Horizon 2020: Fast Track to Innovation Pilot now open
EU funding opportunities 12 January 2015
On January 6, the first call for proposals Fast Track to Innovation Pilot (FTIPilot-2015-1) has been opened.
The FTI pilot supports innovation projects from demonstration to market deployment. It is the only instrument of Horizon 2020 applied with a bottom-up logic, open to all categories of participants and aimed to promote innovation close-to-market.
The resources allocated amount to 100 million euro. The call is open to public and private organizations in the Member States, which may present innovative projects in any field of research, using trans-disciplinary and inter-sectoral approaches.
Projects must meet the challenges posed by the “Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies” (LEIT), have a strong commercial fallout and encourage the creation of new jobs .
Another key objective is to stimulate the private sector investment through the participation of industries, SMEs and first-time applicants in Horizon 2020.
Proposals must be submitted by consortia consisting of a maximum of five legal entities, established in at least three different Member States or countries associated to Horizon 2020.
Projects should include a business plan that describes:
• the market potential,
• business opportunities for participants,
• measures to improve the probability of commercialization and placing on the market,
• a credible marketing strategy.
The EU contribution for universities and SMEs is equal to 100% of eligible direct costs, whereas for large industries direct costs are covered up to 70%.
Applications may be submitted until 1 December 2015, with the following cut-off date assessments: 29 April 2015 and 1st September 2015.
Further information on the call for proposal are available at the following address:
