What TRL do I need for the EIC Accelerator?

The grant component generally targets technologies from around TRL 5/6 upward to TRL 8, with the equity component supporting further scale-up. Each work programme states the exact expectations — verify the current one.

How do I justify a TRL claim in a proposal?

By evidence matched to the level's definition: test reports, environment descriptions, demonstrator results. Evaluators check whether the claimed level's verification environment (lab / relevant / operational) is actually documented.

What is TRL?

Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is a nine-step scale describing how mature a technology is — from TRL 1 (basic principles observed) to TRL 9 (system proven in operational environment). Originating at NASA and adopted across EU and ESA programmes, TRL is the shared language funding calls use to say what stage of technology they pay for.

The scale in one table

TRL	Meaning (short)
1-2	Principles observed; concept formulated
3-4	Proof of concept; lab validation
5-6	Validation / demonstration in relevant environment
7-8	Demonstration in operational environment; system complete and qualified
9	Proven in operational environment

Why it decides your funding route

Calls state TRL ranges: OSIP instruments live at low TRL, Horizon Europe Cluster 4 topics state expected start/end TRL, the EIC Accelerator grant expects roughly TRL 5/6+. Claiming the wrong level is a classic rejection reason — in space programmes, evaluators read TRL claims against the environment you actually tested in.

Official reference: the EU's TRL definitions in Horizon Europe work-programme annexes (EU Funding & Tenders Portal).

Written by Tymofiy Badikov, founder of VIRA.space (Virtual Innovation Research Assistant) — operated by Space Tech Gateway Sp. z o.o., Kraków Technology Park. VIRA tracks live European space funding calls and checks your eligibility free: see live tenders.