EIC Pathfinder

Key Features

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)

Programme:     European Innovation Council

Award:     Share of up to EUR 4 million

Opens: 14th Mar 2025

Closes: 29th Oct 2025

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

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:

  • 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

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: 21 May 2025
  • EIC Pathfinder Challenges: 29 October 2025

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 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