Features
The Commission’s EIC Pathfinder program supports early-stage, disruptive technological innovations with revolutionary potential.
From the conception of an idea to proof of concept (TRL 1–4), the EIC Pathfinder, as part of the EIC’s Horizon Europe work program, funds innovative technologies with a transformative impact. It offers two funding options: Open and Challenges, the latter of which is aimed at specific objectives defined by the EIC and is currently open for applications.
Requirements:
The budget is 96 million euros, and the topics are: specific challenges of EIC Pathfinder.
The following is a list of topics with links:
- Pathfinder Challenge 1: Advanced Materials for Miniaturized Energy Harvesting Systems: to support the next generation of energy-autonomous systems and IoT devices. Advanced Materials for Miniaturized Energy Harvesting Systems.
- Pathfinder Challenge 2: Biotechnology for Healthy Aging: Develop biotechnological or pharmaceutical interventions to prevent, delay, or reverse age-related diseases. Biotechnology for Healthy Aging
- Pathfinder Challenge 3: DeepRAP: Deep Reasoning, Abstraction, and Planning for Trustworthy Cognitive AI Systems: Promoting trustworthy cognitive AI through deep reasoning, abstraction, and planning. DeepRAP: Deep Reasoning, Abstraction & Planning towards trustworthy Cognitive AI Systems
They are European consortia consisting of at least two entities from different countries or a single legal entity established in a Member State or an associated country.
Eligible applicants include: research organizations and universities, as well as startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing high-risk, high-impact technologies.
Mid- and large-cap companies may not apply as lead applicants.
Proposals are scored (0–5) based on three criteria:
- Excellence: ambition, innovation, and a high-risk/high-return vision.
- Impact: potential to lay new foundations for innovative technologies.
- Implementation: quality of the consortium and the work plan.
Tie-breaking criteria: higher scores for excellence and impact, gender balance, and participation by SMEs and countries with the highest participation rates.
All essential research-related expenses, including those for personnel, equipment, travel, and subcontracting, are covered under the lump-sum grant.
Submission Deadline
The deadline is October 28, 2026.