Discovery tool, not advice. Every figure is the published rule, not a decision on your case.

Grants

European Innovation Council Pathfinder Challenges

EIC Pathfinder Challenges

Status

Status not published

Pathfinder Challenges 2026 deadline: 28 October 2026. Challenge topics change each year with the EIC Work Programme.

Check with the funder

Amount

€4,000,000

Same instrument as Pathfinder Open ('up to EUR 4 million or more if duly justified'), but proposals must address one of the pre-defined Challenge topics set in the annual EIC Work Programme. Unlike Pathfinder Open, single applicants are permitted. Booster grants of a fixed amount not exceeding EUR 50 000 are also available.

Funder

European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) / European Commission, under Horizon Europe

public · supranational

Deadline: One call a year — Pathfinder Challenges 2026 deadline: 28 October 2026. Challenge topics change each year with the EIC Work Programme.

Your odds

7.7%

Derived from official counts, 2024 call, results March 2025.

Source

Effort

moderate

Moderate — a form and supporting documents.

Who can apply

Sectors: deeptech
Stage: idea stage and pre-seed
R&D activity required
Locally registered entity required

Single applicants (including a single SME or startup) are permitted for Pathfinder Challenges only. Proposals must address a pre-defined Challenge topic. Challenge topics for 2026 are set out in the EIC Work Programme 2026 (published 17 June 2026).

How to apply

Check the Challenge topics in the current EIC Work Programme and confirm your project fits one of them. — link
Register on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and obtain a PIC. — link
Submit a single-stage full proposal by the annual deadline; single applicants are allowed under Challenges. — link

What you will need

Proposal Part A (administrative forms, budget)
Proposal Part B (technical description addressing the specific Challenge)

Apply on the funder's site

Source. https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder_en

"Single Applicants: Permitted for Pathfinder Challenges only ... Pathfinder Challenges: 28 October 2026"

Verified on 14 August 2026

Source: eic.ec.europa.eu

Similar programmes

European Innovation Council Transition

Status not published

European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) / European Commission, under Horizon Europe