EIC Launches Three Pathfinder Challenges for 2026
The Challenges build on cutting-edge directions in science and technology to disrupt a field and a market or create new opportunities.
The European Innovation Council (EIC) is the Commission’s primary tool for identifying and supporting breakthrough technologies and significant innovations with the potential to scale up internationally and become market leaders. The EIC Pathfinder enables multidisciplinary research teams to develop the scientific basis to underpin breakthrough technologies. This route supports early stage development of future technologies up to proof of concept.
The majority of funding issued through the EIC takes the form of Open Funding with no predefined thematic priorities. However, a challenge-driven approach is also used to provide funding to address specific technological and innovation breakthroughs, taking into account EU priorities for transitioning to a green, digital and healthy society.
The 2026 round of Pathfinder Challenge calls are now open for application. Applicants are able to submit projects to achieve breakthroughs in the following three strategic areas:
- Advanced Materials for Miniaturised Energy Harvesting Systems
- Biotechnology for Healthy Ageing
- Deep Reasoning, Abstraction & Planning Towards Trustworthy Cognitive AI Systems
Submissions may generally be made by consortia of at least three different independent legal entities (such as research organisations, universities, SMEs, start-ups, industry, natural persons) established in at least three different eligible countries (EU Member States and Associate Countries), of which at least one must be an EU Member State. However, single applicants may be able to apply for Pathfinder challenges according to the call specifications.
The total indicative budget is €96 million, which is expected to be allocated in approximately equal shares across the Challenges. Grants of up to €4 million are available per project to enable them to achieve the proof of principle and validate the scientific basis of breakthrough technology (eg TRL 1-4).