Horizon Europe: European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder Challenges 2026

Research Funding to Develop the Scientific Foundations for Breakthrough Technologies

Pathfinder projects with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 1 through 4 focus on visionary, radically new technologies. These emerge from collaborative research on high-risk projects and long-term visions. Funding covers all phases, from the initial idea through proof-of-concept to validation.

What can be funded?

The European Innovation Council (European Innovation Council, EIC) supports breakthrough innovations with disruptive impact and the potential for international scaling. 

Pathfinder Challenges supports projects that fall under one of the predefined thematic areas of Pathfinder Challenges (see “What Are the Submission Criteria?”).

Information on EIC Pathfinder Challenges, including the current work programme and the “Challenge Guides,” can be found at the European Commission website .

Who can be funded?

  • Consortia (e. g., research organizations, universities, SMEs, industry) involving at least two or three different countries.
  • Individual applicants (SMEs, spin-offs, startups, research institutions, universities).

What is the amount of funding?

The grant amounts to up to 4 million euros and covers up to 100% of the costs.

What are the submission criteria?

  • An ambitious long-term vision for a radically new technology that has the potential to create new markets and provide solutions to global challenges
  • High-risk, high-reward research that lays the groundwork for the targeted technology
  • Projects must align with one of the predefined topic areas of the Pathfinder Challenges. For each of these challenges, there is a “Challenge Guide,” a document that is highly recommended for applicants:
    • Advanced Materials for Miniaturized Energy Harvesting Systems (Challenge Guide)
    • Biotechnology for Healthy Aging (Challenge Guide)
    • DeepRAP: Deep Reasoning, Abstraction, and Planning for Trustworthy Cognitive AI Systems (Challenge Guide)

To help you prepare your application, we highly recommend attending the “Pathfinder Challenges Info Day.” On this day, the individual EIC programme managers will explain their expectations and provide background information on the challenges. The Info Day is expected to take place in March 2026. The recordings and slides will be published afterward.

How does the submission work?

The proposal (30 pages) must be submitted via the EU Funding & Tender Portal by the specified deadline.

When will a decision be made?

No later than 5 months after the submission deadline
Planned Submission Period
28.07.2026 - 28.10.2026, 17:00 hour
Max. Funding 4.000.000
Funding procedure
Submission with a proposal process
Target group
(Non-profit) AssociationsAuthoritiesCompetence centresLarge companiesMultipliers / IntermediariesResearch facilitiesSingle researchersSmall and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)Start UpUniversitiesUniversities of applied sciences
Collaboration
Not required
Scope
European & International
Eligible costs
Costs of infrastructure useCosts of materialsPersonnel costsThird-party costsTravel costs
Funder
EC - European Commission
MUTINATI Giorgio

Giorgio MUTINATI

Nationale Kontaktstelle
EIC
+43 577 55-4203 E-Mail
AGIOVLASITIS Iraklis

Iraklis AGIOVLASITIS

Nationale Kontaktstelle
EIC
+43 577 55-4204 +43 664 8 84569-66 E-Mail

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About the FFG

The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) is the national funding institution for industry-related research and development in Austria. FFG funding plays a key role in generating new knowledge, developing new products and services, and thereby becoming more competitive in the global market.
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