What is the EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges?
A pilot funding programme supporting high-risk, demand-driven deep tech innovations with transformative potential. Focuses on staged funding and early involvement of users to accelerate market uptake.
This pilot includes two specific challenges:
- Accelerating Physical AI – developing breakthrough AI-powered robots and systems that can perceive, act, and interact autonomously in complex environments.
- Translating Disruptive New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) – accelerating adoption of innovative, animal-free biomedical testing methods for safety, efficacy, and quality of medicinal products.
Who can apply?
- Stage 1 (2026) – Any entity (SME, Academia etc) with a prototype (TRL ≥ 4) and initial interest from end-users
- Stage 2 (2027) – Only Stage 1 winners: single entity or small consortium (2–3 partners)
Funding and support
- Stage 1: €300,000 for validation (up to 9 months)
- Stage 2: Up to €2.5 million for development and testing (up to 2.5 years)
- Covering 100% of the expenses (+25% overhead)
- Access to tailored Business Acceleration Services (BAS): tailored support to accelerate growth, including mentoring, coaching, market insights, investor matchmaking, and strategic guidance to scale your innovation across Europe.
How to apply?
Step 1 – Stage 1 Proposal
Deadline: 26 February 2026, 17:00 Brussels time
- Proposal (max 11 pages) + cover page
- Participation in a User Workshop – a session with experts, stakeholders, and other applicants to: Get feedback on your prototype and use case, Identify potential gaps or risks and Encourage collaboration and learning across teams
Evaluation: GO/NO GO feedback within 6–8 weeks by at least 3 independent evaluators
Step 2 – Stage 2 Proposal
Deadline: 18 June 2027
Only Stage 1 winners, single entity or small consortium (2–3 partners) can apply
- Max 22 page proposal
- Live pitch virtual or in-person presenting stage 1 results and stage 2 plan
Evaluation: Feedback within ~6 weeks from independent expert jury + EIC Programme Manager
Challenges for 2026
1. Accelerating Physical AI: Embodied Intelligence for the Next Frontier of Robotics
This Challenge seeks disruptive Physical AI solutions that enable machines to perceive, act, and interact autonomously in complex, real-world environments.
The EU is seeking proposals demonstrating at least two of the following capabilities:
- Perception and cognition (sensing, reasoning abilities)
- Adaptable learning and optimisation
- Autonomous decision making
- Human-AI collaboration
- Physical integration (sensors, materials)
In one of these application areas:
- Civil security
- Autonomous labs
- Personal or professional robot assistants
2.Accelerating Adoption of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in Biomedicine
This Challenge supports the development and adoption of innovative, animal-free NAMs for biomedical research and testing of medicinal products or medical technologies. Proposed solutions should already be viable at TRL 4 and address one or both areas:
- Preclinical biomedical research
- Safety, efficacy, and quality testing of medicinal products
In-scope technologies include human organoids, organ-on-chip, digital twins, AI-based predictive models, in silico platforms, and advanced 3D tissue models.
** Applicants must carefully and thoroughly read the full texts of the calls, as all essential information and requirements are included there.