What is the Seal of Excellence?

The Seal of Excellence is a quality label first introduced during Horizon 2020, the EU’s research and innovation framework programme (2014-2020). It has gradually become a key instrument to create synergies.

The Seal of Excellence is awarded to project proposals submitted under a Horizon Europe call for proposals and ranked above a predefined quality thresholds but were not funded by Horizon Europe due to budgetary constraints.

With this label the Commission recognise the value of project proposals and encourage other funding organisations to take advantage of the high-quality Horizon Europe evaluation process.

The Seal of Excellence certificate indicates basic information on the proposal, the call and the applicant(s). It is signed by Commissioner for Research and Innovation and Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms. It represents a formal acknowledgement of the quality of the proposals and it demonstrates political commitment to build effective synergies with other funding instruments. It is unique and safe. It is digitally sealed against fraud, as is the project proposal and evaluation summary report.

Under Horizon Europe (2021-2027), improvements regarding quality and support to implementation of the Seal of Excellence are foreseen . The uptake of the Seal of Excellence in Structural Funds programmes is further promoted in the context of reinforcing synergies between the research and innovation framework programmes and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). For example, with the guidance document ‘Notice on synergies between ERDF programmes and Horizon Europe’, as well as through enhancing information flow on the Seal of Excellence project proposals.

Seal of Excellence is currently awarded to proposals that apply under:

• EIC Accelerator
• EIC Transition (only individual SME applicants are eligible for Seal of Excellence)
• Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (MSCA) postdoctoral fellowships
• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND
• Teaming
• Horizon Europe Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change
• ERC Proof of Concept

How to receive and use the Seal of Excellence

Receiving the Seal of Excellence

How seal holders can use the Seal of Excellence

How funding bodies can use the Seal of Excellence

Funding opportunities

Funding opportunities for Seal EIC Accelerator proposals

National/regional funding opportunities for Seal MSCA proposals

Information for funding bodies

Useful links for funding bodies

• regional policy: research and innovation
• Community of Practice

Useful links for Seal of Excellence holders

• National Contact Points
• InvestEU Portal
• Invest Horizon: Online courses, coaching, Investment Forum events
• Access2EIC Online Community: connect with other Seal of Excellence SMEs and find investors
• Enterprise Europe Network (EEN): EIC Seal of Excellence holders receive training, guidance and advisory services to obtain alternative funding at regional and national level, and to connect with key partners