Library FAQ
How does portfolio selection work in Pathfinder Challenges?
The evaluation committee considers scores and each proposal’s contribution to a consistent portfolio. Proposals are categorised (e.g., building blocks, technical areas, risk level, size) and a suitable portfolio is selected from the highest scoring proposals p...
What are EIC Pathfinder Challenges?
Pathfinder Challenges aim to build on cutting-edge science and technology to disrupt a field or create new opportunities via high-risk/high-gain R&D. They require multidisciplinary collaborations, form portfolios of projects exploring different or complementar...
What are the expectations and next steps if a Pathfinder proposal is retained for funding?
The coordinator receives a letter with next steps for grant agreement signature. Grant preparation and signature are expected within three months. The Project Officer and the EIC Programme Manager will contact the project; you must collaborate with other portf...
What are the resubmission rules following face-to-face interviews with EIC juries?
If the jury rejects once but identifies the proposal as a potential Go with targeted improvements, you may be invited to resubmit a revised application directly to one of the next two face-to-face interviews (only once). If rejected once (including if awarded...
What are the resubmission rules for remote evaluation of full Accelerator proposals?
If rejected once, you may resubmit directly to remote evaluation at one of the next two cut-offs but should have made improvements. If rejected a second time, you cannot submit for 12 months, after which only a new or significantly improved proposal to the sho...
What are the resubmission rules for short Accelerator applications?
If rejected once, you may resubmit to the short application stage at any time but are expected to have made improvements. If rejected a second time, you cannot submit another application for 12 months, after which only a new or significantly improved proposal...
What are the specific objectives and conditions of the 'Awareness Inside' Pathfinder Challenge?
The challenge seeks new concepts of awareness applicable to non-human systems, methods to recognise or measure such awareness, and elucidation of relations between complexity, information structure, perception, distributed vs centralized and time awareness. Pr...
What does the 'Tools to measure and stimulate activity in brain tissue' Challenge focus on?
This Challenge focuses on developing medical devices to measure and stimulate brain activity to treat brain disorders. It highlights limitations of existing devices (invasiveness, limited miniaturisation, poor resolution, limited spatial coverage) and opportun...
What evaluation criteria are used for the EIC Accelerator applications?
Applications are assessed under Excellence, Impact, and Level of risk/implementation/need for Union support. Subcriteria include breakthrough and market-creating nature, timing, technological feasibility (full only), intellectual property (full only), scale-up...
What feedback do applicants receive after evaluation?
All applicants receive a collation of comments from individual evaluator reports or excerpts. Applicants of proposals above threshold assessed further by the evaluation committee also receive summary comments of the committee’s assessment.
What funding and support does the Pathfinder Challenge call provide?
The total indicative budget is EUR 132 million (roughly equally across challenges). Projects receive a Research and Innovation Action grant covering eligible costs, with a funding rate of 100%. Proposals with an EU contribution up to EUR 4 million are consider...
What Impact subcriteria are evaluated for Accelerator applications?
Short and full applications are assessed for scale-up potential and broader impact. Full applications are additionally assessed for market fit and competitor analysis, commercialisation strategy, and identification and engagement of key partners.
What is the ‘do no significant harm’ requirement for Accelerator projects?
Projects must comply with the ‘do no significant harm’ principle of the EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy.
What is the evaluation process and criteria for Pathfinder Challenge proposals?
Evaluation is two-step: remote evaluation by EIC expert evaluators against criteria, then an evaluation committee selects a portfolio. Criteria and thresholds: Excellence (threshold 4/5, weight 60%) with relevance to the Challenge, novelty, and plausibility of...
What kind of projects and TRL levels are Pathfinder Challenges targeting?
Pathfinder Challenges target ambitious early-stage deep-tech projects. In general, the starting point is around TRL 2–4, though TRL levels may not apply easily in all fields. Projects must aim to deliver the specific outcomes defined in the respective Challeng...
What portfolio activities and outputs are expected from funded Pathfinder projects?
Funded projects must plan to participate in portfolio activities with other projects and the EIC Programme Manager. Project outcomes must include top-level scientific publications and adequate formal protection of generated intellectual property. Annex 6 provi...
What team and implementation criteria are evaluated for Accelerator proposals?
The team’s capability and motivation are evaluated at both short and full stages. Full applications are also evaluated on milestones (implementation plan), the risk level of the investment (evidence of market unwillingness to fully finance), and risk mitigatio...
Which Excellence subcriteria apply at short and full application stages for the Accelerator?
Both short and full applications are assessed on breakthrough and market-creating nature and timing. Technological feasibility and intellectual property are assessed at the full application stage only.
Who can apply to Pathfinder Challenges?
The Challenges support collaborative research from consortia or single legal entities unless stated otherwise. Consortia proposals must be submitted by a coordinator and include at least two independent legal entities. Monobeneficiary projects may not be submi...
Are applicants encouraged to develop synergies with other programmes?
Yes. Applicants are encouraged to develop synergies with relevant activities under Horizon Europe Cluster 4 Work Programme 2021–2022 and Work Programme 2023–2024.
Are interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches required for proposals?
Yes. Submitted proposals must follow interdisciplinary and cross-sectorial approaches, drawing inspiration and knowledge from a broad range of disciplines.
Do applicants need to be participants or owners of the original eligible project?
No. New participants including start-ups and SMEs are welcome. If an applicant was part of the eligible project they must confirm they are the IPR owner or have necessary rights; if not, the coordinator must include a commitment letter from the result owner gr...
How does this topic contribute to EU policy objectives?
It contributes to reinforcing EU strategic autonomy and EU Space policy, notably the EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence and the EU approach for Space Traffic Management, promoting a secure, sustainable and safe space domain.
In what forms can applicants apply to EIC Transition?
As a single legal entity (mono-beneficiary) established in a Member State or Associated Country if a start-up, SME or research performing organisation; as a small consortium of two independent legal entities from two different Member States or Associated Count...