Briefly
Program description
The PoC Co-Financing Instrument is implemented by EIT Food to support SMEs and startups developing innovative solutions for the agrifood sector. The programme aims to reduce commercial risks associated with collaboration between startups and potential corporate customers while accelerating the market entry of innovative technologies, products, and services.
The programme supports Proof of Concept (PoC) initiatives and small-scale pilot projects that can lead to larger pilot deployments or the start of commercial activities.
Key features of the programme include:
- Projects must be implemented through collaboration between a startup and a corporate partner.
- A corporate customer is mandatory and must demonstrate commitment through a Letter of Intent.
- Project activities must be directly related to validating a proof of concept or implementing a pilot project.
- Proposed projects should demonstrate a clear pathway toward commercial success.
Examples of supported activities include sample creation, field trials, functionality and performance testing, as well as efficiency assessments.
The programme supports solutions that contribute to EIT Food’s mission of creating a healthier, more resilient, and sustainable food system.
Main Information
Eligibility
Under the EIT Food PoC Co-Financing Instrument, proposals must be submitted by a single beneficiary and comply with the programme’s eligibility and participation requirements.
Key applicant requirements:
- The organisation must be legally established in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe eligible country for at least 12 months before the activity starts.
- The proposed product, service, or solution must contribute to one of the EIT Food missions.
- Applicants must qualify as either a small or micro-sized enterprise according to EU definitions.
- The project must involve a corporate client counterpart with a minimum annual turnover of EUR 1 million.
Application requirements:
- The proposal must be complete and include all mandatory supporting documents.
- Required documents include a signed Letter of Intent, company presentation, project plan, and budget.
- Applications must be submitted through the designated platform before the deadline and be written entirely in English.
Ineligible applicants include:
- organisations undergoing bankruptcy, insolvency, or liquidation proceedings;
- organisations found in breach of tax or social security obligations;
- entities involved in fraud, corruption, or money laundering;
- applicants attempting to influence the evaluation process or obtain confidential information;
- Russian entities and affiliated organisations in accordance with EU policies and restrictions.
In addition, proposals that do not meet the call requirements or involve double funding of similar activities under EIT Food projects will be considered ineligible.
Financing
The EIT Food grant programme supports Proof-of-Concept (PoC) projects through a subgrant mechanism designed to strengthen collaboration between startups and corporate partners.
Key funding conditions:
- The maximum funding available is up to €60,000 per project.
- The total call budget is up to €1.5 million.
- Projects may receive funding for a period of up to 12 months from the project start date.
- Applicants may submit more than one project with different corporate clients.
The grant is disbursed in two instalments:
- the first instalment serves as pre-financing and represents 50% of the total budget, paid upon signature of the grant agreement;
- the second instalment is transferred after successful completion of the required project deliverables.
Funding is provided as a lump-sum contribution. If project deliverables are only partially completed or not completed, deductions may be applied to the corresponding funding amount.
To support the programme’s financial sustainability, the corporate counterpart of a Proof-of-Concept project must enter into a separate agreement with EIT Food and contribute to programme costs. This contribution amounts to 60% of the project budget submitted by the supported startup.
Supported Activities
The EIT Food grant programme supports Proof-of-Concept (PoC) projects and small-scale pilot initiatives aimed at developing innovative agrifood solutions and accelerating their commercialisation.
Supported project types include:
- Proof-of-Concept (PoC) projects implemented jointly by a startup and a corporate partner.
- Small-scale pilot projects designed to validate innovative solutions.
- Projects demonstrating a clear pathway to market entry and scaling.
Examples of supported activities include:
- creation and testing of product samples or prototypes;
- field trials;
- functionality testing;
- property and performance testing;
- technical and market validation of innovations.
The programme focuses on solutions that contribute to EIT Food’s missions:
- healthier lives through food;
- a net-zero food system;
- reducing risk for a fair and resilient food system.
As part of project implementation, beneficiaries are required to submit a final Proof of Concept Technical & Market Validation Report, documenting the outcomes and validation results achieved during the project.
Roadmap
The grant programme follows a structured timeline covering application submission, evaluation, selection, and project implementation.
Key milestones include:
- Call opening date: 16 April 2026.
- First application deadline: 31 July 2026, 12:00 CET.
- Final application deadline: 30 November 2026, 12:00 CET.
- Applications are evaluated within 15 days after submission.
- Selected participants are informed within 30 days after submission.
Following the selection process, a 30-day standstill period is applied for appeals, final administrative reviews, validation procedures, and compliance checks.
Contracting and onboarding activities take place after this period. Project implementation may start on a flexible schedule, with the latest possible project start date being April 2027.
How to Apply
Step-by-Step Application Submission Guide
To participate in the grant programme, applicants should complete the following steps:
- Register on the MyEITFood Portal.
- Prepare and complete the application form electronically.
- Upload and submit the application through the MyEITFood Portal.
- Ensure that all required information is completed before the submission deadline.
- Submit the application before the closing date of the call.
Important:
- Prior registration on the portal is mandatory before an application can be submitted.
- Applicants are encouraged to register in advance and allow sufficient time before the deadline.
- The final application deadline is 30 November 2026 at 12:00 CET.
- Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
Evaluation Criteria
All submitted applications undergo an eligibility check and expert evaluation. The assessment is conducted by at least two independent evaluators using predefined criteria.
Applications are assessed across three main categories:
- Excellence (35%)
- achievement of milestones and objectives;
- problem–solution fit;
- collaboration experience with the corporate partner.
- Impact (35%)
- alignment with EIT Food’s mission;
- technology novelty;
- potential of the PoC co-financing instrument to accelerate commercial success.
- Quality and Efficiency of Implementation (30%)
- scalability, feasibility, and implementation capacity;
- resource utilization and cost efficiency;
- quality of proposed deliverables.
Each sub-criterion is scored on a 1–5 scale:
- 1 – Poor
- 2 – Fair
- 3 – Good
- 4 – Very Good
- 5 – Excellent
To be considered for funding, an application must achieve a minimum weighted score of 3.5. Proposals that meet this quality threshold may be selected until the available funding is exhausted.
Applicants are informed of the evaluation results in writing. An appeal may be submitted within 15 days of receiving the results if the evaluation process was not conducted in accordance with the established procedures.
Updates / Announcements
The grant programme includes two application submission cut-off dates. Applicants may submit their proposals by one of the following deadlines:
- First cut-off date: 31 July 2026.
- Final deadline: 30 November 2026.
Following each submission deadline, all received applications will be reviewed and evaluated by expert panels.
Applicants are encouraged to take these deadlines into account and submit their proposals before the relevant cut-off date to be considered for funding.
Reporting and Compliance
Under the grant programme, funded activities are subject to continuous monitoring by EIT Food and may be audited.
Key reporting requirements include:
- Beneficiaries must regularly report on project implementation progress.
- Reporting covers the achievement of project deliverables, KPIs, risk management, financial management, quality assurance, and project impact.
- EIT Food may request KPI reports, deliverable reports, and supporting documentation.
Monitoring also includes assessment of:
- project implementation progress;
- communication and dissemination activities;
- commercialisation and exploitation of project results.
In cases of significant delays, underperformance, misconduct, or other issues affecting implementation, EIT Food reserves the right to restructure or discontinue project funding.
In addition, EIT Food may continue monitoring project outcomes for up to five years after project completion to verify the achievement of the anticipated KPIs and results.
Legal Terms
Selected participants in the EIT Food grant programme must comply with several administrative and regulatory requirements before project implementation begins.
Key requirements include:
- Organisations that have not previously participated in EIT-funded projects and do not have a validated PIC number from the European Commission may be subject to a PIC validation process.
- As part of this process, applicants may be required to provide additional documentation and sign a Declaration of Honour (DoH).
During the onboarding process, selected entities must:
- register on the EIT Food grants management platform;
- submit a Declaration of Size;
- submit a Financial Identification Form.
In addition, EIT Food reserves the right to conduct a financial capacity assessment of selected applicants. If the outcome of this assessment is unsatisfactory, the organisation’s participation may be rejected and the eligibility of the proposal may be reassessed.