EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges — Stage 2
Funds advanced innovation projects advancing robotics and physical AI deep-tech initiatives toward scalable outcomes.
EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges Stage 2 is the second and final phase of the EIC's AIC pilot programme, open exclusively to companies and research performing organisations that successfully completed Stage 1 of the 2026 AIC call. Stage 1 closed 26 February 2026 and attracted 709 proposals across two challenge topics: Physical AI (full title: Accelerating Physical AI — Embodied Intelligence for …
Stage 2 continuation grants (up to €2.5M) exclusively for Stage 1 AIC winners in Physical AI robotics and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for biotech.
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Guides for this application
All guides →Horizon Europe Grants for Startups: A Founder Guide
A practical guide to Horizon Europe grants for startups, including EIC, consortia, eligibility, Funding & Tenders, TRL, budgets, and EU strategy.
Where to applyGrants for Biotech Startups: NIH, NSF, SBIR/STTR, and Non-Dilutive Funding
A practical guide to grants for biotech startups, including NIH SBIR/STTR, NSF, translational funding, evidence, regulatory readiness, and budgets.
Where to applyGrants for Robotics Startups: SBIR, Defense, NSF, and Pilot Funding
A practical guide to grants for robotics startups, including SBIR/STTR, NSF, DoD, NASA, field validation, TRL, pilot evidence, budgets, and commercialization strategy.
DocumentsGrant Work Plan Template: Work Packages, Gantt, Milestones, and Risks
Use this grant work plan template to structure work packages, tasks, owners, deliverables, Gantt timing, dependencies, and risk registers.
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