EIT Culture & Creativity Innovation Projects Open Call 2026
Horizon Europe · HORIZON-EIT-2025-KIC-IBA-CC
Funding to take TRL 7 innovations in architecture, audiovisual media and fashion to TRL 9 and market deployment.
What is this call about?
The call funds close-to-market innovations at TRL 7 in architecture, audiovisual media and fashion to reach TRL 9 and market deployment. It runs in two stages, with a funded preparatory phase followed by an 18-month implementation phase.
What does this call fund?
Scope
The call supports high-impact, close-to-market innovations at TRL 7 in the architecture, audiovisual media and fashion sectors, helping them advance to TRL 9 and full market deployment. Projects should show a credible path to commercialisation and contribute to the objectives and KPIs of EIT Culture & Creativity, including market deployment and generation of intellectual property.
Stage 1: preparatory phase
Selected Stage 1 applicants (up to 30) receive a fixed lump sum of €20,000 for a six-week preparatory phase to develop a Business Development Plan, covering areas such as market validation, intellectual property and regulatory mapping, and commercialisation strategy.
Stage 2: implementation phase
After the Stage 2 evaluation, up to 11 projects may receive up to €900,000 each for an 18-month implementation phase. This phase focuses on technical development to TRL 9, validation and pilot deployment, market entry, commercialisation, investment readiness and scaling. Funding may cover up to 70% of the eligible project costs used to set the project-based lump sum.
Evaluation
Stage 1 proposals are assessed by two external experts on excellence, impact, quality and efficiency of implementation, and EU dimension; they must meet all thresholds and score at least 23/30. Stage 2 full proposals are assessed by four external experts (two technical/thematic, two business/financial) and need at least 70/90 to reach the internal portfolio selection, which includes a hearing and carries up to 40 additional points, with a minimum of 24/40. The final ranking combines both scores, subject to available budget.
Information session
An online information session takes place on 7 October 2026, 10:00 to 12:00 CEST; registration is needed and the session will be recorded.
What are the key facts?
- Topic budget
- €10,500,000
- Funding rate
- up to 70%
- Call code
- HORIZON-EIT-2025-KIC-IBA-CC
- Programme
- Horizon Europe
- Funder
- EIT Culture & Creativity
- Funding per project
- €20,000 fixed lump sum in Stage 1; up to €900,000 in Stage 2
- Duration
- six-week preparatory phase; 18-month implementation phase
- Expected number of projects
- up to 30 invited to Stage 2; up to 11 funded for implementation
Who can apply for this call?
- Stage 2 is open only to applicants selected in Stage 1.
Check your eligibility and how your project fits
In your free account, we check the eligibility conditions against the call documents for your organisation and assess how well your project fits this call.
When is the deadline?
Two-stage call: Stage 1 applications by 30 October 2026, 17:00 CET; Stage 2 full proposals by 15 March 2027, 17:00 CET.
Interested in this call? Summary written with AI from the official call documents. Details can differ, so check the official call page before you apply. Read the official call documents before you decide. The official text is always binding.
Source: the official call page and the official call documents. Always check them before you apply. Official call page Last updated 16 October 2026.