EIC Accelerator 2026 Cut-off and IHI Call 13: Funding Watch

Short answer: The final EIC Accelerator 2026 cut-off is 4 November 2026 (17:00 Brussels time), but only companies that already hold a positive ("GO") short proposal can submit a full proposal by then. IHI Call 13 stage 1 closes on 8 October 2026 with EUR 53.2 million in IHI funding across three topics, so it is a last call for consortia that are already formed. Everyone else should use October to file an EIC short proposal and line up for the next round.

This edition of the PXM non-dilutive funding watch covers the EIC Accelerator 2026 cut-off calendar, what the June 2026 results tell you about competition, the IHI Call 13 topics, and a 30-day preparation plan.

What is the EIC Accelerator 2026 cut-off schedule?

In 2026 the EIC moved to six batching dates for full proposals, up from two full application cut-offs in 2025. Full proposals are batched for evaluation at 17:00 Brussels time on each date.

The 2026 budget is EUR 414 million for EIC Accelerator Open and EUR 220 million for EIC Accelerator Challenges.

Can I still apply to the EIC Accelerator on 4 November?

Only if you already have a GO on your short proposal. The EIC FAQ is explicit: eligibility to submit a full proposal is based on the date you received a GO outcome on the short proposal.

Short proposal evaluation takes 4 to 6 weeks, and the EIC recommends submitting a short proposal at least 10 weeks before your planned full application. A short proposal filed today will not return a result in time for 4 November.

That changes the October priority for most teams:

One more rule to respect: applicants may submit up to three unsuccessful applications, at any stage (short proposal, full proposal or interview), until the end of 2027. After three rejections you are out. Do not burn an attempt on a weak short proposal.

How competitive was the last EIC Accelerator round?

The EIC announced on 15 June 2026 that 38 start-ups and SMEs were selected from the January to March 2026 cut-offs. 87 proposals reached the interview stage, so fewer than half of interviewed companies were funded.

The selected companies share an estimated EUR 292 million: EUR 90 million in grants and EUR 202 million provisioned for equity investments. 84% of beneficiaries were eligible for blended finance (grant plus equity).

For comparison, the February 2026 announcement covered 61 companies selected from 121 interviewed proposals, with EUR 467 million in total proposed funding.

The takeaway for biotech and medtech founders: the interview is a hard filter. Your jury pitch has to defend the investment case, not just the science. Expect questions on market, regulatory path, team and the next financing round.

What is IHI Call 13 and who should still submit?

IHI Call 13 is a two-stage call from the Innovative Health Initiative, the EU public-private partnership for health research. Stage 1 closes on 8 October 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time.

At stage 1, only the applicant consortium submits. Pre-identified industry partners join at stage 2, when the top-ranked applicant consortium merges with the industry consortium for the full proposal due 21 April 2027.

Legal entities in all countries associated to Horizon Europe, including Canada, Switzerland, the UK and South Korea, are eligible to receive funding.

With six days left, IHI Call 13 is realistic only if your consortium, coordinator and core concept are already in place. If not, track the next IHI calls and start building relationships with the industry partners that shape these topics.

Which program fits my company?

The two programs solve different problems.

The EIC Accelerator funds a single company (SMEs and, per the EIC FAQ, small mid-caps with up to 499 employees) that has completed at least TRL 5 activities and needs grant and equity to reach market. It is the right tool for a biotech or medtech company with a defined product and a scale-up plan.

IHI calls fund collaborative consortia working on pre-competitive challenges set with industry. They suit academic groups, SMEs with enabling platforms (AI, models, data) and incubators that want to work alongside large pharma and medtech.

Many companies should run both tracks: an EIC short proposal for the company, and IHI consortium participation where a topic matches the platform. For a wider view of EU and UK programs, see our guide to EU and UK non-dilutive funding for biotech in 2026.

How does PXM approach EU funding applications?

PXM Fund works on EU non-dilutive funding across the EIC, Horizon Europe, IHI, Eurostars and national programs. We screen opportunities with the PXM Score, the same diligence method our Scout and Transact practices use for investors and pharma partners.

That matters for the EIC in particular. The jury is assessing an investment case. A proposal built to the standard of a pharma or VC diligence review is easier to defend at interview. Learn more on our Fund practice page and our page for companies.

What should I prepare in the next 30 days?

If you are targeting IHI Call 13 (by 8 October):

• Confirm the coordinator and that every partner is registered on the Funding and Tenders Portal
• Map your concept against the topic's expected outcomes, line by line
• Submit early on 7 October; do not wait for the final hours

If you hold an EIC GO and target 4 November:

• Lock the business plan, financials and funding request (grant and equity split)
• Stress-test the regulatory and clinical path with a reviewer who has run one
• Gather letters of intent from customers, partners or co-investors
• Start interview preparation now: pitch deck, Q&A drills, team roles

If you do not yet have an EIC GO:

• Confirm eligibility: SME or small mid-cap status, TRL 5 activities completed
• Draft the short proposal and the pitch video, and submit before the next monthly batch
• Count your remaining attempts (maximum three unsuccessful applications until end of 2027)
• Build the full-proposal evidence base in parallel: market data, IP position, freedom to operate, financing plan

FAQ

When is the last EIC Accelerator 2026 cut-off?
4 November 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. It is the sixth and final full proposal batching date of 2026.

Can I submit an EIC Accelerator full proposal without a short proposal?
No. You need a GO outcome on a short proposal first. The EIC recommends filing the short proposal at least 10 weeks before your planned full proposal, as evaluation takes 4 to 6 weeks.

How much funding does the EIC Accelerator offer?
A lump-sum grant below EUR 2.5 million, plus equity investment from EUR 1 million to EUR 10 million. Most recent beneficiaries received blended finance.

Who can apply to IHI Call 13?
Consortia of legal entities, with funding open to entities in countries associated to Horizon Europe, including Canada, Switzerland, the UK and South Korea. At stage 1 only the applicant consortium submits; industry partners join at stage 2.

Check your EU funding eligibility with PXM

Not sure whether your company fits the EIC Accelerator, an IHI topic or a national program? Check your EU funding eligibility with PXM. We will tell you which route fits, and which one does not.

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