EIC Pathfinder (via ISERD) — Horizon Europe

EIC Pathfinder Challenges

Funds breakthrough research teams tackling bold technology questions from concept through proof-of-concept under the European Innovation Council framework.

Eligibility · EU member states

The EIC Pathfinder Challenges 2026 are two targeted calls from the European Innovation Council funding visionary, high-risk research projects from ideation (TRL 1–2) through to proof of concept (TRL 3–4). Both 2026 challenges share a deadline of 28 October 2026. The first challenge, DeepRAP (HORIZON-EIC-2026-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01-03), funds research on deep reasoning, abstraction, and planning toward trustworthy cognitive AI systems. The second challenge (HORIZON-EIC-2026-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01-01) funds advanced materials for miniaturised energy harvesting systems. Applications are submitted through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal.

Each successful project receives a grant of up to €4 million. Unlike Pathfinder Open, the Challenges track uniquely allows single-entity applications — an individual company, university, or research institute may apply without forming a consortium. All legal entity types are eligible: academia, industry, SMEs, NGOs, public sector bodies, and natural persons. Israeli entities are eligible because Israel is an associated country to Horizon Europe. The grant covers research costs for the duration of the project, which typically runs 18–36 months.

ISERD, Israel's National Contact Point for Horizon Europe, offers proposal review and guidance; contact is yotam@iserd.org.il. The grant is paid by the EIC executive agency of the European Commission, not by ISERD. The sole scoring criterion is scientific excellence combined with visionary ambition — proposals must articulate a bold long-term vision and a credible pathway from fundamental science toward eventual market impact. Teams with prior ERC or Horizon project experience and strong publication records are well positioned to compete on these calls.