European Innovation Council: EIC Pathfinder
Overview
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
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 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:
- Ambitions long-term vision for a radically new technology that has the potential to create new market and provide solutions for global challenges
- High-risk/high-gain breakthrough research that provides the foundations of the technology that you envisioning
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
- For projects that match any of the predefined thematic areas of the Pathfinder Challenges. The overall budget for the EIC Pathfinder Challenges in 2025 is €120 millions.
- Pathfinder Open - grants of up to EUR 3 million or more if duly justified
- For projects in any field of science, technology or application without predefined thematic priorities. The overall budget for the EIC Pathfinder Open in 2025 is €142 million
Pathfinder projects can also receive additional funding for testing the innovation potential of their research outputs.
Successful applicants also receive 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