EIT Food Proof of Concept: up to EUR 60,000 to test agrifood innovation

EIT Food, the agrifood branch of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, has established the Proof-of-Concept Co-Financing Instrument. The mechanism is designed to de-risk commercial testing between agrifood technology innovators and corporate industry partners.

The instrument supports proof-of-concept validations and small-scale pilot initiatives with total project costs below €100,000. EIT Food covers 100% of the startup’s project costs through a non-dilutive sub-grant, subsequently invoicing the corporate partner for 60% of the total cost (up to €60,000).

Eligible participants include startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and research organizations from Horizon Europe associated countries, including Ukraine. Applications are reviewed across defined cut-off dates leading up to the final call deadline.

What is funded

The instrument finances collaborative experiments strictly focused on delivering a proof of concept or a small-scale pilot project. Eligible activities include sample creation, field trials, functionality and property tests, and comprehensive efficiency assessments.

All proposed initiatives must present a well-defined pathway toward commercial implementation. The testing phase is intended to serve as a preliminary validation step, paving the way toward larger commercial rollouts or formal supply-chain integration.

Eligible applicants and partners

The primary beneficiary must be an agrifood startup, SME, or research organization legally established in a country participating in Horizon Europe, such as Ukraine. The applicant serves as the sole recipient of the direct sub-grant funding.

Collaborations must involve a corporate client capable of testing the solution under real conditions. To qualify as an eligible counterpart, the corporate partner must be larger than an SME as defined by the European Commission. Collaborations with universities or Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) are explicitly ineligible.

Financial conditions and structure

Proposed projects must maintain total operational costs under €100,000. EIT Food covers 100% of the startup’s approved project expenditure, meaning the innovator is not required to contribute co-funding, surrender equity, or repay the funds.

Financial risk is shared with industry through a separate arrangement. EIT Food executes a formal service agreement directly with the corporate client, invoicing the partner for 60% of the total project costs, capped at €60,000.

Application and evaluation process

Applications must be submitted through the EIT Food open calls system alongside required documentation, such as the budget plan and draft agreement templates. Proposals undergo competitive evaluation by independent expert panels following periodic cut-off dates.

Practical tip. Align closely with your prospective corporate client well before submission to confirm they exceed standard SME thresholds and agree to the 60% co-financing invoice terms. A clear, pre-negotiated trial scope accelerates approval and prevents administrative delays during contracting.

Applications are submitted on the donor’s page: eitfood.eu.