Can Universities or research institutes apply to the EIC Accelerator? A Can Universities or research institutes apply to the EIC Accelerator? No, only for-profit spin-offs that are Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME), as well as small mid-caps (up to 499 employees), can obtain funding. It is generally also possible for entities yet to be established to apply as individuals to the EIC Accelerator but these must form a separate legal entity prior to obtaining the financing.