How to Apply for Horizon Europe Grants — Step-by-Step Guide
The complete guide to applying for Horizon Europe grants as a Belgian company. Learn which programme fits your project, who qualifies, and how to submit a winning proposal.
Ask Lucas about Horizon EuropeWhat is Horizon Europe?
Horizon Europe is the European Union’s €95.5 billion framework programme for research and innovation, running from 2021 to 2027. It is the largest transnational research funding programme in the world, open to companies, research institutions, and universities across all EU member states. The programme is managed by the European Commission and its executive agencies, including EISMEA for EIC programmes.
For Belgian SMEs with innovation-driven projects, Horizon Europe offers significant opportunities. The European Innovation Council (EIC) programmes — Pathfinder, Transition, and Accelerator — specifically target breakthrough innovations from startups and SMEs. Belgian companies from Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia can all apply, and Belgium’s strong research ecosystem (KU Leuven, UCLouvain, ULB, VUB, imec) makes it an ideal base for competitive proposals.
Which programme is right for you?
EIC Pathfinder
Deep-tech startups and researchers with breakthrough ideas
EIC Accelerator
Innovative SMEs ready to scale
EIC Transition
Research teams bridging lab to market
MSCA (Marie Skłodowska-Curie)
Researchers and organisations hosting international talent
Who qualifies for Horizon Europe?
EU/Belgian companies registered in an EU member state can apply. SMEs (fewer than 250 employees, under €50M turnover) get preferential treatment under EIC programmes. Belgian companies from Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia are all eligible.
Innovation requirement: your project must demonstrate technological or scientific novelty beyond the state of the art. Incremental improvements are typically not sufficient. The project should address a clear market need or societal challenge.
Consortium requirements vary: EIC Accelerator is single-company, Pathfinder requires 3+ partners from 3+ EU countries, MSCA requires a host institution. Belgian SMEs often partner with universities (KU Leuven, ULB, VUB, UCLouvain) to strengthen applications.
Step-by-step: how to apply for Horizon Europe
Find your call on the Funding & Tenders Portal
Search ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders for open Horizon Europe calls. Filter by programme (EIC, MSCA) and topic. Each call has specific deadlines and scope requirements.
Check eligibility and timeline
Verify your company meets the eligibility criteria: legal entity in EU, SME status for EIC Accelerator, consortium requirements for collaborative calls. Note the submission deadline and plan backward.
Write your innovation description
Prepare a compelling Part B proposal: describe the problem, your solution, its novelty beyond state of the art, the market opportunity, and expected impact. EIC Accelerator requires a pitch video and business plan.
Prepare your financial plan
Detail your budget across cost categories: personnel, equipment, subcontracting, travel, and other direct costs. Horizon Europe typically funds 70–100% of eligible costs depending on the programme.
Submit via the Funding & Tenders Portal
Create an EU Login account, register your organisation in the Participant Register (get a PIC number), and submit through the electronic submission system before the deadline.
Evaluation process (4–6 months)
Remote expert evaluators score your proposal on Excellence, Impact, and Implementation. EIC Accelerator adds a face-to-face interview in Brussels. Scores determine ranking and funding.
Grant agreement and project start
If selected, negotiate the grant agreement with the European Commission or EISMEA. Set up the consortium agreement (for collaborative projects), and begin your project according to the approved work plan.
What makes a strong application
Demonstrate breakthrough potential
Horizon Europe rewards high-risk, high-reward innovation. Show how your project pushes boundaries beyond incremental improvement. Reference the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) explicitly.
Show clear European added value
Explain why this project needs EU-level collaboration or why the results will benefit multiple EU member states. Belgian companies should highlight cross-border partnerships and market reach.
Build a diverse and credible consortium
For collaborative projects, include partners from at least 3 EU countries with complementary expertise. Belgian research institutions are highly ranked and add credibility.
Address the evaluation criteria explicitly
Structure your proposal to match the three pillars: Excellence, Impact, Implementation. Each section should directly answer what evaluators are looking for.
Leverage Belgian support structures
Use NCP Belgium (National Contact Points) for free proposal feedback. VLAIO, Innoviris, and SPW all offer Horizon Europe coaching and co-financing for Belgian applicants.
Common mistakes to avoid
Applying without checking TRL requirements
Each EIC programme targets specific TRL ranges. Pathfinder covers TRL 1–4, Transition TRL 4–6, Accelerator TRL 5–9. Mismatched TRL is an immediate disqualification.
Underestimating the proposal timeline
A strong Horizon Europe proposal typically takes 3–6 months to prepare. Starting 2 weeks before the deadline produces weak applications. Begin early and get NCP feedback.
Ignoring the pitch and interview stage
EIC Accelerator includes a jury interview in Brussels. Many technically strong proposals fail here because founders are unprepared for the investor-style questioning.
Not declaring other EU or Belgian funding
Double funding is strictly monitored. Declare all active grants from VLAIO, Innoviris, SPW, or other EU programmes. Non-declaration can lead to grant termination and repayment.
Frequently asked questions about Horizon Europe
What is the success rate for Horizon Europe applications?
Success rates vary by programme. EIC Accelerator approves roughly 5–8% of full proposals. Collaborative calls average 15–20%. Strong preparation and NCP coaching significantly improve your chances.
Can a Belgian startup apply to EIC Accelerator alone?
Yes. EIC Accelerator is specifically designed for single SMEs. No consortium is required. You need to demonstrate a scalable innovation, a viable business model, and a team capable of executing the plan.
How long does it take to receive Horizon Europe funding?
From submission to grant agreement signature typically takes 6–9 months. EIC Accelerator can take up to 12 months including the interview stage. Pre-financing of up to 50% is usually paid within weeks of the grant agreement.
Can I combine Horizon Europe with VLAIO or Innoviris funding?
Yes, but the same costs cannot be funded twice. Belgian regional agencies (VLAIO, Innoviris, SPW) often provide co-financing for the company’s own contribution in EU projects. Declare all funding sources in your application.
Does Belgium have National Contact Points for Horizon Europe?
Yes. NCP Belgium provides free guidance on programme selection, proposal writing, and partner search. They also organise info sessions and can review draft proposals before submission. Contact them early in the process.
Ready to apply for Horizon Europe?
Ask Lucas about Horizon Europe programmes or check your eligibility with our quick quiz.