European Innovation Council (EIC) Information Day, February 10, 2026, Istanbul

On February 10, 2026, the European Innovation Council (EIC) Information Day will be held in Istanbul, as part of the Horizon Europe Turkey Technical Support Project and hosted by TÜBİTAK National Contact Points.

The European Innovation Council (EIC) is the flagship initiative of the Innovative Europe component of the Horizon Europe Programme. This Information Day, organized for the 2026 Work Programme, will share up-to-date information on new priorities, including the “Advanced Innovation Challenges Pilot Call”; and will offer practical guidance on the strategies to follow in the application processes for the Pathfinder, Transition, and Accelerator programmes.

Who Should Attend?

EIC programmes are specifically designed for actors pushing the boundaries of science and technology. This event is particularly recommended for the following stakeholders:

Deep-Tech Innovators: Start-ups and SMEs developing high-risk, high-impact technologies with the potential to create new markets or transform existing ones.

Academic Researchers and Scientists: Academics who have produced groundbreaking scientific work and possess the vision to commercialize and bring this work to market.

Research Institutions and TTOs: Technology transfer offices and research institutions aiming to transform laboratory-scale innovations into scalable business models.

Why Participate?

This Information Day is designed as a high-impact, application-oriented training event aimed at providing the technical knowledge and strategic perspective needed in the process of accessing EIC funds. The program includes:

Expert Mentoring: Direct interaction with international experts and project experts

In-depth Sessions: Special sessions focusing on the “ARPA-style” application approach for new Advanced Innovation Challenges

Networking and One-on-One Meetings: Structured networking opportunities to support potential collaborations, and one-on-one Q&A sessions with EIC and project experts, accompanied by TÜBİTAK National Contact Points

Event Details

Date: February 10, 2026

Location: Istanbul (Event venue will be announced separately to registered participants)

Format: Hybrid (Physical participation is limited)

Language: English (Simultaneous translation will not be provided)

Highlights from the Agenda

Strategic Framework: EIC's position within the Horizon Europe ecosystem

EIC Vision 2026: Detailed evaluation of the budget structure and the new Pilot Call

Pathfinder & Transition: Transition from research to technology development

Advanced Innovation Challenges Pilot: Accelerated application roadmap and phased budgeting

EIC Accelerator & STEP Scale Up: Scaling strategies, grant-equity balance, and investor expectations

Case Study: Practical insights and project writing strategies through successful examples

You can access the detailed agenda here: TRinHE-EIC Info Day- Agenda.pdf

Registration

Participation in the event is free, but pre-registration is mandatory. Participants must indicate their preference for physical or online participation during registration. For physical participation, registrations must be confirmed separately by the Project Team via email. The access link for online participants will be sent via email 3 days before the event.

To register: https://forms.gle/Ew4TNUuD3P1kd1Th8

Note: Due to the format of the event, participants are expected to cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. Detailed venue information will be shared separately with those whose participation is confirmed.

We would be pleased to welcome you to Istanbul and support you on your journey to transform your innovative ideas into global impact.

For technical questions: ncpeic@tubitak.gov.tr

For questions regarding registration and participation: horizoneurope.events@sistemglobal.com.tr