Calls

EIC Accelerator (Horizon Europe)

Grants and Investment for Groundbreaking Innovations by Startups and Scale-ups

• Grant of up to €2.5 million + investment of up to €10 million (or more through STEP ScaleUP)

The EIC Accelerator supports innovative startups and SMEs with scaling ambitions through grants and investments. It focuses on groundbreaking technologies with the potential for market breakthroughs. It is open to all sectors or through targeted thematic challenges.

AMALTEA

Promoting the principles of the Green Deal through smart facade technologies for the construction sector, based on AI, data, and robotics.

• 200,000

AMALTEA aims to integrate robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and data into the construction sector to reduce energy consumption, raw material use, and waste in buildings. The project focuses on improving safety, increasing process reliability, and enhancing product quality in order to respond to the changing needs of end users and support the objectives of the Green Deal.

VInnovate Call 2026

Funding for Innovative Collaboration with European Regions

The VInnovate Call 2026 supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the eastern Netherlands that are developing innovative projects in collaboration with European partners. The program encourages cross-border collaboration in areas such as Smart Energy, Smart Production, and Smart Health, and strengthens international innovation and sustainable industry. Project Fit Form Deadline: September 10, 2026 (11:59 p.m. CET) Deadline for the full proposal: October 10, 2026 (11:59 p.m. CET) Would you like more information about this program? Please contact Ingrid Meijer at Oost NL via ingrid.meijer@oostnl.nl.

EIT Culture & Creativity – Financial Support for Startups and Scaleups

Up to €500,000 for the growth and international expansion of creative startups and scale-ups

EIT Culture & Creativity supports startups and scale-ups in their growth, investment readiness, and international expansion. The programs combine funding with coaching and venture development. The 2027 cohort focuses on innovative, scalable solutions in fashion, architecture, and audiovisual media.

EIT RawMaterials – KAVA 14 Upscaling Call

Up to €2.5 million for scaling up raw material technologies

EIT RawMaterials supports consortia in validating and scaling up raw materials technologies from TRL 5 onward. Projects combine technology development with industrial validation and commercialization and must reach at least TRL 8, with a clear European impact and a clear path to market.

HERIFORGE – 2nd Open Call

Tot €50.000 voor immersive technologies in cultureel erfgoed

HERIFORGE supports innovative projects that use immersive technologies for cultural heritage. SMEs, startups, NGOs, and individuals can develop and demonstrate technical solutions using XR and other advanced digital technologies. Selected projects receive both funding and technical mentoring.

COST Open Call 2026 – COST Actions

European Networks for International Research and Innovation Collaboration

The COST Open Call supports international research networks that contribute to the advancement of scientific, technological, economic, cultural, or societal knowledge in Europe. The program is bottom-up and open to multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary proposals. COST primarily funds collaboration and knowledge exchange within the network.

EIC STEP Scale Up Defense

Up to €30 million in equity to scale up European defense innovations

EIC STEP Scale Up Defense supports innovative SMEs and small mid-caps in the large-scale scaling up of critical defense technologies. The program provides equity funding for areas such as drones, cybersecurity, AI, electronic warfare, aerospace, and military systems, thereby strengthening the European defense industry and strategic autonomy.