The EIC Pathfinder funding programme is dedicated to supporting early-stage, innovative, groundbreaking technologies. In this programme, you can get support to promote promising ideas and initial work up to a proof-of-concept and validation in a controlled environment. The EIC Pathfinder is suitable for any high-risk and high-gain science-towards-technology projects looking to take the initial steps toward market. The EIC Pathfinder offers two funding schemes: EIC Pathfinder Open (for all types of technology) and EIC Pathfinder Challenges (a challenge-driven call with specific calls for action, changing every year).
EIC Pathfinder focus
The EIC Pathfinder Open is a call for bottom-up proposals that have all the following characteristics:
- Convincing long-term vision of a radically new deep-tech that has the potential to transform our economy and society in a positive way
- Concrete, novel and ambitious science-towards-technology breakthrough, providing advancements towards the envisioned goal
- High-risk and high-gain research approach and methodology, with concrete and plausible objectives
- For Pathfinder Challenges only – relevancy to the specific challenge
Application requirements
A consortium of at least three independent legal entities, established in at least three different EU member states or Horizon Europe associated countries (e.g. Israel). At least one member of the consortium must come from an EU member state.
For Pathfinder Challenges only, applying alone or in a collaboration with one other entity from a different Horizon Europe country is also allowed.
Funding
- Grants of up to EUR 4 million (or more if properly justified) to achieve the proof of concept and validate the scientific basis of breakthrough technology (TRL 1-4)
- The funding rate of this grant will be 100% of the eligible costs + 25% overhead
Additionally, funded projects are eligible to:
- Receive EIC booster grants with fixed amounts of up to EUR 60,000 to undertake complementary activities to explore potential pathways to commercialisation
- Submit an EIC Transition proposal
- Submit an EIC Accelerator proposal via the Fast-Track scheme
Evaluation Process
- Your proposal will be first evaluated and scored remotely by 3-4 EIC expert evaluators, each giving a grade of up to 5 on the three evaluation criteria: Excellence, Impact, and Implementation.
- The evaluators will convene at an evaluation committee that will decide on the final score, taking into consideration the evaluators’ comments.
- The evaluation process is expected to take 5 months after the deadline.
EIC Pathfinder Challenges portfolio approach
For every challenge, the EU Commission is looking for a variety of solutions. Every proposal must select one area to focus on. Every required solution type will be represented in the list of selected projects, and the projects are needed to collaborate on shared activities such as conferences, webinars, website, cross-promotion, and more. Proposals should consider the expenses and person-months required for portfolio activities when creating a budget.
For questions and more information: [email protected]