EIC Pathfinder

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 The EIC Pathfinder Programme of the European Innovation Council (EIC) is a funding initiative within Horizon Europe designed to support research teams in developing breakthrough technologies. The programme provides support for early-stage scientific, technological and deep-tech research and development, fostering innovative new lines of research with the potential to transform markets and generate new opportunities.

The main objective of the EIC Pathfinder is to lay the scientific foundation on which disruptive technologies are built. It therefore funds high-risk, high-reward research that seeks to establish novel technological solutions, driving Europe’s leadership in disruptive innovations. The maximum funding per proposal is up to €4 million, with an aid intensity of 100%.

Eligibility Requirements and Proposals

Proposals must be submitted by consortia composed of at least three independent legal entities:

  • At least one legal entity established in an EU Member State.
  • At least two other independent legal entities established in different Member States or Associated Countries.
  • Individual applicants or small consortia (two partners) are allowed only for EIC Pathfinder Challenges.

To be eligible, proposals must meet the following essential characteristics: “Gatekeepers’:

  • Ambitious and long term vision: to put forward radically new technologies that address global challenges.
  • High-risk, high-reward research: Aimed at laying the foundations for disruptive technologies.
  • Innovative scientific and technological approach: Projects should lead to high-level scientific publications and adequate intellectual property protection.
  • Fundamental research: To introduce new lines of research leading to technologies not yet established.
  • Collaborative and interdisciplinary research: Encourage cooperation between different scientific and technological fields.
  • Gender balance: Promote the participation of female researchers and ensure balanced leadership in the work packages.
  • Technology Readiness Level (TRL): Projects must remain below TRL 5 at the end of the funding period, focusing on proof-of-concept developments for new technologies.

The EIC Pathfinder encourages researchers and innovators to come up with visionary ideas that go beyond incremental improvements in existing technologies. By fostering pioneering research, the programme aims to define the scientific and technological paradigms of the future in Europe.

The programme provides two main types of funding schemes:

  • EIC Pathfinder-Open: supports projects in any field of science, technology or application without pre-defined thematic priorities (‘bottom-up’ approach).
  • EIC Pathfinder-Challenges: Supports projects in pre-defined thematic areas with the aim of achieving concrete technological breakthroughs.

EIC Pathfinder 2025 Challenges

Pathfinder’s current challenges for 2025 include:

  • Biotechnology for climate-resilient crops and plant-based bio-manufacturing: Improve adaptation pathways for climate-resilient crops and develop alternative production processes for high-value plant-based ingredients.
  • Generative AI agents for cancer diagnosis and treatment: Develop autonomous AI-powered agents to provide clinicians with a holistic view of patient care through multidimensional medical imaging and health data.
  • Autonomous robot collectives for construction: Fostering the collaboration of multiple robots to execute complex construction tasks in dynamic and unstructured environments, advancing robotic automation and electrification.
  • Waste valorisation devices: Develop circular production technologies to convert problematic waste streams (e.g. plastics, flue gas, wastewater) into renewable fuels, chemicals and materials.

Name

Opening date

Next deadline

Deadline model

Link

EIC Pathfinder Open

1 January 2025

21 May 2025

single-stage

Link

EIC Pathfinder Challenges

1 January 2025

29 October 2025

single-stage

Link

Scope: Europe

Maximum grant: 4.000.000 €

Organisation : European Commission

Nature of the project: Business Development - R&D

More information

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FIND OUT WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT OUR WORK​

Vaidas Palinauskas
Nature Research Centre
A perfect example of a 3 in 1 company: smooth process, professional and pleasant to work with.
Elena Casiraghi
Università degli Studi di MIlano
Kindness, experience, ability to understanding and integrate different research languages/views
Manuel Menéndez Muñiz
VIAS
Very close team and well managed.
Jose Manuel Rodriguez
ITAINNOVA
Well organized work, with filtered request to what really matters.
David Martín Gómez
- Charles III University of Madrid
I would like to point out that the elaboration of the proposal was steered with a lot of detail and efficiency.
Tania Tisheva
BGRF
It was great meeting you and I am looking forward to working with you in the future. The professionalism of your team is excellent. I am very thankful for the guidance and cooperation during the whole process.
Alberta Aversa
Politecnico di Torino
cooperation rapid and effective.
Samuel Martínez
Circular in Motion B.V.
Excellent team in place which has been instrumental in assisting the creation of a robust application, which otherwise would have been very difficult for us to complete it. Their understanding of the process, deliverables required, and key areas to consider, is essential to increase the application success probability.
Daniel Edenholm
Sysarb AB
We would not have come this far without your help.
Fleming Pedersen Dambo
Staccato Technologies
I couldn't have done the application without the support from Euro-Funding Their expertise and guidance was invaluable.
Klas Ehnemark
Knowing Company
Very positive to have strength in both business development and technology at the same time. Now we have a really good business plan.
Pablo Pérez
AQUACORP
The experience of working with Euro-Funding has been both exciting and demanding because. The level of the consultants has been professional from an emotional intelligence and technical speaking perspective.
Manuel Grases
Flexofibers
I would recommend working with Euro-Funding. The level of professionalism is evident in the company. The process was exactly what we required.
Cristina Ferreras
Venter Pharma
Euro-Funding helped us in a very professional and efficient way in all the steps of the preparation of the proposal. We consider the proposal to be of a very high standard. Without their help, we would not have been able to have the proposal in time and with such high quality.
Mátyás Péter
Medres Kft. / Cardiosight Ltd.
Despite a tight deadline, the team at Euro-Funding managed to accomplish the task and delivered an excellent grant proposal. It was a pleasure working with them.

This grant must have as beneficiaries legal entities as for example universities, research organisations, SMEs, start-ups, industrial partners or natural persons. There are usually 3 to 5 multidisciplinary partners.

In the open call, proposals must be submitted by the coordinator, on behalf of a consortium including as beneficiaries at least three legal entities, independent from each other and each established in a different country as follows: at least 1 legal entity established in a Member State; and at least 2 other independent legal entities, each established in different Member States or Associated Countries.

In the challenges call, single legal entities established in a Member State or an Associated Country could also apply (mid-caps and larger companies will not be permitted). Also, small consortia of two entities, that must be two independent legal entities from two different Member States or Associated Countries.

Projects funded through EIC Pathfinder are eligible to receive additional EIC Booster grants with fixed amounts of up to €50,000 to undertake complementary activities to explore potential commercialisation pathways or for portfolio activities; submit an EIC Transition proposal; submit an EIC Accelerator proposal through the fast track system; to participate in ‘Next Generation Innovation Talents’ scheme. In addition to funding, successful applicants will receive free access to a wide range of Business Accelerator Services.

This is a grant for a research and innovation action covering the eligible costs necessary for the implementation of your project. For the open call, the EIC considers proposals requesting an EU contribution of up to EUR 3 million as appropriate; 4 million for the challenge call.

However, this does not preclude applying for higher amounts, if adequately justified. The funding rate of this grant will be 100% of the eligible costs.

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