Open Calls
This call is CLOSED!
Open call 2 for EIC Awardees
The objective of this Open Call is to fund the pilot testing or proof-of-concept (PoC) demonstration of innovative solutions, tailored to the four (4) predefined Innovation Challenges of the InnoMatch Buyers.
It will facilitate the deployment of pilots or PoCs, pairing EIC Awardees with the preselected InnoMatch committed Buyers to test and validate innovative solutions in the Buyers’ premises, with the aim of optimising the potential post-pilot adoption of the innovative solutions.
Only Horizon Europe EIC Awardees are eligible to apply for this open call.
The call is open until 17 April 2026 – 17:00 CET. Check the info below and read the Guidelines for Applicants first.
Read the Guidelines for Applicants first.
Webinar - Join our informative session!
On 25 March by 15:00 CET the InnoMatch team will host a free informative session about the open call where participants are invited to share their questions. The sessions is intended to provide detailed explanation of the open call to help in the application submission.
25 March by 15:00 CET - Online
Deadlines
16 February 2026
Opening
17 April 2026 - 17:00 CET
Submission dealine
What we offer
- 4 pilots or proof of concepts will be funded with a maximum of 60k euro each.
- Selected applicants will enter the 12-month InnoMatch Programme, and will have up to 6 months to deploy their innovative solutions
- Selected applicants (EIC Awardees) and their committed Buyers will receive additional support for maximising impact and growth (training sessions, coaching, mentoring)
- Become part of the EIC Innovation Procurement Community and benefit from the additional services, opportunities and the wide network of professionals in the field
- Access to a community of public & private buyers, the EIC Innovation Procurement Toolkit and a dedicated social media group for EIC Awardees and buyers interested in innovation procurement.
EIC Innovation Procurement Programme
The EIC IPP is crucial component of the European Innovation Council’s strategy to foster European innovation.
What does this flagship initiative offer?
✓ A Community of public & private buyers interested in the solutions offered by the EIC Beneficiaries.
✓ Assistance to enhance the capacity of public buyers to purchase innovative solutions to tackle public challenges, opening at the same time their procurement markets to SMEs and startups (as part of the SPIN4EIC Assistance).
✓ Assistance to EIC Beneficiaries to submit tenders in public and private sector procurement opportunities in Europe and at a global level (as part of the SPIN4EIC Academy).
✓ Access to practical insights related to innovation procurement – EIC IPP Innovation Procurement Toolkit.
✓ A dedicated social media group for all EIC awardees and buyers interested in innovation procurement.
Benefits
EIC Awardees
InnoMatch provides funding for innovative companies, and access to early customers and financial support to pilot their solutions, helping them overcome market entry barriers and scale up.
Buyers
InnoMatch enables the committed Buyers to test free of charge cutting-edge solutions tailored to their innovation challenges, fostering efficient innovation adoption and reducing procurement risks.
Who can apply?
Single legal entities who are Horizon Europe EIC Awardees:
- Beneficiaries of the EIC Pathfinder
- Beneficiaries of EIC Transition
- Beneficiaries with an EIC contract or investment agreement for EIC Accelerator
- Winners of EIC Prizes
NOTE: applications are only to be made by Horizon Europe EIC Awardees. Buyers can’t submit applications.
The selected entities must be able to facilitate the commercial exploitation of the solution, in case the pilot / PoC i successful, and to bring the innovation to the market.
Challenges
As a result of the InnoMatch Open Call for Public and Private Buyers (now closed), InnoMatch selected 4 Buyers and their unmet innovation needs. The selected Buyers received targeted support to translate those needs into clear, well-structured Innovation Challenges, specifically designed to attract and engage innovative SMEs and start-ups from the European Innovation Council (EIC Awardees).
Those 4 (four) InnoMatch Innovation Challenges of the Buyers are the setting ground for this last InnoMatch call for EIC Awardees. This call is looking for innovative companies (EIC Awardees) to propose solutions tailored to the identified 4 InnoMatch Innovation Challenges.
Each one of them tackling a specific thematic area:
Health and Life Sciences
Security, safety and dual industries
Time is ticking!
InnoMatch Programme
Prepare phase
Up to 2 months
Sub-Grant Agreement (SGA) and an Action Plan preparation. The Action Plan to be developed together with the committed Buyer.
Deploy phase
Up to 6 months
Official start of the pilot implementation: pilots to be conducted within the services or premises of the Buyer, and with the support from a dedicated team on the Buyer’s side.
Assess phase
Up to 4 months
Preparation of a Validation Report: evaluation of the success of each pilot, the KPI fulfillment. With the involvement of the Buyer.
Growth services
Access to technology / premises
Expert support
Trainings
Group coaching
How to apply?
Open Call Evaluation Criteria
1. Alignment & Impact:
Applications must align with the Open Call objectives. Solutions must be focused on solving the targeted innovation challenge of the Buyer.
The applicant must explain how well the proposed solution addresses the identified innovation challenge of the committed Buyer in a tailored and effective manner. The expected impact of the solution must be assessed, including how it impacts societal challenges.
2. Excellence:
Applications must demonstrate the technical soundness of the proposed solution related to the concrete challenge of the Buyer it aims to solve. The applicants must elaborate on its feasibility, scalability, and present an overall measurement model.
3. Commitment:
The applicant has to explain how the challenge aligns with their business strategy and their interest in pursuing commercialization after pilot end. A specification of the TRL related to the proposed solution can be provided.
Complementarity and synergies through the participation of the EIC Awardee in other activities of the EIC Innovation Procurement Programme (e.g. assistance to EIC Awardees, matchmaking events etc.) or other relevant EIC BAS services will be considered as an advantage.
4. Team & Implementation:
Applicants must show evidence that the team has the necessary skills, infrastructure and management experience to implement the pilot in the defined timescale and budget, and to further facilitate the commercial exploitation of the solution.
Documentation
Documents at application stage
Documents in case you are selected
Timeline
(indicative)
Submissions
16 February 2026
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Deadline
17 April 2026 – 17:00 CET
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Eligibility check
April 2026
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Evaluation &
selection
May – June 2026
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Contracting phase & Start of the InnoMatch Programme
June – July 2026
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FAQ
How does InnoMatch work?
Powered by the EIC Innovation Procurement Programme, an initiative of the European Innovation Council (EIC), InnoMatch is an initiative focused on bringing access and visibility to the European procurement market scenario. We offer financial support to selected EIC Awardees (EIC granted beneficiaries) to implement their solutions in a pilot testing structure to solve buyers innovation challenges.
What are the timelines for this open call 1?
This call will be receiving applications until 17 April 2026 at 17.00 CET (Brussels time). After an eligibility check, evaluation and selection results are expected to be communicated to all applicants in May 2026.
Where does the funding come from?
The funds come directly from the funds of the InnoMatch initiative, funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA).
How does the funding mechanism work?
If selected, the EIC Awardee will celebrate a contract with the InnoMatch initiative to be able to receive up to 60.000 Euro per Subgrantee (EIC Awardee) in a Lump sum grant format (equity-free) against the demonstration of delivered milestones and approval of reports.
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