Can UK companies still apply to Horizon Europe?

Yes. The UK re-associated to Horizon Europe, so UK-based organisations can participate in most calls, including the EIC Accelerator, EIC Pathfinder and Eurostars, on broadly the same terms as EU applicants.

How much can the EIC Accelerator award?

The EIC Accelerator can provide grant funding of up to €2.5 million, alongside optional blended equity investment for scale-ups with a strong deep-tech or breakthrough innovation.

What is Eurostars for?

Eurostars funds international collaborative R&D projects led by R&D-performing SMEs across participating countries, with UK contributions typically funded through Innovate UK's Eurostars route.

European funding for UK innovators

Horizon Europe: EIC and Eurostars funding for UK companies

The UK is a fully associated member of Horizon Europe, giving UK businesses and researchers access to the EIC Accelerator, EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition and Eurostars alongside their EU peers. Our team has written and reviewed Horizon Europe applications from both sides of the panel.

The routes we work on

EIC Accelerator

Up to €2.5m grant, plus optional blended equity

For single companies with a breakthrough, high-risk innovation and a clear route to scaling in European and global markets. Assessed through a written application, interview and evidence-based pitch.

EIC Pathfinder

Up to €4m per project, collaborative

Early-stage, science-driven research aiming at a radically new technology. Funds consortia exploring high-risk science years ahead of commercial application.

EIC Transition

Up to €2.5m per project

Bridges validated Pathfinder-stage research (or equivalent) towards a commercial or societal application, maturing the technology and building the business case.

Eurostars

UK contribution typically around £360k

International collaborative R&D for R&D-performing SMEs, run jointly with participating countries. Funded in the UK through Innovate UK's Eurostars route.

What's different for UK applicants

UK organisations can lead and participate in the large majority of Horizon Europe calls following the UK's re-association.
EIC Accelerator's blended finance (equity) component is administered separately for UK applicants; the grant component is available on the same terms as EU applicants.
Funding for UK participants in most calls now flows via the EU as under full association, rather than through a separate UK guarantee scheme.
Some restricted actions remain limited to EU member states; we check eligibility against the specific call text before you commit time to a bid.

How we help UK companies win

Horizon Europe applications are assessed against EU-wide criteria by international panels, written to a more academic register than Innovate UK, and often require a genuine multi-country consortium. We build the technical narrative, coordinate consortium partners across countries, and prepare founders for the EIC Accelerator interview and pitch stage.

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Book a free 30-minute call and we'll give you an honest read on which Horizon Europe route fits your project.

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