The Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) is pleased to announce the launch of the European Innovation Council (EIC) Support Scheme.

EIC Work Programme 2023

The European Commission adopted the 2023 work programme of the European Innovation Council. It opens funding opportunities worth over €1.6 billion in 2023 for breakthrough ideas.

The scheme is intended to support single companies classified as SME[1] (including Start-Ups) or other entities established in Malta, who plan to apply as sole applicant, or leader of a consortium, to all options of the  European Innovation Council Programme., including Pathfinder, Transition and Accelerator.

According to the EIC program they will apply, applicants may select different relevant options to receive support, as described below and in detail in the Support Scheme documentation C (which covers the full stage application) depending on the stage of their EIC application and/or project.

Available options:

• Option A – Proposal Development Grant: this grant allows the recipient to be reimbursed up to 10,000 Euros to cover the costs of a grant writing support consultant. The consultant will provide a full and comprehensive support during the whole process of proposal development. This grant is applicable for the following EIC programs: EIC Pathfinder and EIC Transition first stage proposals (the Maltese applicant must be project coordinator to qualify for this grant), and  EIC Accelerator stage 2.
• Option B – Business Coach Grant: this grant allows the recipient to be reimbursed up to 5,000 Euros to cover the costs of a business coach. The option is exclusively available for EIC Accelerator stage 1 applicants. The coach will provide their services to support the development of a slideshow and preparation for the interview, as well as providing coaching services to improve the quality of the business case and increase chances of success.
• Option C – Pitch Coach Grant: this grant allows the recipient to be reimbursed up to 2,000 Euros to cover the costs of a pitch coach. The pitch coach will support the person(s) who will make the business case pitch to improve their presentation skills and preparedness during the interview. This option is available for EIC Transition 2nd stage and EIC Accelerator 1st stage.

Visit the below link to download the guidelines and application forms.

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