How to position a strong EIC Transition proposal

25th March 2026 at 11:20 am

The European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition instrument holds a critical position within the EIC Work Programme. Designed for projects that have already demonstrated scientific feasibility but are not yet ready for market deployment, this funding instrument helps bridge the gap between research results and real-world application. However, this intermediate stage is often challenging to navigate. Many research teams either remain too focused on scientific questions or move too quickly towards commercialisation without sufficient validation. As a result, many strong ideas fall short not because of weak science, but because they are not framed as a credible next step towards application. In this blog, we explore what the EIC is really looking for in a Transition proposal and how to position your project to meet these expectations before the 16 September 2026 deadline.

What the EIC is really looking for

EIC Transition is a strong fit if you already have a promising research result with clear potential beyond the lab. This could be an outcome from a previous EU-funded project that shows real promise for a future product, service or business. The key question is whether your idea is ready to take the next step: not basic research anymore, but not yet full commercialisation either.

At this stage, your technology should have moved beyond early proof of principle and be ready for further development and validation in a more realistic setting. This often means building prototypes, testing with users or refining the concept for specific applications. At the same time, you should have started to explore where your innovation could fit in the market. This does not require a full business plan yet, but a first understanding of potential customers, competitors and use cases is essential. In practice, EIC Transition supports projects that aim to advance technologies from early laboratory validation (around TRL 3) towards demonstration in relevant environments (TRL 5 or 6), while developing a credible path towards commercialisation. This means working in parallel on both the technology and the market side, using feedback from potential users to shape the final application.

Who should apply for an EIC Transition?

Beyond your idea being a good fit in the TRL-scale, the EIC Transition is open only for consortia preparing proposals based on results generated by following EU-funded projects:

• EIC Pathfinder and FET projects
• ERC Proof of concept
• Horizon Europe / H2020 pillar II 
• Research Infrastructures

Additionally, projects must have not started less than 18 (6 for PoC) months ago and finished not more than 24 months ago. A list is provided on the EIC Transition webpage a few months in advance of the call deadline.

The EIC Transition is about making existing results usable. The starting point is therefore not an idea, but a validated outcome. Evaluators expect to see clear evidence that the underlying research has already reached a level where further investment can meaningfully reduce uncertainty. From there, the proposal must demonstrate a convincing development logic. This is where many applications fall short. The strongest proposals do not try to cover everything. Instead, they focus on the few critical steps that are necessary to move from proof of concept towards application. This includes technical validation, but also a first understanding of where and how the innovation could be used. Equally important is the perspective beyond the project. Evaluators want to understand what the project enables: whether it creates the basis for a spin-off, prepares the ground for private investment, or feeds into a broader value chain.

How proposals are evaluated

In the EIC Transition, reviewers are not looking for scientific novelty alone. Proposals that are still too exploratory or that promise market impact without sufficient validation tend to lack credibility. The most competitive submissions are those that clearly sit in between. They acknowledge remaining uncertainties and define precisely how these will be addressed. Another common weakness is a lack of focus. When proposals try to address too many objectives, they dilute their impact. In contrast, strong proposals are selective: they identify the core bottlenecks and build a coherent plan around them. Reviewers are also very attentive to the budget planning: ensure that lump sum amounts are well justified and coherent with the work plan.

Recent results confirm that EIC Transition is attracting increasing attention. The 2025 call saw a record number of submissions, signalling that more research teams are recognising the importance of this stage. At the same time, only a limited number of projects are funded, with around 40 projects selected in the most recent results. This growing gap between demand and available funding reinforces a simple point: success in EIC Transition is not about having a good idea. It is about demonstrating that the project is the right next step at the right moment.

Why EIC Transition is an opportunity worth taking

For many researchers, EIC Transition represents a turning point. It allows them to move beyond scientific results without immediately committing to full commercialisation. Instead, it provides a structured environment to test assumptions, validate applications and build the foundations for future impact. This makes it particularly valuable for teams that are not yet ready for the Accelerator, but already have results that deserve to go further.

Ready to embark on this adventure? Reach out today to see how we can support you

If you are working with strong results and are considering how to take them beyond the lab, EIC Transition is an opportunity that should not be overlooked. The key is not only to demonstrate excellence, but to position your project as a clear and credible next step. At accelopment, we support research teams in shaping this transition. From assessing whether your results are ready to structuring a focused development pathway and aligning with evaluator expectations, we help ensure that strong ideas are also convincingly positioned. If you would like to explore whether your project fits the EIC Transition and how to maximise its chances of success, we would be glad to discuss this with you.

Nothing suitable in EIC?

Not every strong innovation idea will be a perfect match for the EIC instruments, especially given their high selectivity and specific expectations. This does not mean that funding options are exhausted. On the contrary, there are many alternative opportunities across Horizon Europe that may be better suited to your innovation’s maturity and objectives. Through our strategic grant planning, we help research teams navigate the funding landscape and decide where to focus their efforts. Through this service, we help position your project where it has the strongest chance of success and design a funding pathway that supports long-term development rather than a single call.

Andreia Cruz
Research & Innovation Project Manager

Dr. Eva Avilla Royo
Research & Innovation Project Manager