EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges 2027 Stage 2 is a restricted competition for projects selected and funded through Stage 1 of the 2026 pilot. New applicants cannot enter directly at Stage 2. The draft assigns EUR 25 million to develop the strongest Physical AI and New Approach Methodologies solutions toward real-world deployment.

Deadlines / EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges 2026

  • EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges
    • Stage 2 cut-off 2027: June 18th 2027

The schedule above follows the current EIC information and remains subject to the adopted 2027 Work Programme and final call conditions.

Who Is Eligible for Stage 2?

Only projects that participated in and were selected through Advanced Innovation Challenges Stage 1 can apply. A selected applicant can continue as one eligible entity, form a two-entity consortium across two eligible countries, or form a consortium of up to three entities that satisfies the applicable country rules.

Funding and Duration

  • Maximum grant: EUR 2.5 million.
  • Maximum duration: 2.5 years.
  • Funding rate: 100% through a lump sum.
  • Draft Stage 2 budget: EUR 25 million.
  • Application length: 22 pages for the cover and Sections 1–3 of Part B.

What Must the Application Demonstrate?

Stage 2 is not a repetition of the original concept. Applicants must show what Stage 1 proved, how users, customers or regulators responded, which uncertainties remain and how the next project will reach an application-relevant demonstration.

The application is accompanied by a PDF presentation for a live pitch. It should explain Stage 1 results, user validation, development and deployment milestones, scalability, regulatory work and the initial business plan. Updated letters of intent can substantiate access to users, data, infrastructure and future adoption routes.

Physical AI Stage 2

Physical AI solutions combine intelligent perception, learning, autonomous decisions, human collaboration and novel physical integration through sensors, actuators or materials. The selected systems should complete repeated build-and-test loops in application-relevant environments and progress toward TRL 6–7.

Relevant deployment areas include disaster response and civil security, autonomous laboratories and personal or professional robot assistants. Evaluation will examine autonomy, reliability, safe interaction, resource efficiency, manufacturability, compliance and the route from demonstrator to scalable product.

New Approach Methodologies Stage 2

The NAMs challenge supports human-relevant methods that reduce or replace animal testing in preclinical research and in safety, efficacy or quality testing. Approaches include organoids, organ-on-chip systems, in-chemico methods, digital twins, virtual patients, AI prediction and advanced human tissue models.

Stage 2 should produce a functional and scalable prototype around TRL 6, supported by benchmarking, relevant-use validation, regulator and industry engagement, external testing and a credible standardisation or adoption pathway.

Jury Evaluation

Eligible proposals proceed to a jury that can include the responsible Programme Manager and user representatives. The jury tests demonstrated performance, the deployment work plan, market-creation potential, verified user interest, team capability and resources. It can recommend GO, GO Reserve or NO GO.

Read the 2026 Physical AI and NAMs analysis for the Stage 1 foundations and the EIC Work Programme 2027 guide for the complete draft context.