IF26 SME Call
Objective
The Innovation Fund is planning a new funding call designed specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with smaller projects. The aim is simple: make it easier for SMEs to apply for Innovation Fund funding, without needing previous experience with EU grant applications.
The call will support SMEs running "small-scale projects" with capital expenditures between €2.5 million and €20 million. SMEs are defined according to an EU definition based on staff numbers and turnover (set out in EU Recommendation 2003/361).
The total budget is planned to be €200 million.
Design
- Less paperwork: fewer documents and less information when applying
- A simpler way to calculate climate benefits: a semi-automated tool to calculate greenhouse gas avoidance
- Simpler reporting and monitoring
- Two opportunities to apply in the year: if applicants are not ready to apply for the first application round, they can apply in the next one. The end of each round will be marked by two "cut-off" dates (for more details, please consult the timeline below).
- Support for projects that may carry more risk than projects supported through other Innovation Fund calls.
Timeline
- 19 June 2026 – IF26 Calls for Proposals - Stakeholder consultation event
- Webpage
- Recording
- Slides - SME call session
- 13 October 2026 – Webinar for SME applicants
- Webpage
- December 2026 – Call publication
- End of March 2027 – Deadline for applications (first round indicative)
- April–June 2027 – Evaluation of proposals
- July–December 2027 – Grant Agreement signed for awarded projects
- April 2027 – Call publication (second round indicative)
- End of September 2027 – Deadline for applications (second round indicative)
- October–December 2027 – Evaluation of proposals
- January–June 2028 – Grant Agreement signed for awarded projects