Is EIC Pathfinder Open relevant for you?
Pathfinder Open is part of the Horizon Europe research programme's innovation pillar (pillar 3). It supports innovation and radically new technology development in all subject areas. The 2026 call for applications will be published soon, and the deadline for applications is 12 May.
This means that now is the time to start turning your ideas into an application. Pathfinder Open emphasises:
- Convincing long-term vision of a radically new technology that has the potential to have a transformative positive effect on solving a challenge in our economy and society.
- Concrete, novel and ambitious science-towards-technology breakthrough, providing advancement towards the envisioned technology.
- High-risk/high-gain research approach and methodology, with concrete and plausible objectives.
Applications can seek up to €4 million, and there must be at least three partners in the consortium.
Highly competitive
Please note that the instrument is highly competitive, with average success rates over the last two years between 2-4%. The ambition of "radically new technology" and "science-towards-technology breakthrough" should be taken literally. Incremental research/technology development has no place in the programme, however innovative it may be. The programme does not support the further development of known technologies.
Contact the Research Support Unit from the outset
If you are considering submitting a Pathfinder Open application, we recommend that you first read the EIC work programme, which describes the instrument. Next, we recommend that you contact the Research Support Unit's EIC team from the outset so that we can advise you throughout the application process.
Find the EIC work programme here.
Contact the Research Support Unit's EIC team here.