February 2, 2026

EIC Pathfinder Open: Funding For High Risk, High Gain Research

– Written by Helena Grantham – Grants Consultant.

The EIC Pathfinder Open programme is a key grant funding scheme that provides a space for cutting-edge research to begin. Applicants need to be developing radically new technologies with the potential to transform existing markets or create entirely new ones. Crucially, the Pathfinder Open supports ambitious, unconventional ideas that are responding to societal needs and / or will provide solutions for global challenges.  

Delivered by the European Innovation Council (EIC) under Horizon Europe, the Pathfinder Open provides funding for ambitious projects that combine excellent science with long-term technological and societal impact. It is designed to explore novel directions and breakthrough concepts that are too uncertain or disruptive for traditional funding schemes. However, please note if the approach of a project is only ‘incremental’ and not pushing boundaries, it may not be eligible for Pathfinder.  

Open to visionary, early-stage ideas across all scientific and technological fields, the Pathfinder Open programme supports collaborative research that challenges current state of the art. The Open programme has no defined themes and is applicable to all areas of research and technological fields, from deep tech and advanced materials to climate technologies, health, AI, and quantum research. 

The interdisciplinary nature of the Pathfinder Open, encourages bringing together diverse areas of research along with different perspectives, terminologies and methodologies. This collaborative nature aims to lay the foundation for a future innovation pipeline in Europe and contributes to long-term challenges such as sustainability, digital transformation and global competitiveness. The Pathfinder programme is not about getting to a solution quickly, it’s about testing concepts and backing ideas that are often seen as too early, too bold or too uncertain.  

What Does EIC Pathfinder Open Fund?

EIC Pathfinder provides substantial funding (up to €4 million) to support early-stage research and technology development. Funding can be used for activities such as: 

  • Fundamental and applied research 
  • Proof-of-concept development 
  • Technology validation and early prototyping 
  • Exploration of future applications and impact pathways 

Beyond financial support, Pathfinder projects also gain access to the wider EIC ecosystem, including coaching, networking opportunities, and pathways to follow-on funding through programmes such as EIC Transition and EIC Accelerator. 

Expected Project Outputs:

Proof of principle your technological ideas are feasible 

  • Top-level scientific publications in open access 
  • Measures for future proofing to include:  
  • Protection of IP  
  • Future exploitation plan 
  • Assessment of regulation, certification, and standardisation 
  • Empower team key actors and support future leaders in their respective fields

Eligibility Criteria:

Applications must be submitted by a consortium of at least three legal entities, independent from each other and each established in a different country as follows:  

  • at least one legal entity established in a Member State; and  
  • at least two other independent legal entities, each established in different Member States or Associated Countries. 

EIC Pathfinder is a highly competitive programme and Streets Innovation can offer comprehensive end-to-end support, ensuring your application is in scope, compelling and clearly differentiated from others applying. With the 12th May deadline approaching, early engagement is critical. 

How We Can Help

If you would like to arrange a meeting to discuss EIC Pathfinder or any other Grant Funding services Streets offer, please see the link below for the team’s Calendly https://calendly.com/streets-innovation/grant-funding-both-uk-eu-discovery-call