EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges

Advanced Innovation Challenge: Translating Disruptive NAMs into Practice

Supports ARPA inspired high risk demand driven pilots translating new approach methods into practical deep tech practice.

Eligibility · EU member states + Horizon-associated

The European Innovation Council's Advanced Innovation Challenge (AIC) on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) is one of two pilot challenges introduced in the EIC's 2026 programme under Horizon Europe. The challenge targets disruptive scientific and technological approaches that can replace, reduce, or refine the use of animals in the testing and development of medicinal products — a space where regulatory acceptance of alternatives remains a critical bottleneck. It is designed as a high-risk, demand-driven initiative in the spirit of ARPA-style programmes, funding breakthroughs unlikely to emerge from conventional pharma or biotech R&D pipelines. The 2026 call received 709 proposals across both AIC challenge topics combined, reflecting strong European interest in this funding mechanism.

The programme follows an identical two-stage gated structure as the Physical AI challenge. Stage 1, which closed on 26 February 2026, offered a €300,000 lump-sum grant over up to nine months for a single legal entity — start-up, SME, or research-performing organisation — registered in an EU Member State or Associated Country. Larger companies were required to form a consortium to participate. Applicants needed technology at TRL 4 or above. Stage 2, open exclusively to Stage 1 winners, offers up to €2.5 million per project over 2.5 years and is scheduled for a June 2027 indicative deadline. Projects must target biomedical applications of NAMs and have civil intent only; defence applications are excluded.

For medtech and biotech innovators working on organ-on-chip platforms, in-vitro toxicology models, computational biology, or other alternatives to animal testing, the NAMs AIC represents a rare European funding channel specifically aligned with this sector's regulatory and scientific needs. Winning applicants should anticipate demonstrating both the scientific validity of their NAM approach and a credible pathway toward regulatory acceptance of their method, since EIC evaluators will weight translational feasibility and impact on EU drug development capacity.