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EIC Pathfinder

EIC Pathfinder Challenges

Funds European consortia developing breakthrough solutions across AI, climate, energy, materials, medical, and quantum fields.

OpenEuropean Innovation CouncilEU
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About

EIC Pathfinder Challenges is the thematically directed track of the European Innovation Council's Pathfinder programme, funding breakthrough scientific research at TRL 1–4 within predefined challenge areas announced in the annual EIC Work Programme. Unlike the Open track, which accepts any scientific field, Challenges restricts proposals to specific topics the EIC has designated as high-priority. …

What this grant funds

Breakthrough scientific research at TRL 1–4 within predefined thematic challenge areas published in the annual EIC Work Programme, funded through the EIC Pathfinder Challenges track.

Key facts
CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.28 Oct 2026
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.—
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.—
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.€96M
Funding analytics

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Industries

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Eligibility criteria

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Timeline

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Last verified: 24 Jul 2026Source: eic.ec.europa.eu