What is the EIC Pathfinder ?
The EIC Pathfinder is a funding programme under Horizon Europe that offers support to research teams by:
- funding research to develop the scientific basis to underpin breakthrough technologies
- supporting the earliest stages of scientific, technological or deep-tech R&D
- aiming to build on new, cutting-edge directions in science and technology to disrupt a field and a market or create new opportunities
- realising innovative technological solutions to identify, develop and scale up breakthrough technologies and disruptive innovations in Europe
- Grant funding
Grants of up to 3 to 4 million euro to support early stage development of future technologies (e.g. various activities at low TRL 1-3), up to proof of concept.
- Pathfinder Challenges - grants of up to EUR 4 million or more if duly justified
- Pathfinder Open - grants of up to EUR 3 million or more if duly justified
Pathfinder projects can also receive additional funding for testing the innovation potential of their research outputs.
- Extensive support
Access to a range of tailor-made Business Acceleration Services (BAS) for beneficiaries:
- Access to global partners
- Access to coaches, mentors, expertise and training
- Access to innovation ecosystem and peers
- EIC Pathfinder Challenges
For projects that match any of the predefined thematic areas of the Pathfinder Challenges. The overall budget for the EIC Pathfinder Challenges in 2024 is €120 millions.
- EIC Pathfinder Open
For projects in any field of science, technology or application without predefined thematic priorities.
The overall budget for the EIC Pathfinder Open in 2024 is €136 million
Pathfinder Open 2024
The European Innovation Council work programme 2024 opens funding opportunities worth over €1.2 billion for strategic technologies and scaling up companies. The majority is dedicated to SMEs and start-ups to develop and scale up “deep tech” innovations in critical fields such as generative artificial intelligence (AI), space, critical raw materials, semiconductors and quantum technologies.
Who can apply?
Consortia from EU Member States and countries associated to the Horizon Europe programme
- Consortia of at least three different independent legal entities
- At least one legal entity established in a Member State
- At least two other independent legal entities, each established in different Member States or Associated Countries
- Additionally, single applicants or small consortia (two partners) for EIC Pathfinder Challenges only.
Requirements
Your proposal must meet all the following essential characteristics:
- Convincing long-term vision of a radically new technology that has the potential to have a transformative positive effect to our economy and society.
- Concrete, novel and ambitious science-towards-technology breakthrough, providing advancement towards the envisioned technology.
- High-risk/high-gain research approach and methodology, with concrete and plausible objectives.
How to apply ?
You must submit your proposal via the Funding and Tender Opportunities Portal before the given deadline.
Deadline for submitting your proposal:
- EIC Pathfinder Open: 7 March 2024
- EIC Pathfinder Challenges: 16 October 2024
Additional opportunities
- Fast Track scheme
The Fast Track scheme allows specific treatment of proposals that result from existing Horizon Europe (including the EIC Pathfinder) to submit directly to the full application stage of the EIC Accelerator.
- Hop On facility
The Hop On facility allows research institutions from widening countries to join already ongoing R&I actions under the EIC Pathfinder and the Horizon Europe Pillar 2.
EIC Pathfinder portfolio Strategic Plans
The Programme Managers proactively manage EIC portfolios. The specific portfolio objectives and activities are incorporated in the Strategic Plans for each EIC Pathfinder Challenge portfolio which are stored here.
Do you need help ?
- NCPs
The network of National Contact Points (NCPs) is the main structure to provide guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in Horizon Europe.
- FAQs
Find answers to questions frequently asked by applicants about types of funding, eligibility, submission of proposals and much more
- BAS
All EIC supported projects and companies get access to coaching, mentoring, partnering and other EIC Business Acceleration Services (BAS).
News
45 new projects will receive altogether up to €138 million and will develop cutting-edge technologies throughout a wide range of fields.
Three new deep-tech experts join the EIC!
Join the EIC at the biggest European conference dedicated to renewable energy and efficient energy use – the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2024
Find out about all achievements and great successes of the EIC Summit 2024
The report focuses on the Horizon Europe portfolio of approximately 500 start-ups, 275 advanced research projects, and 140 projects commercialising research results funded in 2021-2023, along with the longer-term impacts of projects/companies supported during the EIC pilot phase and its predecessor.
The Commission has selected 43 new projects to receive €159 million of EU Funding under Pathfinder Challenges 2023, while Pathfinder Open 2024 has closed with high interest receiving 1119 proposals submitted from 64 countries.