EIC Accelerator: the last 2026 cut-off for full applications is 4 November, and STEP Scale Up closes on 25 November

EIC Accelerator: the last 2026 cut-off for full applications is 4 November, and STEP Scale Up closes on 25 November

2 October 2026: The European Innovation Council's funding pages list the remaining 2026 dates for its two main instruments for start-ups and scale-ups. For a company aiming to be funded in the first half of 2027, the next five weeks matter.

Not yet independently verified. This rests on the EIC’s own pages, read on 2 October 2026. The listing does not give a time for the STEP Scale Up cut-off. No independent report was checked. We will update this when it can be confirmed, and remove this note.

EIC Accelerator

The EIC Accelerator funds start-ups and SMEs developing deep-tech innovations with a grant and, optionally, an equity investment. According to the EIC:

• Full applications are evaluated in batches. The last batch of 2026 closes on 4 November at 5pm Brussels time, with results about eight to nine weeks later.
• Short applications, the first step, are batched on the first Tuesday of each month at 5pm Brussels time. A company that has not yet passed the short-application stage cannot reach the 4 November full-application cut-off.
• The grant component is up to €2.5 million; the investment component €1 million to €10 million.
• The 2026 budget is €220 million for Accelerator Challenges and €414 million for Accelerator Open.
• Start-ups and SMEs in EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries can apply; small mid-caps with up to 499 employees can apply for investment only; companies from other countries may relocate before submitting a full application.

EIC STEP Scale Up

EIC STEP Scale Up provides equity for larger rounds, of €50 million or more, alongside committed private investors, in strategic technologies. The next cut-off is 25 November 2026.

What to do

• If you have passed the short application: plan the full application for 4 November now. It needs a business plan, financials and, for the investment component, a clear funding round.
• If you have not yet started: submit a short application by the next first-Tuesday batch (6 October or 3 November) and aim for the first 2027 full-application cut-off.
• Scale-ups raising €50 million or more: check whether STEP Scale Up fits the round and whether your lead investors will commit by 25 November.
• Non-EU software companies considering an EU base: the relocation rule makes the Accelerator part of that decision.

Sources

• European Innovation Council: EIC Accelerator (read 2 October 2026) - 2 October 2026
• European Innovation Council: EIC funding opportunities (read 2 October 2026) - 2 October 2026