The European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition Programme is a critical component of the Horizon Europe framework, designed to bridge the gap between early-stage research and market-ready innovations. This programme specifically targets the advancement and maturation of promising technologies developed under EIC Pathfinder projects and other EU-funded research initiatives. By providing funding and support, EIC Transition helps to validate and demonstrate the viability of these technologies in real-world applications, facilitating their path to commercialization and societal impact.

Objectives of the EIC Transition Programme

The EIC Transition Programme aims to:

1. Validate Technologies: Support projects in proving the feasibility and robustness of new technologies in application-relevant environments.
2. Develop Business Plans: Assist in creating comprehensive business plans that outline the commercial potential and market strategy for the technology.
3. Reduce Market Risks: Mitigate the technical and commercial risks associated with bringing new technologies to market.
4. Foster Innovation: Encourage the development of innovative solutions that can address significant societal and economic challenges.

Eligibility Criteria

Who Can Apply?

The EIC Transition Programme is open to:

1. Single Entities: Such as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), spin-offs, startups, research organizations, and universities.
2. Consortia: Comprising a minimum of two and a maximum of five independent legal entities from different Member States or Associated Countries.

Specific Requirements

• Source of Results: Projects must build on results from EIC Pathfinder, FET (Future and Emerging Technologies) projects, or other EU-funded research initiatives.
• Stage of Development: Technologies should be at a TRL (Technology Readiness Level) between 3 and 4 at the start of the project, aiming to reach TRL 5 to 6 by the project’s end.

Funding and Support

Financial Support

The EIC Transition Programme provides substantial financial support to successful projects:

• Grant Amount: Up to EUR 2.5 million per project, although higher amounts can be requested if justified.
• Funding Rate: 100% of eligible costs, covering expenses such as personnel, equipment, consumables, and subcontracting.

Additional Support

In addition to financial support, EIC Transition offers:

• Business Acceleration Services: Tailored services including coaching, mentoring, and networking opportunities with industry leaders, investors, and ecosystem partners.
• Access to Expertise: Guidance from EIC Programme Managers and access to a pool of external experts to support the technology maturation process.

Application Process

Proposal Submission

Applicants must submit their proposals via the EU Funding and Tender Opportunities Portal. Proposals should provide detailed information on:

1. Technology and Innovation: Description of the technology, its novelty, and the specific innovation it represents.
2. Work Plan: Comprehensive plan outlining the project’s objectives, methodology, milestones, deliverables, and risk management strategies.
3. Market Potential: Analysis of the market potential, including target markets, competitive landscape, and commercialization strategy.
4. Consortium Capabilities: Evidence of the consortium’s ability to execute the project successfully, including expertise, resources, and prior experience.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals are evaluated based on three main criteria:

1. Excellence:
   • Innovation: The novelty and groundbreaking nature of the technology.
   • Scientific and Technological Merit: The soundness of the proposed methodology and technological approach.
2. Impact:
   • Market Potential: The potential for commercialization and market uptake.
   • Societal and Economic Benefits: The anticipated benefits for society and the economy.
3. Quality and Efficiency of Implementation:
   • Work Plan: The clarity, coherence, and effectiveness of the work plan.
   • Consortium Competence: The capabilities and expertise of the consortium members.

Evaluation Process

The evaluation process involves multiple stages:

1. Remote Evaluation: Proposals are first evaluated remotely by independent experts based on the above criteria.
2. Consensus Meetings: Evaluators discuss and agree on the scores and comments for each proposal.
3. Interviews: Top-ranked proposals may be invited for an interview with an evaluation jury, including experts and potential investors.

Key Benefits of EIC Transition

Bridging the Valley of Death

The EIC Transition Programme addresses the so-called “valley of death,” the critical phase where many promising technologies fail to reach commercialization due to lack of funding and support. By providing financial resources and expert guidance, EIC Transition helps projects overcome this hurdle and move closer to market readiness.

Accelerating Innovation

By focusing on both technological validation and business development, EIC Transition accelerates the innovation process. This dual approach ensures that projects are not only technically feasible but also commercially viable, increasing their chances of success in the market.

Strengthening European Competitiveness

EIC Transition plays a vital role in enhancing the competitiveness of European technologies and companies on the global stage. By supporting high-potential innovations, the programme contributes to the development of cutting-edge solutions that can address global challenges and drive economic growth.

Success Stories

Several projects funded under the EIC Transition Programme have made significant strides towards commercialization. Notable examples include:

1. Project A: A groundbreaking technology for sustainable energy storage, which successfully validated its prototype and attracted significant investment for further development.
2. Project B: An innovative medical device that improved patient outcomes and secured partnerships with leading healthcare providers for market entry.
3. Project C: A novel material with superior properties for industrial applications, which demonstrated its feasibility and scalability, leading to commercial agreements with major industry players.

Conclusion

The EIC Transition Programme is a pivotal initiative designed to support the maturation and commercialization of breakthrough technologies. By providing substantial funding, expert guidance, and business support, the programme helps to bridge the gap between research and market, ensuring that high-potential innovations can make a tangible impact on society and the economy. Researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs are encouraged to leverage this opportunity to bring their technologies to market and contribute to the advancement of European innovation.

Navigating the EIC Transition Evaluation Criteria: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

The European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition Programme is designed to help promising technologies transition from early-stage research to market-ready innovations. A critical aspect of the EIC Transition Programme is the evaluation process, which rigorously assesses proposals to ensure that only the most promising and impactful projects receive funding. Understanding the evaluation criteria is essential for applicants to align their proposals effectively and maximize their chances of success. This article provides a detailed overview of the EIC Transition evaluation criteria, offering insights into what evaluators look for in proposals and how applicants can best meet these expectations.

Overview of the Evaluation Process

The evaluation process for EIC Transition proposals involves multiple stages, each designed to assess different aspects of the proposed project. Proposals are evaluated by independent experts based on three main criteria: Excellence, Impact, and Quality and Efficiency of Implementation. Each criterion is further divided into specific sub-criteria to provide a structured framework for evaluation.

Stages of Evaluation

1. Remote Evaluation: Proposals are initially reviewed and scored individually by independent expert evaluators.
2. Consensus Meetings: Evaluators discuss their individual assessments to reach a consensus on scores and comments for each proposal.
3. Interviews: Top-ranked proposals may be invited for an interview with an evaluation jury, including experts and potential investors, to further assess the project’s potential.

Detailed Evaluation Criteria

1. Excellence

The Excellence criterion assesses the scientific and technological quality of the proposal. It evaluates the novelty, feasibility, and innovation potential of the proposed technology.

Sub-criteria:

• Innovation Potential:
  • Key Question: How innovative and groundbreaking is the proposed technology?
  • Expectation: Proposals should present a novel technology that has the potential to significantly advance the state of the art and offer unique advantages over existing solutions.
• Scientific and Technological Merit:
  • Key Question: How sound is the proposed methodology and technological approach?
  • Expectation: The proposal should outline a robust scientific and technical approach, supported by preliminary data and a clear understanding of the underlying principles. The methodology should be well-defined and feasible.
• Feasibility and Risk Management:
  • Key Question: How feasible is the proposed project, and how well are potential risks identified and mitigated?
  • Expectation: The proposal should provide a detailed plan for the development and validation of the technology, including realistic timelines, milestones, and deliverables. Potential risks should be clearly identified, along with appropriate mitigation strategies.

2. Impact

The Impact criterion evaluates the potential of the proposed technology to generate significant economic, societal, and environmental benefits. It also assesses the project’s potential for market uptake and commercialization.

Sub-criteria:

• Market Potential and Commercial Strategy:
  • Key Question: What is the market potential of the proposed technology, and how well-defined is the commercialization strategy?
  • Expectation: Proposals should include a comprehensive market analysis, identifying target markets, customer segments, and competitive landscape. The commercialization strategy should be clear, with a detailed plan for market entry, business development, and scaling.
• Societal and Economic Benefits:
  • Key Question: What are the anticipated societal and economic impacts of the technology?
  • Expectation: The proposal should articulate the broader benefits of the technology, such as job creation, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and improvements in quality of life. The project should align with relevant societal challenges and EU priorities.
• Dissemination and Exploitation:
  • Key Question: How effective are the proposed measures for disseminating and exploiting the project results?
  • Expectation: The proposal should outline a clear plan for disseminating the project outcomes to relevant stakeholders, including scientific publications, industry partnerships, and public outreach. Exploitation measures should focus on protecting intellectual property and enabling commercialization.

3. Quality and Efficiency of Implementation

This criterion assesses the feasibility of the project plan and the ability of the consortium to deliver the proposed research. It evaluates the overall coherence and effectiveness of the work plan, the allocation of resources, and the competence of the project team.

Sub-criteria:

• Work Plan and Structure:
  • Key Question: How coherent and effective are the work plan and risk mitigation measures?
  • Expectation: The work plan should be detailed and well-structured, with clearly defined tasks, deliverables, milestones, and timelines. The proposal should include risk management strategies and contingency plans to address potential challenges.
• Allocation of Resources:
  • Key Question: How appropriate and effective is the allocation of resources?
  • Expectation: Resources, including budget and personnel, should be appropriately allocated to ensure the project’s success. The proposal should justify the requested budget and demonstrate that the allocated resources are sufficient and well-distributed across the project tasks.
• Quality of the Consortium:
  • Key Question: To what extent does the consortium have the necessary capacity and expertise?
  • Expectation: The consortium should consist of high-quality, complementary partners with proven expertise and capabilities to carry out the proposed research. The roles and responsibilities of each consortium member should be clearly defined, and the consortium should demonstrate a strong track record of successful collaboration.

Scoring and Thresholds

Each sub-criterion is scored on a scale from 0 to 5:

• 0: The proposal fails to address the criterion or cannot be assessed due to missing or incomplete information.
• 1 (Poor): The criterion is inadequately addressed, or there are serious inherent weaknesses.
• 2 (Fair): The proposal broadly addresses the criterion, but there are significant weaknesses.
• 3 (Good): The proposal addresses the criterion well, but there are a number of shortcomings.
• 4 (Very Good): The proposal addresses the criterion very well, but a small number of shortcomings are present.
• 5 (Excellent): The proposal successfully addresses all relevant aspects of the criterion. Any shortcomings are minor.

Thresholds

To be considered for funding, proposals must meet or exceed the following thresholds:

• Excellence: Minimum threshold of 4/5
• Impact: Minimum threshold of 3.5/5
• Quality and Efficiency of Implementation: Minimum threshold of 3/5

Tips for Applicants

1. Clarity and Vision: Clearly articulate the technology’s innovation potential and long-term vision. Explain how your project represents a significant advancement in the field.
2. Detailed Methodology: Provide a robust and well-defined scientific and technical approach. Include preliminary data to support the feasibility of your technology.
3. Market Strategy: Develop a comprehensive market analysis and commercialization strategy. Identify target markets, potential customers, and competitive advantages.
4. Impact Articulation: Clearly describe the societal and economic benefits of your technology. Highlight how it addresses relevant societal challenges and aligns with EU priorities.
5. Structured Work Plan: Ensure your work plan is detailed and well-structured. Define clear tasks, deliverables, milestones, and timelines, and include risk management strategies.
6. Resource Justification: Justify the allocation of resources and ensure they are sufficient and well-distributed. Demonstrate that the budget and personnel are appropriate for the project.
7. Consortium Quality: Assemble a consortium with complementary expertise and a strong track record. Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each member.

Conclusion

The EIC Transition Programme’s evaluation criteria are designed to identify projects with the highest potential for groundbreaking innovation and significant impact. By understanding and aligning with these criteria, applicants can enhance their proposals and increase their chances of securing funding. The EIC Transition Programme offers a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between research and market, driving technological and societal progress for the benefit of Europe and beyond.

EIC Transition Programme: TRL Expectations from Start to End

Introduction

The European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition Programme is designed to support the maturation and commercialization of promising technologies initially developed under EIC Pathfinder projects and other EU-funded research initiatives. One critical aspect of the EIC Transition Programme is the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework, which helps gauge the maturity of technologies throughout the project’s lifecycle. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the TRL expectations for projects under the EIC Transition Programme, outlining the starting and ending TRLs and the milestones that projects are expected to achieve.

Understanding Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs)

Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are a scale used to assess the maturity of a technology. The TRL scale ranges from 1 to 9, where TRL 1 represents the basic principles observed and TRL 9 signifies a technology that has been fully demonstrated in an operational environment. The EIC Transition Programme focuses on advancing technologies from the experimental proof-of-concept stage (TRL 3-4) to a stage where they are closer to market readiness (TRL 5-6).

TRL Scale Overview

1. TRL 1: Basic principles observed
2. TRL 2: Technology concept formulated
3. TRL 3: Experimental proof of concept
4. TRL 4: Technology validated in lab
5. TRL 5: Technology validated in relevant environment
6. TRL 6: Technology demonstrated in relevant environment
7. TRL 7: System prototype demonstration in operational environment
8. TRL 8: System complete and qualified
9. TRL 9: Actual system proven in operational environment

TRL Expectations for EIC Transition

The EIC Transition Programme aims to support projects starting from a TRL of 3 or 4 and advancing them to TRL 5 or 6 by the end of the project. Here’s a detailed look at what these TRL stages entail and the specific expectations at each stage.

Starting TRLs: TRL 3-4

TRL 3: Experimental Proof of Concept

At the beginning of the EIC Transition project, technologies should have achieved an experimental proof of concept. This means that the basic technological principles have been observed and validated through initial experiments. The proof of concept should demonstrate that the technology is feasible and has the potential to meet the desired objectives.

• Expectations:
  • Preliminary experimental data supporting the feasibility of the technology.
  • Initial prototypes or models demonstrating the core functionality of the technology.
  • Identification of key technical challenges and potential solutions.

TRL 4: Technology Validated in Lab

For technologies starting at TRL 4, they should have undergone more rigorous testing and validation in a controlled laboratory environment. The focus at this stage is to ensure that the technology can perform reliably under lab conditions.

• Expectations:
  • Comprehensive experimental results demonstrating the technology’s functionality and performance.
  • Development and refinement of prototypes or models.
  • Identification and initial mitigation of technical risks.

Ending TRLs: TRL 5-6

TRL 5: Technology Validated in Relevant Environment

By the end of the EIC Transition project, technologies should aim to reach TRL 5. This involves validating the technology in an environment that closely resembles real-world conditions. The technology should be tested to ensure it can operate effectively outside of a laboratory setting.

• Expectations:
  • Demonstration of the technology in a relevant environment, such as a pilot plant, industrial setting, or simulated real-world conditions.
  • Collection of data on the technology’s performance, reliability, and scalability.
  • Refinement of prototypes to address any issues identified during validation.

TRL 6: Technology Demonstrated in Relevant Environment

Achieving TRL 6 means that the technology has been demonstrated to work in a relevant environment, showing that it can meet the operational requirements expected in a real-world application. This stage involves more extensive testing and validation to ensure the technology’s readiness for commercialization.

• Expectations:
  • Full-scale prototypes or systems demonstrated in relevant environments, showing operational functionality and reliability.
  • Detailed performance data and analysis to support the technology’s viability.
  • Finalization of technical designs and preparation for scaling up production or deployment.

Key Milestones and Activities

To move from TRL 3-4 to TRL 5-6, projects typically need to achieve several key milestones and undertake specific activities. These include:

1. Prototype Development and Testing:
   • Develop and refine prototypes that incorporate the core technological innovations.
   • Conduct iterative testing and validation to improve performance and address technical challenges.
2. Risk Management:
   • Identify and assess technical, commercial, and operational risks.
   • Implement mitigation strategies to address potential barriers to progress.
3. Market and Commercialization Strategy:
   • Conduct market analysis to identify target customers, market needs, and competitive landscape.
   • Develop a business model and commercialization strategy, including plans for scaling up production and market entry.
4. Stakeholder Engagement:
   • Engage with potential end-users, industry partners, and investors to gather feedback and build support for the technology.
   • Establish partnerships or collaborations that can facilitate the technology’s transition to market.
5. Regulatory and Compliance Considerations:
   • Identify relevant regulatory requirements and standards that the technology must meet.
   • Ensure compliance with necessary regulations and prepare for certification or approval processes.

Conclusion

The EIC Transition Programme plays a vital role in advancing promising technologies from the experimental proof-of-concept stage (TRL 3-4) to validation and demonstration in relevant environments (TRL 5-6). By understanding the TRL expectations and focusing on key milestones, applicants can align their projects to meet these requirements and enhance their chances of success. The EIC Transition Programme provides essential support to bridge the gap between research and commercialization, driving technological innovation and delivering impactful solutions to market.

About

The articles found on Rasph.com reflect the opinions of Rasph or its respective authors and in no way reflect opinions held by the European Commission (EC) or the European Innovation Council (EIC). The provided information aims to share perspectives that are valuable and can potentially inform applicants regarding grant funding schemes such as the EIC Accelerator, EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition or related programs such as Innovate UK in the United Kingdom or the Small Business Innovation and Research grant (SBIR) in the United States.

The articles can also be a useful resource for other consultancies in the grant space as well as professional grant writers who are hired as freelancers or are part of a Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME). The EIC Accelerator is part of Horizon Europe (2021-2027) which has recently replaced the previous framework program Horizon 2020.

This article was written by ChatEIC. ChatEIC is an EIC Accelerator assistant that can advise on the writing of proposals, discuss current trends and create insightful articles on a variety of topics. The articles written by ChatEIC can contain inaccurate or outdated information.

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