European Commission approves 1.8 billion euro EIC work program for 2027

The European Commission has officially approved the 2027 work program for the European Innovation Council (EIC), allocating 1.8 billion euros to support deep-tech entrepreneurs and researchers. This funding represents the final installment of the Horizon Europe 2021–2027 research framework, aiming to transition groundbreaking research into market-ready innovations while enhancing the scale-up capacity of European strategic technologies.

The 2027 plan incorporates targeted improvements designed to simplify and accelerate support mechanisms in line with the EU startup and scaleup strategy and the Competitiveness Compass. Key financial allocations within the package include 1 billion euros for the Scaleup Europe Fund, 200 million euros dedicated to defense-related investments, and 25 million euros for the Advanced Innovation Challenges pilot program. Furthermore, the initiative strengthens support for dual-use technologies through the EIC STEP Scale Up scheme.

These measures conclude a series of initiatives that began in 2026. The program is strategically positioned to bolster the development of startups and scaleups across the continent, ensuring that high-potential innovators receive consistent financial assistance from the early research phase through to final commercialization.