EIC Pathfinder

What is the EIC Pathfinder?

EIC Pathfinder Open supports early stage development of future technologies (e.g. various activities at Technology Readiness Levels 1-4), based on high-risk/high-gain science-towards-technology breakthrough research. This research must provide the foundations of the technology you are envisioning.

EIC Pathfinder Open may support your work, especially if it is highly risky: you may set out to try things that will not work; you may be faced with questions that nobody knows the answer to yet; you may realise that there are many aspects of the problem that you do not master.

Before applying to this call, you should verify that your proposal meets all the following essential characteristics (‘Gatekeepers’):

• Convincing long-term vision of a radically new technology that has the potential to have a transformative positive effect to 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

EIC Pathfinder Open involves interdisciplinary research and development. By bringing diverse areas of research together, often with different perspectives, terminologies and methodologies, within individual projects and within a portfolio of projects, really new things can be generated, and entirely new areas of research can be opened up.

The expected outcome of your project is the proof of principle that the main ideas of the envisioned future technology are feasible, thus validating its scientific and technological basis. Project results should include top-level scientific publications in open access. While your vision is expected to be worthwhile because of its potential for future impact, for instance to create new markets, improve our lives, or address global challenges, these are not expected to be addressed or achieved in the course of your Pathfinder Open project. However, you are expected to take the necessary measures to allow future uptake to take place, for instance through an adequate formal protection of the generated Intellectual Property (IP).

Who can apply?

This call is open for collaborative research. Your proposal must be submitted by the coordinator, on behalf of a consortium that includes at least three independent legal entities, each one established in a different Member State or Associated Country and with at least one of them established in a Member State. The legal entities may for example be universities, research organisations, SMEs, start-ups, industrial partners or

natural persons.

How does the EIC Pathfinder work?

Open call Deadline à 19 May 2021

- Type of funding: Grant up to €3M for a Research & Innovation Action

- The funding rate of this grant will be 100% of the eligible costs

- Proposal length: 17 pages

- Criteria: Excellence, Impact, Quality & efficiency of the implementation

Challenge-driven call Deadline à 27 October 2021

- Type of funding: Grant up to €4M for a Research & Innovation Action

- The funding rate of this grant will be 100% of the eligible costs

- Proposal length: 25 pages

- Criteria: Excellence, Impact, Quality & efficiency of the implementation

EIC Pathfinder challenges

Challenge 1: Awareness inside

Challenge 2: Tools to measure and stimulate activity in brain tissue

Challenge 3: Emerging technologies in cell and gene therapy

Challenge 4: Novel routes to green hydrogen production

Challenge 5: Engineered living materials

Projects funded through EIC Pathfinder are eligible:

To receive additional grants with fixed amounts of up to EUR 50 000 to undertake complementary activities to explore potential pathways to commercialisation or for portfolio activities.

Candidates will be informed about the outcome of the evaluation within 5 months from the call deadline (indicative), and, if their proposal is accepted for funding, the grant agreement will be signed by 8 months after call deadline (indicative).

Contact us

Partner up with KiNNO Consultants and maximize your chances for a successful application! We hold the necessary expertise and experience to provide a range of services, from developing your innovation strategy to defining your funding strategy and writing your funding proposal.

Please feel free to reach out to us to gain additional information and schedule an exploratory call.

Click here to download the EIC Pathfinder flyer

Contact persons

• Angelos Noulas - STRATEGY & INVESTMENT ADVISOR

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• Yiannis Geragotellis – INNOVATION CONSULTANT & FUNDING ADVISOR

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