Czechia’s SIGMA call for deep-tech startups closes on 27 October 2026, with a route into the EIC Accelerator

Czechia’s SIGMA call for deep-tech startups closes on 27 October 2026, with a route into the EIC Accelerator

9 September 2026: The Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA ČR) announced the 18th call of its SIGMA programme on 9 September 2026. It is aimed at commercialising breakthrough deep-tech solutions and at helping small enterprises and startups based in the Czech Republic that want to succeed in the European Commission's EIC Accelerator. The call period began on 10 September 2026 at 9:00 and ends on 27 October 2026.

Who can apply

The call is for small enterprises and startups based in the Czech Republic whose product or service has reached at least technology readiness level 4 (TRL 4), meaning the technology has been validated in a laboratory. Software can qualify only where it is genuinely deep tech and can show that level of proof. The agency also requires applicants to be entered in the Czech register of beneficial owners by the end of the call period, 27 October 2026.

What a proposal needs

TA ČR lists several mandatory parts, and a proposal without them will not be accepted:

• the proposal itself, prepared in English;
• a link to a video of no more than three minutes, in English and in Full HD, presenting what is unique about the project; the link must play straight away in a browser, with no login;
• proof of TRL 4, also in English, such as laboratory test reports, development logs, technical specifications or drawings.

The funded projects produce a feasibility study in English.

The route into the EIC Accelerator

The call's distinctive feature is what follows it. After an overall evaluation, successful projects become eligible for the second round of the EIC Accelerator: TA ČR submits them to the European Commission through the "Plug-in" mechanism. Applicants must say, when they submit in the agency's SISTA system, that they want this follow-up; without that statement it is not possible later.

The announcement does not state a funding ceiling or rate for this call; applicants should check the call documentation in SISTA for the amounts.

Deadlines on 27 October

• 16:29:59 is the latest time to submit a proposal through SISTA.
• Eligibility documents must be delivered by 23:59:59 the same day.

No time zone is stated; the agency is in Prague.

What to do

• Czech deep-tech startups considering the EIC Accelerator should treat SIGMA as the cheaper first step: a funded feasibility study and a Plug-in referral.
• Gather TRL 4 evidence now; it is the requirement most likely to rule a software-only product out.
• Check the beneficial-owner registration well before 27 October, and tick the Plug-in option at submission.

Sources

• Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA ČR): SIGMA programme, announcement of the 18th call for proposals, sub-objective 1, support for commercialisation of R&D&I+ - 9 September 2026