees
  • Horizon Europe Seal of Excellence Holders
  • Spin-offs of EIC-awarded projects (with written linkage confirmation)
  • Project partners with a role in delivering project results

👉 Example organisations: SMEs, public/private research institutions, universities.

 

🗓️ When & How to Apply?

Applications are open from November 1st, 2024 to May 31st, 2026 (or earlier if the €3.45M budget is exhausted).

⏳ First come, first served — applications are reviewed in rolling cohorts every 2 weeks and evaluated within 7 days.

 

✍️ How to Apply for EIC Partners’ Services – Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to navigate the process, from service selection to grant application:

🔎 Step 1: Browse the EIC Service Catalogue

  • Visit: partnerservices.eismea.eu

  • Click on your category: Pathfinder, Transition, Accelerator, or Seal of Excellence Holder

  • OR scroll to filter by specific service types

🧩 Step 2: Choose Your Service Provider

You can either:

  • Discuss directly with a listed service provider

  • OR request a service recommendation during the application

📝 Step 3: Submit the EIC ACCESS+ Open Call Application

  • Access the application via the EIC Community Hub or the EIC ACCESS+ website

  • Complete the Open Call form including:

    • Partner name & service type

    • Contract details & total cost

    • Declaration of honour and service justification

📂 Step 4: Upload Required Documents

Once approved, download key forms (Declaration of Honour, FSTP Agreement, etc.) from:

  • The Dataroom tab in the Community Hub

  • OR from the EIC ACCESS+ official site

Application form snapshot

 

💸 Reporting & Payments

  • Grants ≤ €10,000 → 1 single payment

  • Grants > €10,000 → 2 instalments

    • 50% pre-financing
    • 50% post-service validation

Before final payment:

  • Submit a short report describing the service delivered and its impact
  • Complete a service satisfaction questionnaire

✅ Selection Criteria Summary

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be based in the EU or an Associated Country
  • Avoid double funding for the same service cost
  • Stay within the €60,000 grant cap
  • Clearly describe expected results and impact
  • Application deadline 31 May 2026
  • Service Delivery Deadline 30 June 2026
  • Specify the connection between your project and the service
  • Identify and contract with the selected service provider.

Winnovart as a Service Delivery Partner

At Winnovart, we have recently been confirmed as a delivery partners for the EIC Access+. Our fundraising readiness and investor exposure programme has been published in the EIC Access+ service catalogue. 

More details on our full service description can be found below. 

 

Resources

📺 Watch the info session for detailed guidance, tips, and examples from past applicants.

 

At Winnovart, it is part of our mission to bridge the gap between government funding and venture capital in Europe. 

We believe government funding plays a crucial role in creating and developing ecosystems that drive innovation, foster growth, and reduce regional disparities across Europe. The synergy between government funding and private investment has consistently demonstrated positive effects on recipient companies and their ecosystems. Our goal is to help innovative companies, private investors, and funding agencies maximize the benefits of this synergy.

We provide independent funding advisory, intelligence, facilitate access to funding stakeholders and, occasionally, engage in direct investments.

For more updates on funding opportunities, please follow us on social media: Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter.

For more details about Winnovart please check our website. If you would like to be contacted by our experts please reply to
office@winnovart.com or contact us here and we will get in touch very soon.