Can I apply to EIC Pathfinder Challenges?

By country

• Can a company from an EU country apply?Yes
• Can a company from Poland (a Widening country) apply?Yes
• Can a company from the UK apply?Yes
• Can a company from Switzerland apply?Yes
• Can a company from Norway apply?Yes
• Can a company from Israel apply?Yes
• Can a company from Ukraine apply?Yes
• Can a company from Türkiye apply?Yes
• Can a company from Canada apply?NoOrganisations in Canada can't apply: it is open to the EU or countries fully associated with Horizon Europe.
• Can a company from Japan apply?NoOrganisations in Japan can't apply: it is open to the EU or countries fully associated with Horizon Europe.
• Can a company from South Korea apply?NoOrganisations in South Korea can't apply: it is open to the EU or countries fully associated with Horizon Europe.
• Can a company from the United States apply?NoOrganisations in the United States can't apply: it is open to the EU or countries fully associated with Horizon Europe.
• Can a company from India apply?NoOrganisations in India can't apply: it is open to the EU or countries fully associated with Horizon Europe.

By organisation

• Can a founder without a company yet apply?Yes, ifRegister a company first: the applicant must be an incorporated SME.
• Can a startup apply?Yes
• Can an established SME apply?Yes
• Can a mid-cap company apply?Yes, ifA mid-cap can take part as a partner, not as the applicant.
• Can a large company apply?Yes, ifA large company can take part as a partner, not as the applicant.
• Can a university apply?Yes
• Can a research organisation apply?Yes
• Can a company apply on its own, without partners?Yes

By stage

• Can I apply with an idea or early research?Yes
• Can I apply with a proof of concept?Yes
• Can I apply with a prototype?NoToo far along: this funds work up to TRL 4.
• Can I apply with a pilot with real users?NoToo far along: this funds work up to TRL 4.
• Can I apply with a product on the market?NoToo far along: this funds work up to TRL 4.

The rules in full

Where you must be based

the EU or countries fully associated with Horizon Europe

A single applicant must be in an EU Member State or associated country. Consortia of three or more need at least one partner in an EU Member State. Canada, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan are associated to Horizon Europe Pillar II only, so they do not count for this programme.

Who can apply

a startup, an SME, a university, a research organisation, a public body, a non-profit or an individual researcher

Universities, research organisations, SMEs, start-ups and natural persons. Mid-caps and large companies cannot apply alone; they can join (and coordinate) a consortium.

Who can join as a partner

a startup, an SME, a mid-cap, a large company, a university, a research organisation, a public body, a non-profit or an individual researcher

Alone or with partners

Alone, or as a consortium

Two partners must be independent and in two different EU or associated countries. Three or more: three independent partners in three countries, at least one in an EU Member State.

Stage

TRL 1 to 4

Early-stage science aiming at proof of concept (TRL 3 or 4).

What you get

grants, up to €4M

Up to 4 million euros per project; more if duly justified. 96 million euros across the three challenges.

Funding rate

100% of eligible costs, paid as a lump sum