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EIC Pathfinder is sponsored by European Innovation Council. Supports research teams in developing breakthrough technologies with high scientific and technological ambition, aiming to create new markets.
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EIC Pathfinder - European Innovation Council - European Commission What for Deep tech projects Taking forward breakthrough deep tech projects with a high degree of scientific and technological ambition and risk and potential to create a new market (TRL 1-4) Who can apply Research teams Consortia of at least 3 different independent legal entities established in different countries or single applicants (Pathfinder Challenges only) What you get Grants and support Grants of up to EUR 4 million, booster grants (EUR 50 000), coaching & mentoring, networking.
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 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 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 . Pathfinder Challenges 2026 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 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.
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 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 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 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.
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. 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.
Find your National Contact Point Find answers to questions frequently asked by applicants about types of funding, eligibility, submission of proposals and much more Browse the frequently asked questions All EIC supported projects and companies get access to coaching, mentoring, partnering and other EIC Business Acceleration Services (BAS).
EIC Pathfinder Open 2026 call continues to attract strong interest from the research community EIC awards €118 million to 30 breakthrough research projects under EIC Pathfinder Challenges The European Innovation Council has selected 30 new projects under the 2025 EIC Pathfinder Challenges Call...
EIC Pathfinder and Accelerator projects among the winners of the Innovation Radar Prize Two partners from the EIC Pathfinder-funded projects were among the winners of the Innovation Rader Prize EIC Board welcomes the 2026 work programme The Board endorses the 2026 work programme as the pivotal milestone in advancing Europe's deep-tech and scale-up ambitions.
Strong participation in 2025 EIC Pathfinder Challenges call 667 project proposals received for its 29 October 2025 EIC Pathfinder Challenges deadline. Over €140 million awarded under EIC Pathfinder 2025 to turn visionary science into breakthrough innovation 44 new EIC Pathfinder projects set to receive over €140 million in EU funding.
Key questions and narrative sections extracted from the solicitation.
Describe the long-term vision of a radically new technology with transformative potential.
Present the concrete, novel, and ambitious science-towards-technology breakthrough the project aims to achieve.
Explain the high-risk/high-gain research methodology and how objectives are plausible.
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Consortia of at least 3 independent legal entities from different countries or single applicants (Pathfinder Challenges only). Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Funding amounts vary based on project scope and sponsor guidance. Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is May 12, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
EIC Accelerator Challenges: Deep Tech for Climate Adaptation is a funding program from the European Innovation Council (EIC) that funds startups and SMEs developing innovative deep-tech solutions to help Europe adapt to key climate risks, including heat and mortality, food systems disruption, water scarcity, and flooding. The program supports commercially scalable technologies addressing climate adaptation across the four IPCC-identified key risks for Europe. Eligible applicants are startups and small and medium-sized enterprises based in EU member states or ERC-associated countries. Awards include up to EUR 2.5 million in grants and up to EUR 15 million in equity investment. The application deadline is May 6, 2026.
EIC Accelerator Challenge: Boosting the European Critical Raw Materials Value Chain is a grant from the European Innovation Council that funds start-ups and SMEs developing breakthrough technologies to strengthen the EU's critical raw materials supply chain. This challenge is one of several under the 2026 EIC Accelerator Challenges program, which has a total budget of EUR 220 million across all topics. Indicative budgets per challenge range from EUR 20 million to EUR 50 million. The deadline for proposals is May 6, 2026. Eligibility is limited to start-ups, SMEs, and in exceptional cases small mid-caps with up to 500 employees whose innovations address the predefined challenge topic.
EIC Accelerator (Open Call) is sponsored by European Innovation Council (under Horizon Europe). The EIC Accelerator supports startups and SMEs to bring technologies and innovations to market and scale globally. It targets projects with the capacity to create new markets or disrupt existing ones, with an open call for proposals in any field of technology.
Digital Cities' Innovation Accelerator Small Grant Program is sponsored by U.S. State Department's Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy (CDP). These small grants activate the private sector to deliver novel and innovative solutions to civic challenges. Projects must address a sub-national public service or infrastructure need AND incorporate trusted U.S. digital based solutions, empowering municipalities to improve public service delivery.
This NOFO provides an opportunity to all FY 2018 NIST SBIR Phase I awardees to submit a Phase II application following completion of Phase I. This NOFO provides instructions for FY 2019 NIST SBIR Phase II application preparation and submission requirements. In Phase II, work from Phase I that exhibits potential for commercial application is further developed. Phase II is the R&D or prototype development phase. To apply for a Phase II award, each Phase I awardee will be required to submit a comprehensive application outlining the proposed research and a detailed plan to commercialize the final product. Each NIST Phase II award is for up to $400,000 and up to a 24-month period of performance. One year after completing the Phase II R&D activity, the awardee shall be required to report on its commercialization activities. Up to an additional $6,500 may be requested for Technical and Business Assistance (TABA); see Section 5.11 for more information about TABA. Funding Opportunity Number: 2019-NIST-SBIR-02. Assistance Listing: 11.620. Funding Instrument: CA. Category: ST. Award Amount: Up to $400K per award.
Research on Circular Economy, Smart Manufacturing, and Energy-Efficient Microelectronics is sponsored by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO). This funding opportunity supports innovative technology R&D across the manufacturing sector with a focus on circular economy, smart manufacturing, and energy-efficient microelectronics. While the stated deadline for full applications has passed, AMMTO frequently issues similar solicitations, and this highlights a relevant area of interest for the DOE.