EU-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can now get EU funding and support for breakthrough innovation projects with a market-creating potential under SME instrument as a part of the Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2018-2020.

SME Instrument will support innovative ideas for products, services or processes with a clear commercial ambition and a potential for high growth and internationalisation. There are no predefined topics for the SME instrument call; only the most excellent and impactful ideas will receive support.

How does it work?

The SME Instrument consists of two separate grant phases, both complemented by coaching and business acceleration services. Participants can apply to Phase 1 with a view to applying to Phase 2 at a later stage, or directly to Phase 2 if the idea has sufficient maturity and proven feasibility.

  • Phase 1: concept and feasibility grants of €50,000 to assess the viability of an innovation and develop it into a credible business plan for scaling it up. The phase should last around 6 months.
  • Phase 2: demonstration, testing, piloting and scaling grants of up to €2.5 million with a 70% co-financing rate. This phase should normally take 12 to 24 months.

How to apply to SME instrument?

To apply you are invited to register and submit your proposal on the Horizon 2020 Participant Portal.The SME Instrument is a continuously open call with 4 cut-offs per year for each phase. The deadlines for the next first phase calls are 7 May 2019, 5 September 2019 and 6 November 2019.

For more information please contact: susanna.silvennoinen@silkas.fi, 044-2936955

Read more:

https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/sme-instrument

https://ec.europa.eu/easme/en/eic-sme-instrument

http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/docs/h2020-funding-guide/grants/applying-for-funding/submit-proposals/get-prepared_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/wp/2018-2020/main/h2020-wp1820-eic_en.pdf