EIC AIC Accelerates Europe’s
Most Ambitious Deep-Tech Breakthroughs

This challenge targets disruptive innovations in robotics and embodied AI. It is aimed at teams developing autonomous systems capable of perceiving, learning, and acting in complex and unpredictable real-world environments.

Applications range from disaster response and civil security to autonomous scientific laboratories and next-generation personal or professional robotic assistants. The challenge places particular emphasis on breakthroughs in perception, adaptive learning, autonomous decision-making, human-AI interaction, and advanced physical integration.

This challenge supports innovators working on advanced, human-relevant testing methods that can replace or reduce animal use in biomedical research, medical product testing, and safety assessment.

Examples include organ-on-chip platforms, human organoids, microphysiological systems, digital twins, and AI-based predictive models. A major objective is to generate trust, scalability, and regulatory-grade evidence so these solutions can enter industrial and clinical practice.

Stage 1 provides a €300,000 lump sum for up to nine months to refine TRL 4 prototypes, benchmark performance, engage end-users and produce the evidence needed for a competitive Stage 2 application. Proposals are short (11 pages for sections 1–3) to focus on the technical idea, its breakthrough potential and the implementation plan. 

Evaluation happens in two steps: Three independent external experts score submissions remotely, followed by a portfolio selection by the EIC Programme Manager and a small evaluation committee. Awarded projects must start by 1 October 2026, ensuring fast decision-making and high-quality portfolio of funded projects.

Stage 2 offers up to €2.5 million over up to 2.5 years for those Stage 1 projects that demonstrate strong feasibility, user commitment and market potential.

Stage 2 focuses on pilot deployments, repeated user testing loops, regulatory readiness, and a clear commercialisation roadmap; it also allows small consortia when multi-partner implementation is needed. Both stages are fully grant-funded and beneficiaries gain access to EIC Business Acceleration Services and portfolio-level guidance.

Both stages are funded at 100% grant, and beneficiaries benefit from EIC Business Acceleration Services, strategic portfolio guidance, networking, and access to EU testing infrastructures.

The EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges Pilot is designed for organisations that already have a validated TRL 4 prototype and a clear ambition to create new markets or significantly reshape existing ones through disruptive innovation.

It is particularly suitable for teams that have already involved potential end-users, industry partners, or regulatory stakeholders, and that have access to appropriate testing or validation facilities.

Deep-tech companies and research groups are often strong candidates, as they typically combine advanced technical expertise with access to mature innovation ecosystems and active collaboration with industrial stakeholders.