The EIC Pathfinder Open and Pathfinder Challenges calls are now open. The funding is aimed at high-tech start-ups and SMEs, researchers, and industrial research organisations interested in developing innovative deep tech projects with a high level of scientific and technological ambition, a high degree of risk, and the potential to create new markets.

Participation is possible under the following schemes:

• Pathfinder Open: consortia of at least three independent legal entities;
• Pathfinder Challenges: open to single applicants or small consortia (at least two partners).

The Pathfinder Open call supports projects in any scientific, technological or application field, without predefined thematic priorities, with the aim of facilitating the transition from early-stage research to the market. The total available budget is €166 million.

The Pathfinder Challenges call has a total budget of €96 million to fund actions addressing specific thematic areas:

• Advanced Materials for Miniaturised Energy Harvesting Systems
• Biotechnology for Healthy Ageing
• DeepRAP: Deep Reasoning, Abstraction & Planning towards trustworthy Cognitive AI Systems

Funding of up to €4 million per project is available.