Not always. Of the 1,431 calls open today, 727 accept a single company and 421 need partners; the other 283 do not say. The rule depends on the programme: the EIC Accelerator is for one company, Eurostars needs at least two partners from two countries, and most Horizon Europe calls need three from different countries.
By programme
- EIC Accelerator
- A single company
- Eurostars
- At least two independent entities from at least two Eurostars countries, led by an innovative SME. SMEs carry 50% or more of the project cost, and no partner more than 70%.
- Horizon Europe
- Most calls: at least three partner organisations from different countries. 19 of 377 open calls accept a single company.
- National schemes
- 660 of 909 open schemes accept a single company
Are you an SME?
The EIC Accelerator and Eurostars are built around SMEs as the EU defines them (Recommendation 2003/361): fewer than 250 staff, and either a turnover of €50 million or less or a balance sheet of €43 million or less. Small is under 50 staff and €10 million; micro is under 10 staff and €2 million. If your company belongs to a group, the parent's figures can count too.
Questions
Can I join a consortium someone else is building?
Yes. A consortium is put together by its coordinator, and a partner does not have to lead. You still have to be an eligible legal entity in an eligible country for that call.
What does “does not say” mean?
The call text does not state whether a single applicant is allowed. The call's own conditions on the EU portal are the authority, and every call page here links to them.