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Programme reference

EIC Work Programme 2026 — What Changes, What Stays.

The 2026 EIC Work Programme codifies the most significant structural shift since the EIC's launch: continuous applications, six annual evaluation batches, a new technology expert step and the Dual-Use opening for strategic technologies.

Section 01

Continuous Short Proposal intake

Short Proposals can be submitted at any time, removing the historic single-annual-deadline pressure and letting companies submit when genuinely ready.

Section 02

Six annual Full Proposal evaluation batches

Indicative 2026 batches: January, March, May, July, September, November. The cadence makes planning across funding rounds and product milestones far more deterministic.

Section 03

Technology expert due diligence

A dedicated technology evaluation step adds independent assessment of innovation, IP and feasibility — increasing the weight of substance in the overall score.

Section 04

Shorter Full Proposal documentation

Reduced documentation requirements shift the focus from page count to the clarity and credibility of the underlying case.

Section 05

Defence and Dual-Use opening

Dedicated EIC instruments for Dual-Use technologies enable strategic European innovations to access EIC funding, subject to the applicable programme rules.

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