Missed the live webinar?
Don’t worry the replay is available for you to revisit the key guidance that can help your business turn innovation into impact through the EU Innovation Fund.
This session brought together Leyton’s European funding experts to share practical advice, success stories, and essential steps for preparing a compelling and competitive application.
What did the attendees learn?
- How the EU Innovation Fund works: what it supports, who can apply, and which sectors are prioritized.
- What you need to know before starting your application: from verifying eligibility to establishing project maturity.
- How to manage key players and partnerships: defining clear roles with consortium partners, suppliers, offtakers, and technology providers.
- Tips for building a winning file: including innovation scoring, GHG avoidance criteria, replicability, and financial maturity.
- General best practices and “inside” tips to maximize your success chances
What advantages does it bring to your company?
- Gain insider knowledge on how to frame your project for success in EU-level competitions.
- Learn how to transform your innovation into measurable decarbonization impact.
- Identify the optimal funding mechanism: large, medium, small-scale, pilot or manufacturing call.
- Enhance your financial and operational maturity to stand out during evaluation.
- Turn regulatory and technical complexity into a strategic funding opportunity.
Q&A / Highlights from the Webinar
Is funding dependent on company size?
No. Funding rates do not differ depending on company size. However, SMEs now benefit from a bonus point to encourage participation.
Can construction start before April 2026?
No. The project Financial Close and the milestones indicating the start of construction cannot be earlier than the proposal submission date.
How to strengthen financial maturity?
Secure letters of intent from investors and demonstrate readiness with banks or board-approved financing plans. Ensure that all financial assumptions are well underbuilt.
Can UK companies apply?
Yes, provided the project’s physical implementation is within EU or EEA territory. Projects in Northern Ireland are also eligible, but only when concerning the generation, transmission, distribution or supply of energy.
What’s the success ratio?
Success ratios differ among the calls, but all are highly competitive — ranging from 10–20% for the Large Scale topic to 20–35% for the other calls — which makes early preparation and expert support essential.
Expert Guidance: What Makes a Winning File?
- Have your key people available during proposal development.
- Appreciate the strategic value of the process itself — it clarifies your project and business vision.
- Continuously verify eligibility and adapt to policy or scoring updates.
- Maintain clear agreements with consortium members and suppliers.
- Align creativity with project realism (innovation is encouraged, but feasibility wins).