InnoMatch project - Open call 2 for EIC Awardees

In total, €2.28M will be offered in the context of the InnoMatch to support at least 38 pilot tests or proof of concept demonstrations, covering up to €60,000 per pilot, in the form of a lump sum. The InnoMatch funding is results-driven, provided as a lump sum.

Submission process:

1. The full documentation kit for this call is available at:

https://innomatchproject.eu/open-call-2-for-eic-awardees/

1. Only proposals submitted through the official open call submission tool - the F6S platform, and within the Call duration will be accepted: 

https://www.f6s.com/innomatch-oc2-for-eic-awardees/apply

1. Only the documentation that is required to be attached in the online application form will be considered during the evaluation.  
2. Personal data privacy during submission will be managed according to the InnoMatch open call 2 for EIC Awardees Guidelines for applicants available on the InnoMatch website: https://innomatchproject.eu/

The evaluation process has two main stages: 

1. Eligibility check - performed internally, by the InnoMatch partners.
2. Remote (external) evaluation - performed by external experts. 

After the eligibility check, the shortlisted applications will proceed to external (remote) evaluation where each proposal will be evaluated by two (2) external expert evaluators with relevant expertise and experience, bound by a confidentiality agreement and non-conflict of interest declaration. The evaluation criteria are described in detail in the open call Guidelines for applicants available on the InnoMatch website.

At the end of the evaluation, the applications that are scored above the threshold, and for which there is a significant divergence in the scores provided by the two evaluators, will be considered by them in consensus meetings. In case of doubts, need for additional clarifications, or ties the applicants will be interviewed. Finally, the proposals will be ranked taking into account the revised scores from the consensus process.

As a result, the Open Call for EIC Awardees will be selecting 4 pilots / PoCs. The applicants will be informed on the decision related to their applications via a dedicated email. The final list of funded third parties will also be published on the InnoMatch website.

The objective of this Open Call is to fund the pilot testing or proof-of-concept (PoC) demonstration of innovative solutions, tailored to the four (4) predefined Innovation Challenges of the InnoMatch Buyers.

It will facilitate the deployment of pilots or PoCs, pairing EIC Awardees with the preselected InnoMatch committed Buyers to test and validate innovative solutions in the Buyers’ premises, with the aim of optimising the potential post-pilot adoption of the innovative solutions.

About the InnoMatch project

InnoMatch is powered by the EIC Innovation Procurement Programme, an initiative of the European Innovation Council (EIC), that aims to facilitate access to procurement markets in Europe and at the global level, ensuring increased market opportunities for innovative SMEs and start-ups and contributing, at the same time, to their scaling up.

InnoMatch is a Coordination and Support Action (CSA) funded under the Horizon Europe Programme, GA Nr. 101165966. It was launched on 1 September 2024 and will be implemented over a period of 36 months.

Finding first customers is one of the main barriers that is hampering access to market and commercialisation of innovative solutions developed by innovative SMEs. To facilitate the uptake of innovation procurement, InnoMatch will support the pilot testing or proof-of-concept demonstration of innovative solutions provided by the EIC Awardees for public and private procurement customers (Buyers). 

The success rate of the pilots / PoCs will be increased by the tailored InnoMatch “Prepare, Deploy & Assess” Programme, which aims to guide and monitor the project deployment. Additional supporting activities for the EIC Awardees and the Buyers are foreseen to maximise impact and growth.