Library FAQ
How many innovations have been identified in Pathfinder projects?
Innovation Radar identified 827 innovations in 146 EIC Pathfinder projects, with on average around five innovations developed per project.
How many patent applications and grants have resulted from Pathfinder projects?
So far, 29 EIC Pathfinder projects have made 58 patent applications and been awarded 28 patents.
How many projects has the EIC Pathfinder funded since 2014 and in which fields?
Since 2014 it has funded 408 projects in Health, Digital/ICT, Energy and Environment, Manufacturing and Infrastructures, and Food and Agriculture.
How prevalent is SME participation in Pathfinder projects and what impact has it had?
SMEs participate in more than 70% of Pathfinder projects; SMEs involved have reported almost €40 million in revenue growth and created an estimated 586 new jobs; about 12% of projects led to a spin-off company.
What is an example of a Pathfinder project in sustainable textiles?
Spinnova & FLIPT (Finland) received €3.7 million and developed a technology to produce textile fibre from cellulosic biomass with very low CO2 emissions and minimal resource use; a pilot factory was set up in Jyväskylä and Spinnova carried out an IPO in June 2...
What is EIC Transition and what does it support?
EIC Transition is a scheme to support follow-up of EIC Pathfinder and ERC projects, taking them from proof of concept to technology demonstration for a specific application and developing a business case; it builds on a pilot that supported 134 projects with a...
What is the EIC Pathfinder?
The EIC Pathfinder funds cutting-edge, high-risk and high-reward research and innovation projects that aim to demonstrate completely new technological paradigms and strengthen Europe’s deep-tech ecosystem.
What is the QUSMI project and what are its advantages?
QUSMI aims to commercialise a non-radioactive alternative for non-invasive cancer diagnosis and staging; the prototype has reached an advanced stage and offers lower material costs, operation at room temperature, MRI compatibility, results in about two minutes...
What is the share of women among researchers in Pathfinder projects?
In total, 31% of the researchers in EIC Pathfinder projects are women.
What is the typical composition of EIC Pathfinder teams?
Teams are transnational (from at least three different countries), involve mainly universities and research institutes as well as private companies and industrial partners, and span 49 different countries including all EU Member States.
What kinds of research does the Pathfinder support?
It supports high-risk, high-impact research on future and emerging technologies with a focus on interdisciplinarity and visionary approaches; it is open to all fields with targeted funding for particular challenges.
What level of grant funding does the EIC Pathfinder provide?
It awards grants of up to €3–4 million for trans-national collaborative projects.
What non-financial support does the EIC Pathfinder offer?
Projects receive access to EIC coaching, mentoring and networking, and may access follow-up funding through EIC Transition activities and the EIC Accelerator.
What scientific outputs have Pathfinder projects produced?
The portfolio has produced 4,324 publications (3,010 in peer-reviewed journals), over 61% published in high-profile journals; there are 112 projects with public-private publications accounting for 581 such publications.
Are there additional supports for Transition projects besides the grant?
Yes — projects are eligible for additional fixed-amount portfolio grants up to EUR 50,000, can submit Accelerator proposals via Fast Track, and receive free Business Acceleration Services and matchmaking events.
Do applicants need to be participants or IP owners of the prior project?
You do not need to be a participant or PI, but you must demonstrate you own or have the necessary rights to commercialise the relevant IPR and include written evidence of agreements from the IPR owner(s).
How does the Accelerator application process work?
Submit a short application any time via the Portal/AI platform; receive result in ~4 weeks. If successful, prepare a full application (cut-off dates in 2021: 9 June and 6 October) with access to an EIC business coach (3 days remote). Full applications are remo...
How long are the proposal sections and what is the page limit?
Sections 1 to 3 of Part B must consist of a maximum of 25 A4 pages.
What are the evaluation criteria and thresholds for EIC Transition?
Excellence (threshold 4/5), Impact (threshold 4/5), and Quality and efficiency of implementation (threshold 3/5). Specific subcriteria address novelty, feasibility, market fit, economic/societal benefits, team quality, milestones/work plan and resource allocat...
What are the time limits relating to the linked eligible project for Transition applications?
If the eligible project is still active you may apply if it started more than 12 months before the Transition call deadline; if completed you may apply within 24 months of its end date from the call deadline.
What funding does the EIC Accelerator provide?
The Accelerator offers blended finance: an investment component (equity or quasi-equity) and a grant component to reimburse eligible innovation costs. Total call budget is EUR 592.5 million (EUR 143.05 million from NextGenerationEU). Grant component normally s...
What funding is available for EIC Transition projects?
The total indicative budget for the call is EUR 59.6 million. Grants are Research and Innovation Actions covering eligible costs; the EIC considers requests up to EUR 2.5 million appropriate though larger amounts may be requested with justification. Funding ra...
What happens at the face-to-face interview stage for Transition?
A jury (max six members) interviews the proposal; up to five persons named in the proposal may represent it. The jury gives a GO or NO GO recommendation and provides jury feedback if invited.
What happens during due diligence for the Accelerator investment component?
The EIC Fund conducts compliance checks, due diligence, and syndication. The Commission may reject the investment based on due diligence results or other issues; in such cases the project may start with the grant component first with the investment conditional...