Objective
Europe has invested substantially in world-class Research Infrastructures (RIs), yet a persistent gap remains between scientific excellence and the validation of deep-tech technologies required for industrial uptake and societal impact. Early-stage deep-tech innovations frequently stall at low Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 1–3) due to limited access to specialised experimental environments, fragmented innovation pathways, and insufficient integration of technical and commercial validation. ELIgnite addresses this structural gap by establishing a pan-European deep-tech acceleration model anchored in the Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC (ELI ERIC), an ESFRI Landmark with unique high-power laser and laser-driven particle and photon sources. The project enables selected deep-tech teams to advance from proof-of-concept to validated prototypes (TRL 3–5) while simultaneously increasing Commercial Readiness Levels (CRL 3–5), combining infrastructure-enabled validation with structured business and innovation support. The action supports a focused portfolio of 6–10 high-potential deep-tech projects across strategic domains including medical technologies, energy, space and security, semiconductors, and AI. More than 60% of the project budget is allocated through Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP), providing up to EUR 500,000 per project for experimental validation at ELI ERIC and, where necessary, complementary European RIs. Validation activities are explicitly framed as pre-competitive, experimental RI access. By using a limited number of deeply supported projects as ecosystem anchors, ELIgnite strengthens RI–industry collaboration, reduces early-stage deep-tech risk, improves the socio-economic return on RI investments, and delivers a replicable model for RI-centred deep-tech ecosystems across Europe, contributing to strategic autonomy, inclusive innovation, and long-term competitiveness.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.2 - European innovation ecosystems
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIE-2026-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
252 41 Dolni Brezany
Czechia
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.