EIC Pathfinder 2023

Funding for disruptive ideas that are radically different from existing products, services or business models.

The EIC Pathfinder 2023 is a program aimed at supporting SMEs, research centres, universities or large companies that form consortia to work in the early stages of research and development of disruptive ideas. Ideas that may end up becoming scientific or technological advances that lead the way in the future

My project fits into the EIC Pathfinder if:

01

I have an idea so disruptive and risky that no one has started to develop it yet.

02

The project has the ambitious long-term vision of creating a radically new technology with the potential to create new markets and respond to global problems.

03

This idea can be the pillar of a new way of attacking the problem posed, even changing the rules of the game.

It is a high-risk project, with a research methodology aimed at exploring new areas and involving a high risk and degree of benefit.

04

The technology is still in an early stage of development, at a low TRL (Technology Readiness Level) of TRL 2-3.

My goal is to demonstrate the scientific basis for this idea in this shape of a proof of concept or on laboratory level (TRL 4-5)

05

The implementation of the project requires an interdisciplinary approach that includes different research areas. The presence of other entities is necessary to create the perfect team needed to reach the proof of concept of this technology.

The programme is divided into two subprograms.

EIC Pathfinder Open

The EIC Pathfinder Open provides funding for projects in any field of science or technology, based on interdisciplinary and innovative scientific and technological research.

EIC Pathfinder Challenge

The EIC Pathfinder Challenge provides funding for projects in specific themes (Challenges) and that are renewed each year based on the priorities of the EIC.

EIC Pathfinder challenges:

01

Clean and efficient cooling

Its objective is to promote scientific knowledge and technological development of innovative, clean and efficient cooling solutions that fully support the vision of the “cold economy”.

02

Architecture, Engineering and Construction digitalisation for a novel triad of design, fabrication, and materials

Seeks to promote disruptive solutions for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) in areas such as computational design, digital fabrication, and alternative building materials.

03

Precision nutrition

The objectives are to investigate and find scientific evidence of the role in Food-related Health Conditions (FrHCs) such as but not limited to obesity and malnutrition) and Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases (NCDs) such as but not limited to diabetes and hypertension.

04

Responsible electronics

It aims to create opportunities for discovery of new environmentally friendly electronic materials, thus reducing its environmental impact and the need for critical raw materials and hazardous chemicals.

05

In-space solar energy harvesting for innovative space applications

Promotes the development of technologies necessary for the collection and transmission of energy in space, and new propulsion technologies that will use said collected energy.

EIC Pathfinder Deadline 2023

EIC Pathfinder Open: March 7th, 2023

EIC Pathfinder Challenge: October 18th, 2023

Applicant

Pathfinder’s beneficiaries are consortia that may include universities, research organizations, SMEs, start-ups, industrial partners or individuals. In the case of single beneficiary projects, mid-caps and larger companies will not be permitted.

EIC Pathfinder Open 2023: Consortia of at least three different independent legal entities established in at least three different eligible countries.

EIC Pathfinder Challenge 2023: Also open to individual applicants or small consortia (two partners).

TRL start – end

TRL 1-2 to TRL 4

Financing

The EIC Pathfinder budget for 2023 is €180 million for the Pathfinder Open and €164 million for the Pathfinder Challenge for a total of €344 million.

The funding rate in Pathfinder projects is 100%, which means that eligible costs are fully covered by the grant.

EIC Pathfinder Open 2023: The expected budget is up to €3 million per project. However, projects with higher amounts can be proposed, if they are duly justified.

EIC Pathfinder Challenge 2023: The expected budget is up to €4 million per project. However, projects with higher amounts can be proposed, if they are duly justified.

How to apply

Project proposals must be submitted via the Funding and Tender Opportunities Portal before the given deadline. More information here.

Sections 1 to 3 of the part B of the proposal, corresponding respectively to the award criteria Excellence, Impact, and Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation, must consist of a maximum of 17 format A4 pages for the EIC Pathfinder Open and of 25 format A4 pages for the EIC Pathfinder Challenge.

Beneficiaries are informed about the outcome of the evaluation within 5 months from the call deadline, and, if the proposal is selected for funding the grant agreement is usually signed within 8 months from the deadline.

Award criteria:

Excellence (weight 60%): The evaluated points are Long-term vision, Science-towards-technology breakthrough, project objectives, interdisciplinary.

Impact (weight 20%): Long-term impact, innovation potential, communication & dissemination.

Implementation (weight 20%): work plan, allocation of the resources (budget), quality of the consortium.