The SME instrument is part of the Horizon 2020 programme and finances innovative ideas with great market potential. The instrument is divided in three phases, with the aim of transforming disruptive ideas into concrete, innovative solutions with a European and global impact.
2666 proposals have been submitted for the first cut-off date (closed on 18 June 2014).
The open disruptive innovation scheme attracted most of the proposals (885), followed by low carbon energy systems (372), nanotechnologies (305) and eco-innovation/raw materials (241). The general expected success rate for applications in this cut-off date is of 6.2%.
Italy led the number of applications (436), with Spain as a close second (420), followed by the United Kingdom (232), Germany (188), France (167) and Hungary (166).
The majority of SMEs applied individually. In case of consortia, the majority were composed of two SMEs.
The EASME plans to close the evaluation phase by the end of July 2014.
