In this post, we’ll walk you through the most important funding mechanisms available in the  European Innovation Ecosystem , plus some tips on how to navigate them smartly. 

Horizon Europe: The Flagship Program 

Horizon Europe (2021–2027) is the EU’s main funding programme for research and innovation, with a massive budget of over  €95 billion . 

Key Pillars: 

• Excellent Science – Grants for researchers and infrastructure (ERC, Marie Curie). 
  
   
• Global Challenges & Industrial Competitiveness – Focused on health, digital, climate, energy, and mobility. 
  
   
• Innovative Europe – Boosting disruptive startups via the  European Innovation Council (EIC) . 
  
   

The European Innovation Council (EIC) 

The  EIC is the dream platform for deep tech and high-impact startups. It offers  equity-free grants ,  blended finance , and  investments up to €15 million . 

Main Funding Instruments: 

1. EIC Pathfinder – Early-stage research on breakthrough tech (€3–4M grants). 
   
    
2. EIC Transition – From lab to market (€2.5M grants). 
   
    
3. EIC Accelerator – Scale-up support for startups and SMEs: 
   
    
   • Up to €2.5M in  grant funding 
     
      
   • Up to €15M in  equity investment 
     
      

If your tech is risky, disruptive, and market-creating,  this is your playground . 

Eurostars: For International R&D Projects 

Co-funded by the EU and national bodies,  Eurostars supports R&D-performing SMEs collaborating across borders. 

• Project budget: ~€1–2M 
  
   
• Focus: Market-driven innovation 
  
   
• Partnerships required: At least two different countries 
  
   
• Great for: Life sciences, medtech, digital, and cleantech 
  
   

EIT: European Institute of Innovation & Technology 

The  EIT runs Knowledge & Innovation Communities ( KICs ) around themes like: 

• Health 
  
   
• Climate 
  
   
• Food 
  
   
• Digital 
  
   
• Raw Materials 
  
   
• Manufacturing 
  
   

They offer: 

• Equity-free funding 
  
   
• Startup support and acceleration 
  
   
• Corporate connections 
  
   
• Thematic bootcamps and venture programs 
  
   

Perfect if you want  mentorship + funding + market access under one roof. 

National & Regional Innovation Funds 

Many EU countries also have their own funds co-financed by the EU. Some great examples include: 

• Portugal 2030 (Fundo de Inovação) 
  
   
• France’s Bpifrance 
  
   
• Germany’s High-Tech Gründerfonds 
  
   
• Startup Hungary ,  Poland's NCBR , etc. 
  
   

You can often  combine local grants with EU-level support like Eurostars or Horizon. 

Other Useful Programs and Calls 

• InnoBuyer : For startups co-creating solutions with public buyers 
  
   
• InnoMatch : R&D support to solve industry problems 
  
   
• NGI (Next Generation Internet) : Grants for open-source and digital sovereignty 
  
   
• Cascade Funding : Smaller, fast grants (usually €20–€150K) distributed through EU-funded projects 
  
   

Most of these have rolling calls or specific deadlines announced throughout the year. 

Tips for Applying 

1. Find the right fit – Not all grants are for you. Read the scope and objectives carefully. 
   
    
2. Start early – Proposal writing takes time. Build your consortium and budget weeks in advance. 
   
    
3. Partner up – Collaborating with academia, SMEs, and corporates increases your chances. 
   
    
4. Think impact – EU evaluators love seeing how your innovation helps society, economy, and environment. 
   
    
5. Use NCPs and consultants – National Contact Points (NCPs) offer free guidance. Professional grant writers can also help polish your application. 
   
    

Where to Start Your Search 

Here are a few key platforms to keep bookmarked: 

• Funding & Tenders Portal – EU’s official site 
  
   
• EIC Accelerator Platform 
  
   
• Eurostars 
  
   
• CORDIS – Database of past and active projects 
  
   
• Startup Europe 
  
   

Final Thoughts 

The European Innovation Ecosystem offers  massive support for bold ideas — but success depends on your ability to align with the EU’s goals: impact, inclusivity, digital and green transitions, and cross-border collaboration. 

If your startup is solving real problems with technology, there’s money — and mentorship — on the table for you.