The European Innovation Council (EIC) Board has expressed strong support for the European Commission’s proposal to expand the EIC as part of the upcoming 10th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10)
The FP10 proposal represents one of the most ambitious efforts yet to strengthen Europe’s innovation ecosystem and enhance the continent’s global competitiveness.
With the FP10 proposal, the European Commission aims to enhance the resources and reach of the EIC, offering innovators, researchers, and start-ups increased financial support and more flexible tools. This expansion marks a significant step toward reinforcing Europe’s position as a leader in science-driven entrepreneurship and breakthrough technologies.
Budget increase and greater autonomy
As part of the FP10 proposal, there will be a substantial increase in funding for the EIC, approximately 3.5 times its current budget. This increase is expected to address the growing demand for EIC support and ensure that more high-potential innovations can scale up successfully.
The plan also grants the EIC enhanced operational autonomy, allowing it to act more independently and efficiently. This flexibility would enable the council to make faster investment decisions, better tailor its instruments to innovators’ needs, and strengthen collaboration with private and public partners.
The expansion shows the Commission’s vision of an innovation pillar centred around the EIC, a move that aligns closely with many of the EIC Board’s long-standing recommendations. By establishing a more prominent and self-contained role for the EIC, FP10 aims to streamline support for Europe’s most promising technologies and ventures.
Areas that require further clarity
While the EIC Board has broadly welcomed the FP10 proposal, it has also highlighted several areas that require additional clarification. One key point concerns the implementation of an ARPA-like approach within the EIC Challenges. This model, inspired by the U.S. Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), is designed to create bold, high-risk innovation. The Board has requested more details on how this approach will be structured and managed within the EIC framework.
Another area for further discussion involves the Transition instrument, which bridges the gap between research outcomes and commercial applications. The Board looks for more precise guidance on how this instrument will operate to ensure smooth transitions from early-stage research to market-ready innovation.
The EIC Board has also emphasised the importance of enhancing synergies with the European Research Council (ERC) and Pillar 2 of the EU research framework, which focuses on addressing global challenges and promoting industrial competitiveness. Closer cooperation among these entities would help create a more integrated and effective innovation ecosystem.
The role in defence and due-use technologies
The FP10 proposal also touches on the EIC’s potential role in supporting defence and dual-use technologies. The Board has urged further clarification on how the EIC’s involvement will be structured to align with EU principles and priorities, while ensuring responsible innovation and technology development.
The EIC Board has also emphasised the need for revenues from successful exits to flow back into the EIC Fund. This reinvestment mechanism would ensure that financial returns from successful innovations are used to support new and emerging ventures, creating a sustainable cycle of innovation financing.
