Access European Innovation Funding
Non-dilutive funding for cutting-edge R&D. Inspiralia guides you from strategy to submission across leading European and Swiss programs.
Services
Access European Innovation Funding
Non-dilutive funding for cutting-edge R&D. Inspiralia guides you from strategy to submission across leading European and Swiss programs.
Academic & Research Institutions
We support research teams in turning scientific excellence into real-world impact. From proposal development to project management, we help secure the right funding for your research goals.
Explore bold ideas with breakthrough potential
The EIC Pathfinder funds visionary research projects at the earliest stages of technology development. It’s ideal for researchers and innovators working on radically new concepts with the potential to shape future markets.
Funding available: Up to €3 million per project
Who can apply:
Consortia of at least 3 legal entities from different EU/associated countries
Individual entities in specific challenge calls
Startups and SMEs may apply as part of consortia or spin-offs
What’s funded: Early-stage, high-risk science and technology (TRL 1–4)
Next deadlines:
Open call:
21 May 2025Challenge call: 29 October 2025
Bridge research and commercial success
EIC Transition supports innovators aiming to move from proof-of-concept to validated technology and business readiness. It’s designed for those turning promising research into market-ready applications.
Funding available: Up to €2.5 million in non-dilutive funding
Who can apply:
Single entities (SMEs, research groups, startups)
Consortia of up to 5 partners
Startups and spin-offs from Pathfinder or ERC PoC projects
What’s funded: Prototyping, validation, business case development
Next deadline:
17 September 2025
Collaborate on high-impact projects addressing Europe’s biggest challenges.
Horizon Europe supports mission-driven research and innovation through RIAs (Research and Innovation Actions) and IAs (Innovation Actions)—funding international partnerships aligned with EU policy goals.
Who can apply:
Universities, RTOs, SMEs, startups, corporates, NGOs
Typically, a minimum of 3 partners from 3 EU or associated countries
Funding available:
RIA: 100% of eligible costs
IA: 70% for businesses (100% for non-profits)
Focus areas:
Climate, health, mobility, digital, energy, food systems, security
Deadlines:
Vary by call—check Funding & Tenders Portal
Startups & SMEs
We help startups and SMEs access public funding to develop, validate, and bring innovative technologies to market, backed by tailored strategic and technical support.
Get investment-ready with early-stage support
The EIC Pre-Accelerator is tailored to startups and SMEs from Widening countries that need business and investor readiness training before applying to the EIC Accelerator or raising private capital.
Funding available: €300,000–€500,000 (70% funded by the EU)
Who can apply:
SMEs established in Widening countries
Startups in deep-tech or science-based fields
What’s funded: Technology readiness improvement, market validation, investment preparation
Deadline: November 18, 2025
Fast-track your innovation to market with funding and investment
The EIC Accelerator supports innovative SMEs and startups developing high-impact, market-ready technologies. It’s ideal for companies looking to scale fast, disrupt industries, and bring cutting-edge products to global markets.
Funding available: Up to €2.5 million in grants and up to €10 million in equity
Who can apply: For-profit SMEs and startups from the EU and associated countries
Key benefits:
Blended finance (grant + optional equity)
Access to EIC Business Acceleration Services
High visibility and credibility with investors
Deadlines:
Short applications: Open continuously
Full application cut-offs:
12 March 2025and 1 October 2025
Scale strategic technologies with major investment
EIC STEP Scale-Up is designed for deep-tech companies developing technologies of strategic importance to Europe. It offers significant investment to help scale globally in areas like clean tech, biotech, quantum, and AI.
Funding available: Between €10 million and €30 million in equity
Who can apply:
Startups, SMEs, and small mid-caps (up to 499 employees)
EU-based or associated country companies with strong growth potential
What’s funded: Industrial-scale deployment and international expansion
Deadlines:
Applications: Open continuously
Evaluations: Conducted quarterly throughout 2025
Fuel early-stage growth for Swiss science-based startups
This Innosuisse program helps Swiss startups accelerate product development and market readiness. It’s designed for tech startups needing funding to reach key milestones in their innovation journey.
Funding available: Up to 70% of eligible project costs
Who can apply:
Swiss-based startups with under 50 FTEs
Companies under 5 years old (up to 10 in exceptional cases)
What’s funded: Application-oriented R&D, product validation, go-to-market planning
Deadline: Open call, reviewed 4 times per year
Large Industrial Companies
We work with large companies to fund forward-thinking innovation and sustainability initiatives through European programs designed for high-impact industrial projects.
De-risk clean tech and decarbonization projects at scale
The Innovation Fund supports the development and rollout of low-carbon technologies. It’s one of the world’s most extensive climate-focused funding programs, aimed at companies leading the green transition.
Funding available: Covers up to 60% of project costs
Who can apply:
Companies (startups to large corporations)
Research organizations
Individual applicants or consortia
What’s funded:
Renewable energy, hydrogen, and carbon capture
Sustainable mobility, heavy industry decarbonization
Next deadlines:
Small-Scale Call: Q1 2025Large-Scale Call: Q4 2025
Other Funding Opportunities
We help tech-driven startups, women-led ventures, and dual-use innovators access niche funding instruments tailored to their unique profiles—supporting them through every step of the journey.
Boosting female-led deep tech startups in Europe
Women TechEU supports women founders leading early-stage deep tech startups, helping close the gender gap in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Funding available: Up to €75,000 in grants
Who can apply:
Women CEOs or founders of early-stage deep tech startups
Companies established in EU Member States or associated countries
What’s funded: Business coaching, investor readiness, IP strategy, and EU funding preparation
- Why apply: Raise visibility, receive expert mentoring, and strengthen your growth strategy
Next deadline:
17 March 2025
Accelerating dual-use technologies for defense and security
The DIANA (Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) program supports startups and SMEs developing technologies that can serve both civilian and military applications (dual-use).
Funding available: Up to €300,000 per selected challenge
Who can apply:
Startups and SMEs from NATO member countries
What’s funded: Technology development and testing in areas like AI, autonomy, energy resilience, sensors, and biotech
Why apply: Gain access to NATO networks, funding, and test centres
Next deadline: 11 july 2025
Collaborate on cutting-edge defense innovation across Europe
The EDF funds collaborative R&D projects in the defense sector, encouraging cross-border cooperation to develop next-generation military technologies.
Funding available:
Up to 100% of eligible costs for research actions
Up to 80% for development actions
Who can apply:
Consortia including SMEs, large industry, and research centers from at least 3 EU countries
Focus areas: Cybersecurity, AI, robotics, space, naval, air and ground defense
Why apply: Access large-scale EU defense funding and contribute to European sovereignty
Next deadlines: 16 October 2025
National funding for Spanish tech startups with strong R&D focus
NEOTEC is a competitive national grant scheme supporting Spanish tech startups with a strong focus on in-house R&D and technological development.
Funding available: Up to €325,000 per project
Who can apply:
Spanish-based startups less than 3 years old
Must demonstrate strong R&D capacity (minimum 15% of team must be technical staff)
What’s funded: Technology-based business model development, team growth, and go-to-market plans
Why apply: Non-dilutive funding specifically tailored to science and engineering-driven companies
Next deadline: 12 June 2025
European innovation funding for market-ready solutions
The EIT (European Institute of Innovation & Technology) connects startups, corporates, and research institutions through sector-focused networks that drive entrepreneurship, tech transfer, and cross-border collaboration.
Funding available: Varies by program, up to €500,000+ in grants, equity, and services
Who can apply:
- Startups and scaleups based in the EU or Horizon-associated countries
- Corporations, universities, and R&D centres seeking collaboration opportunities
- Applicants working in priority areas like health, climate, digital, food, and energy
What’s funded: Acceleration, venture building, education, pilot testing, and business creation support
Why apply: Access Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem with funding, training, and strategic partnerships
Next deadline: Calls are open year-round across different EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs)