EU-wide network of pilot plants and testing facilities, improving SMEs and start-ups' access to scale-up

Submission & evaluation process

The COPILOT webpage will be the single entry point for all applications to the COPILOT - Open call 3 - Pitch Perfect 2 (OC3 – PP 2).

Application: fill in and submit the application form on COPILOT webpage

Eligibility & Technical check: COPILOT Consortium performs internal checks of the eligibility criteria of the applications (12/10/2026 to 15/10/2026)

Application evaluation: An evaluation board reviews the received applications, scoring them based on the evaluation criteria. The evaluators rank the applications and select the top-ranked projects in online interviews (16/10/2026 to 18/10/2026).

Announcement of the results: All applicants receive an email with approval or rejection of their application. The successful applicants start the onboarding phase in the COPILOT Programme (20/10/2026).

Other application requirements and considerations

1. Submission: Applications must be submitted via https://copilot-project.eu/open-calls/. Any other submission method will not be accepted.
2. Complete application: All mandatory questions must be answered and all requested documents must be uploaded. Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
3. Accept terms: Applicants must agree to the application's terms and conditions.
4. English language: All applications and programme communication must be in English. Document format: Unless otherwise agreed, all documents in all phases must be submitted electronically in PDF format without printing restrictions.
5. Deadline: Failure to submit the application by the submission deadline, regardless of cause (e.g., network issues, multiple browsers or windows), is not acceptable as an extenuating circumstance. It is recommended to apply well before the deadline.
6. Review future documents: Applicants are encouraged to get familiar with the documents that will be required in the contracting phase (see Section 5)
7. Applicants list: A full list of applicants containing their basic information will be created for statistical and transparency purposes, and shared with the European Commission.

The COPILOT – Open Calls is a competitive funding programme. Only one application per applicant (legal entity or natural person) can be submitted to Open Call 3 – PP 2. In the event of multiple submissions by an applicant, only the first application received (timestamp of the system) will enter the evaluation process. Any other submitted applications involving the same applicant will be declared non-eligible and will not be evaluated in any case. 

Applications open on 1st July 2026 and close on 10th October 2026.

More details regarding eligibility, application and timelines can be found on the COPILOT webpage, section Open Call Documents.

What do we offer?

The Pilots4U powered by COPILOT project co-organises the Pitch Perfect and Boost the European Bioeconomy 2026 event, organised from 30/11/2026 to 2/12/2026 at the Sheraton Brussels Airport. To facilitate access for start-ups/SMEs to this key European bioeconomy event, Pilot4U powered by COPILOT decided to issue an extra Call4-TRAVEL-VOUCHERS. The call will grant THIRTY (30) TRAVEL VOUCHERS, each worth €500, to start-ups or SMEs to attend and pitch their technologies at the Pitch Perfect and Boost the EU Bioeconomy 2026 event. The travel voucher can cover travel and/or accommodation.

Who can apply?

1. Bioeconomy innovators: start-ups, spin-offs, scale-ups and SMEs  

Additional requirements:

Applicants that already received funding under the COPILOT following open calls cannot apply for to OC3 Pitch Perfect 2:

OPEN CALL 1: Call4BioPlants,

OPEN CALL 2: Call4BioInnovators,

OPEN CALL 3 – Part 1: Call4TravelVouchers,

OPEN CALL 3 – Pitch Perfect: EXTRA Call4TravelVouchers ,

OPEN CALL 3 – PART 2: Call4TravelVouchers,

OPEN CALL 3 – BIOKET: EXTRA Call4TravelVouchers

●OC2 and OC3 Part 1, OC3 BIOKET andOC3 PP 1 cannot apply to OC3 PP 2. 

●Applicants can only receive/win one voucher. 

●Only entities located more than 300 km from Brussels are eligible to apply.  

●Submitted and confirmed pitch slot at the Pitch Perfect and Boost the European Bioeconomy 2026. 

Evaluation criteria:

Criteria 1: The applicants applying to the Voucher Network Program will have to answer a set of questions associated with the proposed activity. Their applications will be selected following the (i) what is the benefit of attending the event “Pitch Perfect and Boost the European Bioeconomy 2026” to your organisation / technology and (ii) what is the added value of Pilots4U powered by COPILOT platform and project activities for your organisation?   

Criteria 2 – 1 bonus point: Applicants are based in Central and Eastern Europe.

Criteria 3 - 1 bonus point: Applicants that represent start-ups founded at the latest in 2020.