European Commission adopts €1.8bn EIC Work Programme for 2027, with new funding rules

The European Commission adopted the 2027 European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme, offering €1.8 billion in funding opportunities, on 05/11/2026.

The 2027 work programme moves three initiatives launched in 2026 from their pilot phase to established structures: milestone-based funding is introduced through a new Challenge model; defence and dual-use innovation receive a structured investment framework; and the Scaleup Europe Fund becomes a fully fledged instrument.

The other key changes are:
• Pathfinder moves to a two-stage process to manage high demand;
• Transition shifts to a single-beneficiary model, aimed at speed, simplification and accountability. It is also oriented more firmly toward commercialisation (technology, business and market readiness) rather than collaborative…