Starting June 17, 2026, the European Innovation Council (EIC) will provide investments in defense and dual-use technologies, marking a strategic turning point in European innovation policy. This change is the result of an amendment to the EIC Work Programme for 2026, adopted today by the Commission to implement the Mini-Omnibus Defence. The factsheet is attached. The update primarily concerns the EIC Accelerator, EIC STEP Scale Up, and EIC STEP Defence Scale Up.
The EIC Accelerator supports companies (primarily SMEs, including start-ups) in scaling up high-impact innovations with the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones. The EIC Accelerator focuses specifically on innovations based on scientific discoveries or technological advances ("deep tech") and requiring significant long-term financing before they can be profitable ("patient capital"). Starting from 09/07/2026, the EIC Accelerator can support applications for dual-use innovations under both the Open and Challenges calls.. The startups and SMEs developing technologies focused on dual-use use cases, both in the civil and defense sectors (e.g. artificial intelligence, quantum technology, advanced materials, robotics) may apply Grants of up to €2,5 million and equity investments of up to €30 million. The first set of dual-use innovation proposals will be evaluated for the batch of 02/09/2026, while a second will be made for the 04/11/2026 batch.
The call EIC STEP Scale supports growth-stage companies (SMEs and small and medium-sized enterprises) with breakthrough innovations in strategic European technology sectors. Selected companies will receive: investments between €10 million and €30 million, designed to catalyze large financing rounds, for example in the range of €50 million-€150 million or more, and at least 3-5 times the initial EIC investment. Also in this case and in light of the update of the EIC Work Programme, the EIC STEP Scale up call can support potential applications at dual use, while promoting civilian useThe first set of dual-use innovation proposals will be evaluated in the batch of 09/09/2026, then followed by a second one 25/11/2026.
At the same time, the EIC launches a new call for proposals EIC STEP Defence Scale Up worth €100 millionCompanies from EU Member States, European Economic Area countries associated with Horizon Europe and Ukraine can receive up to €30 million in direct equity financing to accelerate the expansion of its industrial capabilities, including air and missile defense, drones and anti-drone systems, and other critical defense technologiesThis is the first time an EU funding program has directly invested in venture capital in defense companies, primarily in strategic technology areas such as air and missile defense; artillery and precision strike; missiles and munitions; drones and counter-drones; strategic enablers; cyber warfare, AI, and electronic warfare; military mobility; land combat; maritime; air combat; and medicine and countermeasures. The EIC will co-invest in the major financing rounds, which typically range from €50 million to €150 million or more, with the total expected size of the rounds at least three to five times the requested EIC investment. Applications can be submitted from June 30 to October 28, 2026, with results expected in early 2027.
For more information: info@iniziativa.cc
