Library FAQ
What are common AI/ML applications in materials discovery mentioned in the report?
AI/ML is applied to data extraction, descriptor identification, surrogate modeling, digital twins and physics‑informed AI to accelerate discovery for catalysts, photovoltaics, optoelectronics, thermoelectrics and more.
What are electrodynamic tethers (EDTs) and what solution is E.T.PACK developing?
EDTs use a bare photovoltaic tether to harvest energy and generate Lorentz drag for de‑orbiting; E.T.PACK develops a consumable‑less de‑orbit kit based on this concept, providing both power and de‑orbit capability.
What are RFNBOs and why are they important?
Renewable fuels and chemicals (RFNBOs) are produced from renewable energy sources and are critical routes to defossilise hard‑to‑electrify sectors by replacing fossil feedstocks and fuels.
What are the main barriers to scaling low‑carbon construction technologies?
Scaling requires large investments, new plants and robust low‑cost implementations suitable for non‑OECD regions. Public funding examples (e.g., LIFE support for Solidia’s CCSC) needed substantial private co‑investment to reach scale.
What critical raw material (CRM) risks does the report identify?
The report highlights dependence on PGMs (e.g., iridium, platinum) in electrolysers, potential iridium scarcity, and reliance on rare earth elements and cobalt in some systems, posing risks for energy security and deployment.
What energy efficiency, storage and demand‑side technologies are highlighted?
Examples include waste heat recovery and modular thermal energy storage (Kraftblock, EnergyNest), compact molten salt reactors (Seaborg), CO2 batteries for long duration storage (Energy Dome), thermophotovoltaic batteries (THERMOBAT), plasma‑assisted efficient...
What funding focus does the EIC have regarding materials and energy systems?
The EIC funds portfolios on green hydrogen production, CO2 and nitrogen management and valorisation, and systems‑integrated energy storage, with emphasis on CRM‑free materials and circular life cycles.
What high‑throughput methods (HTM) accelerate advanced materials discovery?
HTM includes high‑throughput synthesis, characterisation and data analysis—examples cited are inkjet‑printed catalyst libraries and thin‑film sputtered combinatorial libraries—enabling rapid screening of compositions.
What is Atmosphere Breathing Electric Propulsion (ABEP) and where is it applicable?
ABEP collects residual atmospheric gases at very low Earth orbit (VLEO) altitudes and uses them as propellant for electric thrusters; scenarios include Earth/Mars orbit operations and tug/refuelling missions.
What is meant by “fuels and chemicals from the sun”?
It refers to converting renewable solar energy (e.g., PV) into fuels and chemicals—using processes like artificial photosynthesis and power‑to‑X—to replace fossil resources and turn CO2 into a feedstock.
Which EU initiatives and EIC projects advance solar fuels and related technologies?
EU initiatives include SUNERGY; EIC Pathfinder and Transition projects cited are A‑LEAF, DIACAT, SoFiA and LICROX, which assess feasibility and advance artificial photosynthesis and power‑to‑X pathways.
Why are advanced materials (AMs) important for the energy transition?
AMs enable transformations across green and digital transitions—improving devices like catalysts, photovoltaics and storage—and can reduce dependency on critical raw materials while supporting scalable decarbonisation.
Why is construction a focus for carbon neutrality and what role does cement play?
Global building growth will add vast new floor area through 2060, and cement production accounts for about 8% of global CO2 emissions, so supply‑ and demand‑side strategies are needed to reach carbon neutral or negative construction.
Are there additional non-financial supports for funded projects?
Yes. Successful applicants receive tailor-made access to Business Acceleration Services and interactions with EIC Programme Managers. For Challenges, the EIC Project Officer and Programme Manager support planning of portfolio activities and the preparation of...
Can funded Pathfinder grant personnel participate in the ‘Next Generation Innovation Talents’ scheme?
Yes. The personnel costs of researchers participating in the ‘Next Generation Innovation Talents’ scheme are eligible under Pathfinder grant agreements.
How are proposals evaluated for the Pathfinder Open call?
Each proposal is evaluated and scored individually by at least four EIC expert evaluators. The median of evaluators’ scores is used per award criterion. The overall score is the weighted sum of the three median scores. An evaluation committee (different evalua...
How are ties between proposals with the same final score resolved?
Priority is given in the following order: higher score under Excellence; higher score under Impact; gender balance among work package leaders as identified in the proposal; number of applicants that are SMEs; number of Member States and Associated Countries re...
How does evaluation differ for Pathfinder Challenges?
Challenges use a two-step evaluation: Step 1—EIC expert evaluators assess proposals individually, followed by consensus and an evaluation committee check; Step 2—portfolio considerations are applied by the evaluation committee (including Programme Managers) to...
How must proposals be submitted?
You must submit your proposal via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal before the indicated deadline.
What are applicants to a Pathfinder Challenge expected to deliver by project end (TRL expectations)?
Proposals generally start at early TRL (e.g., TRL 2) up to proof of concept or validation in the lab (e.g., TRL 3 or 4). For the Biotech Challenge, funded projects are expected to develop breakthrough technologies that reach TRL4 (validation in laboratory envi...
What are Booster grants and who is eligible?
Projects funded through EIC Pathfinder (including certain EIC pilot Pathfinder, FET-Open and Proactive calls) may be eligible for Booster grants of up to EUR 50 000 to undertake complementary activities or portfolio activities (see Annex 5).
What are the award criteria and thresholds for EIC Pathfinder Challenges?
Three criteria: Excellence (threshold 4/5; weight 60%), Impact (threshold 3.5/5; weight 20%), and Quality and efficiency of the implementation (threshold 3/5; weight 20%). Criteria focus on relevance to the Challenge, novelty, methodology plausibility, potenti...
What are the award criteria and thresholds for EIC Pathfinder Open?
Three criteria: Excellence (threshold 4/5; weight 60%), Impact (threshold 3.5/5; weight 20%), and Quality and efficiency of the implementation (threshold 3/5; weight 20%). Each criterion comprises detailed subpoints such as long-term vision, novelty, objective...
What are the consortium eligibility rules for Pathfinder Challenges?
Consortia of two entities must be comprised of independent legal entities from two different Member States or Associated Countries. Consortia of three or more beneficiaries must include at least three independent legal entities each established in a different...