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 to support early stage development of future technologies (e.g. various activities at low TRL 1-4), up to proof of concept and booster grants for complementary activities:
- Grants - grants of up to EUR 4 million or more if duly justified
- Booster grants - grants of a fixed amount not exceeding EUR 50 000 for testing the commercialisation 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 2026 is €96 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 2026 is €166 million
Pathfinder Open 2026
This document presents the 2026 European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. It sets out how the EIC will allocate its funding of for the year 2026 and has been prepared following the advice of the EIC Board.
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, small and larger 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 solving a challenge in 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: 12 May 2026
- EIC Pathfinder Challenges: 28 October 2026
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
Two partners from the EIC Pathfinder-funded projects were among the winners of the Innovation Rader Prize
The Board endorses the 2026 work programme as the pivotal milestone in advancing Europe's deep-tech and scale-up ambitions.
667 project proposals received for its 29 October 2025 EIC Pathfinder Challenges deadline.
44 new EIC Pathfinder projects set to receive over €140 million in EU funding.
The European Innovation Council (EIC) has received a record-breaking 2,087 project proposals under the EIC Pathfinder Open 2025 call...
EISMEA has launched a call for tenders on Access to expertise and training through EIC Tech to Market training programme and venture building activities