BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam//NONSGML v1.0//EN
NAME:Advance Innovation Challenge information session, IXA-GO
METHOD:PUBLISH
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART:20251208T000000
DTEND:20251208T235900
DTSTAMP:20251208T000000
UID:2025/advance-innovation-challe@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573
CREATED:20260407T065154
LOCATION:
SUMMARY:Advance Innovation Challenge information session, IXA-GO
X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html: The European Innovation
Council (EIC) has launched a pilot initiative under the 2026 Work Pr
ogramme: Advanced Innovation Challenges (AIC). This ARPA-inspired sch
eme aims to accelerate high-risk, deep-tech innovation in areas where
Europe has strong research but limited commercial uptake.
What is AIC?
AIC supports bold, challenge-driven pro
jects through a two-stage funding model:
Stage 1 (2026): Lump-sum grants of €300,
000 for exploratory studies and feasibility assessment (up t
o 9 months). Deadline: 26th February 2026 -
Stage 2 (2027): Follow-up grants up to €2.
5 million for prototyping and user testing of the most promi
sing ideas. Deadline: 18th June 2027
2026 Challenges:
- Accelerating Phys
ical AI: Embodied intelligence for next-generation AI-powere
d robotics.
- Translating Disruptive New Approach Met
hodologies into Practice: Innovative solutions for life scie
nces and health technologies.
Who can apply?
- Stage 1: Mono-beneficiaries or sma
ll consortia (universities, research organisations, SMEs, start-ups,
spin-offs).
- Stage 2: Selected projects fro
m Stage 1, with potential for small consortia.
Wh
at to Expect
Gain insights into:
- AIC Challen
ges
- Support provided by IXA-GO
- Writing the busine
ss plan and impact section
- Q&A with IXA-GO grant adviso
rs
Session
- Monday,
December 08 – HG 1E-53, Hoofdgebouw, VU campus (11:00–12
:00 hr) & online
- Register here
DESCRIPTION: What is AIC?
AIC supports bold, chall
enge-driven projects through a two-stage funding model: - Stage 1 (2026): Lump-sum grants of €300,000
for exploratory studies and feasibility asse
ssment (up to 9 months). Deadline: 26th February 2026 Stage 2 (2027): Follow-up grants up to <
strong>€2.5 million for prototyping and user testing of th
e most promising ideas. Deadline: 18th June 2027 2026 Challenges: - Accelerati
ng Physical AI: Embodied intelligence for next-generation AI
-powered robotics.
- Translating Disruptive New Appro
ach Methodologies into Practice: Innovative solutions for li
fe sciences and health technologies.
Who can apply?
- Stage 1: Mono-beneficiaries or s
mall consortia (universities, research organisations, SMEs, start-ups
, spin-offs).
- Stage 2: Selected projects f
rom Stage 1, with potential for small consortia.
Wh
at to Expect
Gain insights into: - AIC Challenges
- Support provided by IXA-GO
- Writing the business
plan and impact section
- Q&A with IXA-GO grant advisors<
/li>
Session - Monday, December
08 – HG 1E-53, Hoofdgebouw, VU campus (11:00–12:00 hr)
& online
- Register here
The European Innovation Council (EIC) has launched a pilot initiativ
e under the 2026 Work Programme: Advanced Innovation Challenges (AIC)
. This ARPA-inspired scheme aims to accelerate high-risk, deep-tech i
nnovation in areas where Europe has strong research but limited comme
rcial uptake.
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