EIC Board backs 2026 work programme to drive Europe’s deep tech future

The European Innovation Council (EIC) Board has announced that the 2026 Work Programme (WP26) is a key step in advancing Europe’s deep-tech ambitions and strengthening its position as a global leader in innovation

The WP26 is seen as a bridge between current achievements and the next EU Framework Programme. The new plan focuses on mission-driven innovation, ecosystem integration, and support for high-impact technologies that reinforce Europe’s strategic autonomy.

Deep tech and scale-up ambitions

The WP26 aims to connect research breakthroughs with market-ready solutions, enabling Europe to scale up technologies that address global challenges. The WP26 works closely with the EU’s Startup and Scale-up Strategy, the new Multiannual Financial Framework, and the recommendations outlined in the Draghi report.

At the centre of WP26 are the new Advanced Innovation Challenges, a pilot initiative inspired by the ARPA model. These high-risk, high-impact projects will follow a two-stage, demand-driven approach designed to deliver mission-oriented innovation with a strong focus on end users. This marks a significant shift toward outcome-based funding, positioning the EIC as a global leader in deep-tech investment.

Support for innovators

One of the most significant improvements in the 2026 programme is the simplification of the EIC Accelerator. The Board commended efforts to streamline the application process, introduce reusable proposals, and expedite evaluations through qualified technical due diligence by deep-tech experts.

These changes aim to make the innovator’s journey smoother and more predictable, while maintaining rigorous standards of excellence and impact.

In addition, the relaunch of the Plug-In scheme will allow Member States and Associated Countries to pre-select promising startups and send them directly to the complete Accelerator application stage. This step is expected to enhance integration across national and European innovation ecosystems.

Expanding opportunities across programmes

WP26 expands eligibility for EIC Transition funding to encompass research results from Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 Research Infrastructures, therefor strengthening the pipeline between early-stage research and commercialisation.

The Pathfinder programme will also place greater emphasis on market potential, funding projects that combine scientific excellence with real-world impact.

Refinements to the STEP Scale-up call will further support high-growth companies, simplifying criteria and improving alignment with the Accelerator. Although a permanent scale-up fund is not yet in place, the proposed Scale-up Europe Fund under the “Choose Europe to start and scale” strategy is seen as a positive step forward.

A stronger and more inclusive ecosystem

WP26 introduces several initiatives to strengthen Europe’s innovation environment. The creation of a Trusted Corporate Network (TCN) will deepen cooperation between startups and large industries, fostering advanced procurement opportunities in sectors such as health, climate, digital, and space.

Diversity and internationalisation are also significant factors. A new Gender and Diversity Innovation Index will track participation across the innovation landscape. At the same time, additional funding for international activities will help European innovators expand globally and reinforce fair-trade cooperation.

The EIC Board views the 2026 Work Programme as a pivotal moment in the EIC’s evolution toward a mature, mission-driven institution. It recommends empowering Programme Managers with more autonomy, exploring tools such as Advanced Purchase Agreements to accelerate commercialisation, and conducting regular evaluations to assess the impact of Business Acceleration Services.