EIC Accelerator (Horizon Europe)

Closes 4 Nov 2026 European Innovation Council, European Commission European Union

Grant plus other support

Grant under €2.5 million, plus optional equity up to €10 million

Apply on the official site

What it funds: Grant, with optional equity, to scale breakthrough deep tech at TRL 6 to 8
Who can apply: Startup or SME established in an EU member state or Horizon Europe associated country
Companies from elsewhere can relocate before the full application
India only companies cannot apply
When you can apply: Closes 4 Nov 2026
How to apply: Submit a short proposal any time on the EU Funding and Tenders portal, then a full proposal by a cut off
Best for: Early revenue, Growth stage
Sectors: DeepTech
Run by: International programmes

Open now for the same stage

Oil India Start-up Scheme (SNEH)Grant up to proof of concept, set per project budget. Equity possible after that. Open all year
ONGC Start-up FundInvestment amount set per startup from a ₹100 crore fund Open all year
Social Alpha Entrepreneur in Residence Fellowship₹60,000 a month, plus a chance to pitch for up to ₹50 lakh Open all year
TCOE India: Prototyping, PoC, Validation and Pilot SupportUp to 80% of cost, max ₹50 lakh per pilot Open all year
DRDO Technology Development Fund (TDF)Projects up to ₹50 crore; TDF funds up to 90% of cost Open now
Make-I (Government Funded) under the Defence Acquisition ProcedureUp to 70% of prototype development cost, capped at ₹250 crore per development agency Open all year
James Dyson Award₹6.46 lakh (national winner) up to ₹36.5 lakh (international winner) Closed
Epic MegaGrantsUSD 5,000 to 75,000 (up to USD 150,000 for exceptional projects) Closed

DeepTech grants for startups

Starter opens 30 grants in full. Pro opens every one.