[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

January 5, 2026 (single-stage)

€60,000 equity-free per selected startup (20 awards); 6-month acceleration; total pool €1,200,000

Supports women-led deep-tech startups in 16 European countries with funding and a tailored acceleration programme.

Only one proposal per beneficiary can be funded; applications must be submitted in English via the EU Survey portal.

--- ## Description This European Commission opportunity targets women-led deep-tech startups in 16 moderate and emerging innovator countries, as classified by the European Innovation Scoreboard. Through the EPIC-X Acceleration+ Programme, selected startups receive equity-free funding, personalized business coaching, and access to a pan-European network to strengthen business strategy, accelerate market entry, and boost innovation capacity. The programme is delivered over six months and aims to help close the innovation gap and foster regional excellence by empowering women entrepreneurs in deep tech. --- ## Due Dates - Application deadline: January 5, 2026, 17:00 CET (16:00 Brussels time) - Opening date: November 2, 2025 - Webinars for applicants: - November 17, 2025 (11:00–12:00 CET) - December 4, 2025 (11:00–12:00 CET) - December 15, 2025 (11:00–12:00 CET) --- ## Funding Amount - Each selected startup will receive a €60,000 equity-free lump sum grant. - Includes €20,000 specifically for 15–20 days of personalized business coaching. - Total available funding: €1,200,000. - 20 startups will be selected across the 16 eligible countries. - Funding is provided under the Financial Support to Third Parties mechanism (cascade funding). --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be women-led deep-tech startups. - Only startups established in one of the 16 moderate and emerging innovator countries (see the [2023 European Innovation Scoreboard](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/knowledge-publications-tools-and-data/publications/all-publications/european-innovation-scoreboard-2023_en) for the list). - Applicants may submit multiple proposals for different projects, but only one proposal per beneficiary can receive funding. - Proposals must be submitted in English. - Full eligibility details are provided in section 2.2 of the Open Call Guidelines. --- ## Application Process - Submit the application electronically via the [EU Survey portal](https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/ce2aa52e-20db-8c4b-7e39-396bbdcc9e91) by the deadline. - Required documents: - Application form (administrative info, project description, ethics self-assessment, declarations, budget) - 2-minute pitch video - [Annex 1: Legal Entity Form](https://epic-x.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/EPIC-X-Legal-Entity-Form-Template-1.pdf) - [Annex 2: Women’s Leadership Declaration](https://epic-x.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/EPIC-X-Annex-2-Womens-Leadership-Declaration-_-Template.docx) - [Annex 3: Business Coaching Plan](https://epic-x.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/EPIC-X-Annec-3-Business-Coaching-Plan-_-Template.docx) - [Annex 4: Market Fit / Investment Documents](https://epic-x.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/EPIC-X-Annex-4-Market-Fit-Investment-Documents-_-Template.docx) - Annex 5: Declaration of Honour (in online form) - Applications must respect character limits and be submitted in English. - Only electronic submissions are accepted; paper or email submissions are not permitted. --- ## Additional Information - Only one proposal per beneficiary may be funded; if multiple similar proposals are submitted, only one will be evaluated. - The selection process includes administrative checks, a two-stage evaluation (summary/pitch pre-screening and full application review), and a final ranking to ensure geographic diversity. - Bonus points are awarded for prior recognition in EU/national innovation programmes. - Maximum three awards per country. - Attend an information webinar for guidance on the application process (registration via EPIC-X website). --- ## External Links - [Call Details & Application Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/competitive-calls-cs/12222?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [EPIC-X Programme Page](https://epic-x.eu/open-call/) - [2023 European Innovation Scoreboard](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/knowledge-publications-tools-and-data/publications/all-publications/european-innovation-scoreboard-2023_en) - [EU Survey Application Link](https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/ce2aa52e-20db-8c4b-7e39-396bbdcc9e91) - [Legal Entity Form (Annex 1)](https://epic-x.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/EPIC-X-Legal-Entity-Form-Template-1.pdf) - [Women’s Leadership Declaration (Annex 2)](https://epic-x.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/EPIC-X-Annex-2-Womens-Leadership-Declaration-_-Template.docx) - [Business Coaching Plan (Annex 3)](https://epic-x.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/EPIC-X-Annec-3-Business-Coaching-Plan-_-Template.docx) - [Market Fit / Investment Documents (Annex 4)](https://epic-x.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/EPIC-X-Annex-4-Market-Fit-Investment-Documents-_-Template.docx) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General & technical queries| general@epic-x.eu (support available until 24 hours before the deadline) | | Funder general contact | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | EPIC-X Programme Info | [EPIC-X Website](https://epic-x.eu/open-call/) | | Phone (European Commission)| +32 2 299 11 11 |

Open Call for Women-Led Deep-Tech Startups

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