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Overview
The Pre-Accelerator supports early deep-tech SMEs in Horizon Europe Widening countries. It combines technology development with work on the business case, investment readiness and intellectual property needed for a later Accelerator application or private investment.
This is a country-restricted preparation route, not a smaller Accelerator open across Europe.
Is this for you?
Success rates — the honest picture
Eligibility
- 1An established SME in a Horizon Europe Widening country or eligible outermost region; the official country list controls eligibility.
- 2Proof of concept completed, starting at least at TRL 4; completed TRL 5 is already too advanced for this route.
- 3Civil applications and sufficient resources to cover the company's share of project costs.
- 4Rights to develop and commercialise the technology.
The company must exist when applying. The FAQ specifies no minimum or maximum company age; linked and partner enterprises count when establishing SME status.
Start from TRL 4; projects already completing TRL 5 are outside the intended starting point. Activities must be exclusively civilian and cannot be double-funded.
The WIDERA 2027 topic specifies a single SME in an eligible Widening country. A generic page’s small-mid-cap wording should not replace the topic’s specific SME condition.
The 2027 topic table gives a €40M envelope and expected contribution of €500K–€1M. The same PDF retains older €300K–€500K narrative wording; the current EIC page identifies that lower range with 2025. Recheck the 2027 portal documents before finalising the budget.
What the support covers
The official EIC FAQ specifies €500,000–€1 million in 2027, funding up to 70% of total eligible project costs. The applicant contributes the remaining share.
How to apply — step by step
- 1Check company and technology eligibilityBefore opening
Confirm Widening-country establishment, SME status and a validated TRL 4 starting point.
Official instructions - 2Prepare the topic-specific proposal5 May–18 November 2027
Use the WIDERA topic, General Annexes and portal forms; document technical and business readiness work.
Official instructions - 3Evaluation and grant preparation2028
Plan around the published indicative 2028 timetable, allowing for changes.
Official instructions
What evaluators look for
Excellence
Explain the deep-tech advance and the research needed to validate it.
Impact
Show the path toward commercial and investment readiness.
Implementation
Present a credible development plan, team and resources.
Documents you'll need
Official timing expectations, SME rules, repeat submissions and double-funding checks.
- Contains:
- Official timing expectations, SME rules, repeat submissions and double-funding checks.
- Why:
- Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.
- When:
- Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone
Call HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-01-WIDENING-01: timetable and topic requirements.
- Contains:
- Call HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-01-WIDENING-01: timetable and topic requirements.
- Length:
- 132 pages; topic pp. 37–41
- Why:
- Use the issuing body’s current version when preparing an application.
- When:
- Before submission
Admissibility, country eligibility, award criteria and procedure.
- Contains:
- Admissibility, country eligibility, award criteria and procedure.
- Length:
- 44 pages
- Why:
- Use the issuing body’s current version when preparing an application.
- When:
- Before submission
Registration, submission, grant preparation and reporting.
- Contains:
- Registration, submission, grant preparation and reporting.
- Why:
- Use the issuing body’s current version when preparing an application.
- When:
- Before submission
Opening 5 May 2027; deadline 18 November 2027; the new submission template will be published at opening.
- Contains:
- Opening 5 May 2027; deadline 18 November 2027; the new submission template will be published at opening.
- Why:
- Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.
- When:
- Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone
2026 Deadlines
- 20262026No Pre-Accelerator call
The next published call is in 2027.
- 2027-05-052027-05-05Planned call opening
- 2027-11-182027-11-18Submission deadline
Confirm the submission time in the Funding & Tenders topic.
- February 2028February 2028Indicative evaluation
- February–March 2028February–March 2028Indicative results
- June–July 2028June–July 2028Indicative grant agreements
After you're funded
Published support is €500,000–€1 million at 70%, for up to two years. The eventual topic and grant agreement govern eligible activities and reporting.
Practical notes
This is a country-restricted preparation route, not a smaller Accelerator open across Europe. Check geography and technology maturity before investing in a proposal.
Official sources checked on 12 October 2026. Calls can be amended; confirm the current terms and exact submission time in the linked official documents.
Key Features
Official links & resources
Frequently Asked Questions
A single deep-tech SME at the lab-validation stage, established in an eligible Widening country. A startup that has already completed TRL 5 should examine the Accelerator instead.
The official EIC FAQ specifies €500,000–€1 million in 2027, funding up to 70% of total eligible project costs. The applicant contributes the remaining share.
There is no 2026 call. The next call is scheduled to open on 5 May 2027 and close on 18 November 2027. These are the 2027 terms; the 2025 grant range was different.
Related Programmes
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