The European Innovation Council (EIC) received 415 project proposals for its 16 October 2024 EIC Pathfinder Challenges deadline. The 415 proposals included a total of 2308 participants and requested €2.3 billion in grant support.
The proposals are divided over the five EIC Pathfinder Challenges as follows:
- 86 proposals under Solar-to-X devices
- 80 proposals under Towards cement and concrete as a carbon sink
- 105 proposals under Nature inspired alternatives for food packaging and films for agriculture
- 76 proposals under Nanoelectronics for energy-efficient smart edge devices
- 67 proposals under Strengthening the sustainability and resilience of EU space infrastructure.
Applicants are coming from 48 countries. The total indicative budget for this call is €120 million which is expected to be allocated in approximately equal shares across the Challenges. The evaluation process has begun, and the results will be available in March 2025.
Background information
With its Pathfinder programme, the EIC supports the exploration of bold ideas for radically new technologies. It welcomes the high-risk/high gain and interdisciplinary cutting-edge science collaborations that underpin technological breakthroughs.
The EIC Pathfinder Challenges provides funding for projects with thematic priorities. Grants of up to €4 million support early-stage development of future technologies (e.g. various activities at low Technology Readiness Levels 1-3), up to proof of concept. Pathfinder projects benefit from interactions with EIC Programme Managers and can receive additional funding for testing the innovation potential of their research outputs or for working across projects for portfolio actions.
More information
Details
- Publication date
- 23 October 2024
- Author
- European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency