EIC Pathfinder Challenges
Funds breakthrough research teams tackling bold technology questions from concept through proof-of-concept under the European Innovation Council framework.
The EIC Pathfinder Challenges 2026 include three 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). All three 2026 challenges share a deadline of 28 October 2026. The challenges include Biotechnology for Healthy Ageing; DeepRAP (HORIZON-EIC-2026-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01-03), funds research…
Three 2026 Pathfinder Challenges: (1) Biotechnology for Healthy Ageing; (2) DeepRAP — Deep Reasoning, Abstraction & Planning towards trustworthy Cognitive AI Systems (HORIZON-EIC-2026-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01-03); (3) Advanced Materials for Miniaturised Energy Harvesting Systems (HORIZON-EIC-2026-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01-01). All three deadline 28-10-2026.
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Guides for this application
All guides →TRL Levels Explained for Deeptech Founders
Learn what TRL levels mean, how to estimate technology readiness, and how TRL affects grants, EIC Accelerator, SBIR/STTR, funding stage, and application evidence.
DocumentsProof-of-Concept Data for Grants: Evidence Examples for Deeptech Applications
See how to present proof-of-concept data in grant applications, with examples for evidence registers, test logs, pilot data, and prior project proof.
Start hereStartup Funding Stages for Deeptech: From Lab to Scale
A deeptech funding roadmap that maps startup funding stages to TRL, grants, SBIR/STTR, EIC Accelerator, pilots, VC, and scale-up evidence.
BudgetBudget Narrative Example for Grant Proposals
See how to write a grant budget narrative with line-item examples, a template structure, weak vs strong wording, and reviewer-facing cost logic.
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