EIC Pathfinder Challenges 2026

The European Innovation Council Pathfinder Challenges fund early-stage, high-risk deep tech research at TRL 1 to 4 against three named 2026 challenges: advanced materials for miniaturised energy harvesting systems, biotechnology for healthy ageing, and deep reasoning, abstraction and planning for trustworthy cognitive AI. Grants run up to EUR 4M per project, or more where duly justified, out of a EUR 96M call budget, with optional booster grants of up to EUR 50K for follow-on innovation activity. The default configuration is a consortium of at least three independent legal entities, one established in an EU Member State and two more in different Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries; uniquely among Pathfinder strands, the Challenges also accept single applicants and two-partner consortia. It is a single-deadline annual call submitted through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal, with the 2026 round closing 28 October 2026.