Proposals are now open for the EIC Pathfinder Open, which has a total budget of €166 million, with a maximum grant of €4 million per project. Funding covers 100% of eligible costs.
The EIC supports deep-tech innovation, from early-stage research and technological development (EIC Pathfinder and EIC Accelerator) to growth and expansion (EIC STEP Scale-up program). The new 2026 program will allocate €1.4 billion to support entrepreneurs and researchers in Europe's advanced technologies. Specifically, under EIC Pathfinder, €262 million will be allocated to multidisciplinary research teams undertaking visionary research with the potential to lead to technological breakthroughs.
This call funds high-impact scientific research and emerging technologies. Specifically, the EIC Pathfinder Open supports the early development of these future technologies (with TRLs 1 to 4), based on innovative, high-risk/high-reward ('deep tech') scientific research. The approach must be pioneering and interdisciplinary. The key features of the proposal are:
- A compelling long-term vision of a radically new technology that has the potential to be a disruptive force in solving an economic and social challenge;
- A concrete, innovative and ambitious scientific-technological breakthrough, which allows progress towards the expected technology;
- A high-risk/high-reward research approach and methodology, with concrete and plausible objectives.
The consortium must consist of at least one legal entity established in a Member State and at least two other independent legal entities, each established in different Member States or Associated Countries. It is recommended to involve key players with the potential to become future leaders in their field, such as excellent early-career researchers or promising high-tech SMEs, including start-ups.
The deadline for submitting proposals is May 12, 2026.
For more information: info@iniziativa.cc
