European Innovation Council Pathfinder
EIC Pathfinder
Open continuously
No deadline — apply whenever you are ready.
Research and innovation grants for breakthrough research from laboratory to prototype. Pathfinder Open awards are typically up to EUR 3 million; Pathfinder Challenges up to EUR 4 million. Funding is at 100% of eligible costs.
European Innovation Council (European Commission / EISMEA)
public · supranational
Deadline: annual_call — Pathfinder Open normally has one cut-off per year (historically in spring) and Pathfinder Challenges one in the autumn. Check the EIC funding opportunities page for the current dates.
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Quick — mostly identity and bank details.
Who can apply
- Sectors: deeptech, ai, health, climate, space
- Stage: idea, pre_seed
- R&D activity required
- Locally registered entity required
Pathfinder Open requires a consortium of at least three partners from three countries; single applicants (including startups and research organisations) are allowed in some configurations. TRL 1-4.
Source. https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities_en — checked 2026-08-14
"EIC Pathfinder: Research & Innovation grants for breakthrough research from laboratory to prototype"