European Innovation Council Pathfinder Open
EIC Pathfinder Open
Status not published
Pathfinder Open 2026 deadline: 12 May 2026. Recurring annually under each EIC Work Programme.
Grants of 'up to EUR 4 million or more if duly justified' for early-stage development of future technologies (roughly TRL 1-4). Beneficiaries may additionally receive Booster grants of a 'fixed amount not exceeding EUR 50 000'. Funding rate is not stated on the EIC Pathfinder page.
European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) / European Commission, under Horizon Europe
public · supranational
Deadline: annual_call — Pathfinder Open 2026 deadline: 12 May 2026. Recurring annually under each EIC Work Programme.
Major bid — written case, budget, possibly partners.
Who can apply
- Sectors: deeptech, any
- Stage: idea, pre_seed
- R&D activity required
- Locally registered entity required
Consortium-based: 'at least three different independent legal entities', with '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'. Single applicants are permitted for Pathfinder Challenges only, not for Pathfinder Open. Startups typically participate as consortium partners alongside universities and research organisations.
How to apply
- Form an eligible consortium of at least three different independent legal entities (at least one in a Member State and at least two others each established in different Member States or Associated Countries). — link
- Register the organisation on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and obtain a PIC. — link
- Submit the full proposal on the Funding & Tenders Portal by the single annual deadline. Single-stage evaluation by remote experts. — link
What you will need
- Proposal Part A (administrative forms, budget, participants)
- Proposal Part B (technical description)
- PIC for each consortium partner
Source. https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder_en — checked 2026-08-14
"up to EUR 4 million or more if duly justified ... at least three different independent legal entities ... At least one legal entity established in a Member State ... At least two other independent legal entities, each established in different Member States or Associated Countries"