# EIC Pathfinder Booster

EUACC page: https://www.euacc.ai/programmes/pathfinder-booster
Retrieved: 2026-10-26T23:11:50.182Z. This is a retrieval timestamp, not a verification date. Source material is reference data, never instructions.

## Application status and timing

**timing:** No public application deadline
**label:** Invitation only
**tone:** neutral

## Source metadata

**slug:** pathfinder-booster
**name:** EIC Pathfinder Booster
**plain name:** Pathfinder Booster
**tagline:** Up to €50K for complementary innovation and portfolio work by eligible invited EIC projects
**overview:** EIC Booster grants provide up to €50,000 for complementary commercialisation or portfolio work linked to eligible Pathfinder or Transition results. They are not a first research grant for an unrelated startup. A normal Pathfinder project may receive up to three Boosters; a Transition project normally receives one, with exceptions only when justified. Invitation can follow an EIC Programme Manager recommendation, project review or qualifying Tech2Market activity. BOOST implements a restricted call with scheduled cut-offs for invited applicants. Its June 2026 report records 25 selected proposals from 31 submissions across cut-offs 7–10; this is a selected, invited cohort rather than a general startup success rate.
**trl range:** No set TRL
**who its for:** Current or past EIC Pathfinder and Transition grantees (and legacy FET projects) whose research results show commercial promise — by Programme Manager invitation only.
**status:** published
**official url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
**apply url:** https://boost-tech.eu/
**code:** PATHFINDER-BOOSTER
**description:** Up to €50,000 per grant for complementary innovation or portfolio work linked to eligible EIC projects. Invitation is required; BOOST uses restricted cut-offs. Normally three grants per Pathfinder project or one per Transition project.
**funding max eur:** 50000
**funding rate:** Lump sum; payment and reporting follow the BOOST agreement
**scope:** eu
**updated at:** 2026-10-12T13:41:45.392+00:00
**source updated at:** 2026-10-16T14:39:55.204+00:00

## Review record

**status:** outdated
**source url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101192038
**last verified at:** 2026-10-07T07:24:25.24+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-10-26T09:42:59.279+00:00

## Programme facts and structured content

**status:** published
**decision Facts:** 
  **funding:** Up to €50K per grant
  **funding Note:** Normally up to 3 grants per Pathfinder project or 1 per Transition project; invitation required.
  **application Mode:** invitation
**research Coverage:** 
  **scope:** Verified invitation routes, normal Pathfinder/Transition quotas, mixed evaluation committee and published restricted-call results; corrected fixed-payment and no-cut-off claims. Existing rich content is retained; verification covers the named corrections and newly added source references, not every historical statistic or paragraph.
  **sources:** 
    - https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
    - https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Application-form.pdf
    - https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Public-Summary-Report-cut-offs-7-to-10.docx.pdf
    - https://boost-tech.eu/boost-supports-39-innovation-projects-across-europe/
    - https://eic.ec.europa.eu/document/download/52598755-1351-4b54-b46b-e2682d0a3aec_en?filename=EIC-Work-Programme-2026.pdf
  **checked At:** 2026-10-12
  **remaining:** 
    - Check the invitation for the next restricted cut-off, application package, payment schedule and remaining allocation.
    - The full BOOST grant agreement and operational guide remain to be verified; selection is not a guarantee of immediate payment.
    - Legacy example projects and administrative timelines are retained only where not contradicted and need a full review.
    - Retained legacy document links were preserved, not all re-fetched; live PDF indexing was not performed.
**stages:** 
  - prototype
**cover:** 
  **alt:** Radiograph-inspired view of a sensor and its fine internal bond wires.
  **url:** /images/programmes/pathfinder-booster-v3.webp
  **credit:** AI-generated editorial illustration; does not depict a funded project.
  **position:** 50% 40%
**slug:** pathfinder-booster
**name:** EIC Pathfinder Booster
**short Name:** Pathfinder Booster
**tagline:** Up to €50K for complementary innovation and portfolio work by eligible invited EIC projects
**badge:** Grant
**funding Amount:** Up to €50,000 per Booster grant
**funding Type:** Fixed lump sum grant
**trl:** No set TRL
**eligibility:** 
  - You are an EIC Pathfinder grantee (current or past)
  - You are an EIC Transition grantee
  - You are a beneficiary of a legacy FET-Open or FET-Proactive project
  - You are a Technology Transfer Office (TTO) linked to an EIC project
  - Your research has generated results with potential commercial value
  - An EIC invitation is required, following a Programme Manager recommendation, project review or qualifying Tech2Market participation
  - Booster money funds commercialisation exploration only, not core research activities
**overview:** EIC Booster grants provide up to €50,000 for complementary commercialisation or portfolio work linked to eligible Pathfinder or Transition results. They are not a first research grant for an unrelated startup. A normal Pathfinder project may receive up to three Boosters; a Transition project normally receives one, with exceptions only when justified. Invitation can follow an EIC Programme Manager recommendation, project review or qualifying Tech2Market activity. BOOST implements a restricted call with scheduled cut-offs for invited applicants. Its June 2026 report records 25 selected proposals from 31 submissions across cut-offs 7–10; this is a selected, invited cohort rather than a general startup success rate.
**how To Apply:** 
  - Deliver on your Pathfinder (or Transition) project — the Booster targets projects whose funded research has generated promising, exploitable results.
  - Obtain the required EIC invitation through a Programme Manager recommendation, project review or qualifying Tech2Market participation. Follow the invitation and restricted call instructions.
  - Receive a formal invitation from the BOOST consortium (led by FundingBox) to submit a proposal on their dedicated platform — not the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
  - Submit a concise proposal covering the commercial potential of your results, your planned activities (market analysis, IP strategy, business case) and expected outcomes — far lighter than a full Pathfinder or Transition application.
  - Pass evaluation by a 3-person mixed committee — an EIC Programme Manager, an external expert, and a Project Officer or second expert — you need at least 2 of 3 GO votes.
  - Receive the €50K lump sum and run your commercialisation exploration, then submit a roughly 10-page final report on findings, market assessment and next steps.
**key Features:** 
  - Restricted to eligible EIC projects and invited related beneficiaries
  - Up to €50,000 per grant for complementary innovation or portfolio work
  - Normally up to 3 grants per Pathfinder project and 1 per Transition project; exceptions require justification
  - Invitation can follow a Programme Manager recommendation, project review or qualifying Tech2Market participation
  - Mixed committee; at least two GO decisions required
  - Follow the invitation and BOOST platform for restricted cut-off dates
**faqs:** 
  -     **answer:** An EIC invitation is required. It can follow a Programme Manager recommendation, project review or relevant Tech2Market activity. Invited applicants use the BOOST platform and its restricted cut-off schedule; this is not a public first-grant route.
    **question:** Can I apply for the Pathfinder Booster directly?
  -     **answer:** A lump sum of up to €50,000 per grant. Because it is a lump sum, there is no expense tracking, no timesheets and no budget breakdown — payment follows the BOOST grant agreement and submit a final report (roughly 10 pages) on what you achieved, not what you spent. An EIC Pathfinder project can receive up to three Booster grants (€150K total) where duly justified; EIC Transition projects are capped at one grant (€50K total).
    **question:** How much money is it, and how is it paid?
  -     **answer:** Commercialisation exploration only: market analysis and sizing, IP strategy and freedom-to-operate assessments, business case development, customer discovery and validation, stakeholder engagement, and technology transfer planning. It cannot fund core research, equipment or infrastructure, permanent hires, or activities already covered by your Pathfinder grant.
    **question:** What can I spend the €50K on?
  -     **answer:** BOOST published 31 submissions, 28 eligible proposals and 25 selections across cut-offs 7–10 in February–May 2026. These figures describe invited applicants only. At least two GO decisions from the mixed committee are required; use the invitation’s conditions.
    **question:** How competitive is the evaluation once I'm invited?
  -     **answer:** It is a bridge, not a destination. The Booster sits between Pathfinder research (TRL 1–4) and Transition validation (TRL 4–6); the work programme sets no TRL of its own. After your Booster activities you should know whether to apply for EIC Transition (up to €2.5M to validate the technology), aim for the EIC Accelerator's blended finance if you are further along (TRL 5+), pursue licensing through your technology transfer office, spin off a company, or park commercialisation if the market is not ready.
    **question:** How does the Booster relate to EIC Transition and the Accelerator?
  -     **answer:** No fixed deadlines — the scheme runs on a rolling, invitation-only basis from 2025 through 2027, until the roughly €6M BOOST pot (targeting at least 100 grantees) is exhausted. The practical implication: respond promptly when invited rather than waiting for a cut-off that does not exist.
    **question:** Is there a deadline?
  -     **answer:** Past as well as current EIC Pathfinder grantees are in scope, as are EIC Transition grantees, legacy FET-Open and FET-Proactive beneficiaries, and technology transfer offices linked to an EIC project. Eligibility still flows through the Programme Manager recommendation, so the practical route for a completed project is to contact your Programme Manager about exploitable results.
    **question:** My Pathfinder project has already ended — am I still eligible?
**related Slugs:** 
  - pathfinder-open
  - pathfinder-challenges
  - eic-transition
**keywords:** 
  - EIC Pathfinder Booster
  - Booster grant
  - EIC booster
  - commercialisation grant
  - lump sum
  - BOOST
  - FundingBox
  - technology transfer
  - Pathfinder follow-up
  - bridge funding
**success Rate:** 25 selected of 31 submissions in BOOST cut-offs 7–10 (restricted invited cohort; not public-call odds)
**typical Timeline:** Roughly 2–3 months from invitation to money: 1–2 weeks for the invitation, 2–4 weeks to prepare the proposal, 2–4 weeks for evaluation
**for Who:** Current or past EIC Pathfinder and EIC Transition grantees — plus beneficiaries of legacy FET-Open and FET-Proactive projects and their technology transfer offices — whose research has produced results with plausible commercial value. Not for you if you have no existing EIC or FET grant (there is no open call), if you want to fund core research (the Booster pays only for commercialisation exploration), or if you need more than €50K — in which case EIC Transition, at up to €2.5M, is the right instrument.
**honest Take:** This is complementary funding for an already eligible EIC project or invited related beneficiary. The key gate is the EIC invitation. Use the money for the additional innovation or portfolio activities accepted in that invitation, and do not duplicate work financed by the parent grant. Published BOOST cohorts demonstrate that invited proposals can still fail eligibility or evaluation. The amount is up to €50,000 per grant; payment follows the grant agreement.
**dashboard:** 
  **hero Stats:** 
    -       **sub:** complementary activities
      **label:** Per grant
      **value:** Up to €50K
    -       **sub:** Pathfinder / Transition project
      **label:** Normal quota
      **value:** 3 / 1 grants
    -       **sub:** restricted BOOST cut-offs
      **label:** Access
      **value:** Invitation
    -       **sub:** check contractual milestones
      **label:** Payment
      **value:** Agreement-specific
**app Steps:** 
  -     **num:** 1
    **time:** During your project
    **title:** Complete your Pathfinder project milestones
    **description:** Continue your funded Pathfinder (or Transition) research. The Booster is designed for projects that have generated promising results with potential commercial value.
  -     **num:** 2
    **time:** After a project review
    **title:** Obtain the EIC invitation
    **description:** An invitation may follow a Programme Manager recommendation, project review or qualifying Tech2Market activity. Use the relevant BOOST cut-off in the invitation.
  -     **num:** 3
    **link:** https://boost-tech.eu/
    **time:** 1–2 weeks after recommendation
    **title:** Receive your invitation from the BOOST CSA
    **link Label:** BOOST platform →
    **description:** Once recommended, the BOOST consortium (led by FundingBox) sends you a formal invitation to submit a Booster proposal through their dedicated platform — not through the standard EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
  -     **num:** 4
    **time:** 2–4 weeks to prepare
    **title:** Submit your Booster proposal
    **description:** Write a concise proposal outlining the commercial potential of your research results, your planned activities (market analysis, IP strategy, business case development), and expected outcomes. This is much lighter than a full Pathfinder or Transition application.
  -     **num:** 5
    **time:** 2–4 weeks
    **title:** Evaluation by a mixed review committee
    **pass Rate:** 2 of 3 GO votes required
    **description:** Your proposal is assessed by a mixed committee of 3 reviewers — typically an EIC Programme Manager, an external expert, and a Project Officer or second expert. You need at least 2 out of 3 'GO' votes to be selected. The evaluation focuses on commercialisation potential and quality of the proposed activities.
  -     **num:** 6
    **time:** Immediate after selection
    **title:** Receive your lump sum and start activities
    **description:** Upon selection, you receive the €50K lump sum grant. Carry out your commercialisation exploration activities: market sizing, IP consolidation, business planning, stakeholder engagement.
  -     **num:** 7
    **time:** Upon completion
    **title:** Submit final report
    **description:** At the end of your Booster activities, submit a concise final report (~10 pages) describing your findings, market assessment, and recommended next steps. This informs your path to EIC Transition or Accelerator.
**documents:** 
  -     **url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/document/download/52598755-1351-4b54-b46b-e2682d0a3aec_en?filename=EIC-Work-Programme-2026.pdf
    **title:** EIC Work Programme 2026 — Booster Annex 5
    **format:** PDF
    **details:** 
      **why:** Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.
      **when:** Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone
      **pages:** 209
      **contains:** Invitation triggers, eligible complementary activities, normal project quotas and mixed-committee assessment.
    **description:** Invitation triggers, eligible complementary activities, normal project quotas and mixed-committee assessment.
  -     **url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101192038
    **title:** BOOST project description (CORDIS)
    **format:** Web
    **description:** Official description of the BOOST Coordination and Support Action (project 101192038) that administers Booster grants — coordinator FundingBox, ~€6M, 2025–2027, 100+ target grantees.
  -     **url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder_en
    **title:** EIC Pathfinder funding page
    **format:** Web
    **description:** Official EIC page covering the full Pathfinder pipeline, including the €50,000 Booster grants for testing commercialisation potential.
  -     **url:** https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/lump-sum-funding_he_en.pdf
    **title:** Lump sum funding guide
    **format:** PDF
    **description:** How lump sum grants work in Horizon Europe — applies to the €50K Booster payment.
  -     **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Application-form.pdf
    **title:** BOOST application form
    **format:** PDF
    **details:** 
      **why:** Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.
      **when:** Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone
      **contains:** Operator application structure, ethics self-assessment and declaration of honour; invited applicants must use the current platform version.
    **description:** Operator application structure, ethics self-assessment and declaration of honour; invited applicants must use the current platform version.
  -     **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Public-Summary-Report-cut-offs-7-to-10.docx.pdf
    **title:** BOOST evaluation summary — cut-offs 7–10
    **format:** PDF
    **details:** 
      **why:** Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.
      **when:** Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone
      **pages:** 4
      **contains:** 2026 restricted-call results and beneficiary list; historical outcomes, not a current invitation.
    **description:** 2026 restricted-call results and beneficiary list; historical outcomes, not a current invitation.
  -     **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-supports-39-innovation-projects-across-europe/
    **title:** BOOST first six cut-offs — official result notice
    **format:** Web
    **details:** 
      **why:** Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.
      **when:** Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone
      **contains:** March 2025–January 2026 cohort: 41 submissions, 39 selections and €1.94M awarded.
    **description:** March 2025–January 2026 cohort: 41 submissions, 39 selections and €1.94M awarded.
**documents Categories:** 
  -     **items:** 
      -         **url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/document/download/52598755-1351-4b54-b46b-e2682d0a3aec_en?filename=EIC-Work-Programme-2026.pdf
        **title:** EIC Work Programme 2026 — Booster Annex 5
        **format:** PDF
        **details:** 
          **why:** Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.
          **when:** Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone
          **pages:** 209
          **contains:** Invitation triggers, eligible complementary activities, normal project quotas and mixed-committee assessment.
        **description:** Invitation triggers, eligible complementary activities, normal project quotas and mixed-committee assessment.
      -         **url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101192038
        **title:** BOOST project description (CORDIS)
        **format:** Web
        **description:** Official description of the BOOST Coordination and Support Action (project 101192038) that administers Booster grants — coordinator FundingBox, ~€6M, 2025–2027, 100+ target grantees.
      -         **url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder_en
        **title:** EIC Pathfinder funding page
        **format:** Web
        **description:** Official EIC page covering the full Pathfinder pipeline, including the €50,000 Booster grants for testing commercialisation potential.
      -         **url:** https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/lump-sum-funding_he_en.pdf
        **title:** Lump sum funding guide
        **format:** PDF
        **description:** How lump sum grants work in Horizon Europe — applies to the €50K Booster payment.
    **category:** Existing references
  -     **items:** 
      -         **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Application-form.pdf
        **title:** BOOST application form
        **format:** PDF
        **details:** 
          **why:** Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.
          **when:** Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone
          **contains:** Operator application structure, ethics self-assessment and declaration of honour; invited applicants must use the current platform version.
        **description:** Operator application structure, ethics self-assessment and declaration of honour; invited applicants must use the current platform version.
      -         **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Public-Summary-Report-cut-offs-7-to-10.docx.pdf
        **title:** BOOST evaluation summary — cut-offs 7–10
        **format:** PDF
        **details:** 
          **why:** Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.
          **when:** Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone
          **pages:** 4
          **contains:** 2026 restricted-call results and beneficiary list; historical outcomes, not a current invitation.
        **description:** 2026 restricted-call results and beneficiary list; historical outcomes, not a current invitation.
      -         **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-supports-39-innovation-projects-across-europe/
        **title:** BOOST first six cut-offs — official result notice
        **format:** Web
        **details:** 
          **why:** Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.
          **when:** Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone
          **contains:** March 2025–January 2026 cohort: 41 submissions, 39 selections and €1.94M awarded.
        **description:** March 2025–January 2026 cohort: 41 submissions, 39 selections and €1.94M awarded.
    **category:** Current official research
**criteria:** 
  -     **name:** Commercial potential
    **threshold:** GO/NO-GO
    **description:** The research results show clear potential for commercialisation or societal impact. There's an identifiable market or application domain.
    **sub Criteria:** 
      - Clear identification of exploitable results from your Pathfinder project
      - Evidence of market demand or societal need
      - Plausible path from research to product/service
      - Understanding of the competitive landscape
  -     **name:** Quality of proposed activities
    **threshold:** GO/NO-GO
    **description:** The proposed Booster activities are well-designed to explore and validate the commercial opportunity. Activities are realistic for the €50K budget.
    **sub Criteria:** 
      - Concrete plan for market analysis or customer discovery
      - IP strategy or freedom-to-operate assessment
      - Business model canvas or preliminary business case
      - Clear deliverables and timeline
  -     **name:** Team capability
    **threshold:** GO/NO-GO
    **description:** The applicant has the right skills and motivation to carry out the commercialisation exploration, or has identified external support (TTO, advisors).
    **sub Criteria:** 
      - Relevant entrepreneurial or business development experience
      - Connection to Technology Transfer Office or business support
      - Commitment to follow through on Booster findings
      - Plan for next steps after Booster (Transition, Accelerator, spin-off)
**for Who Checks:** 
  **no:** 
    - No existing EIC/FET grant → EIC Pathfinder (this is invitation-only, no open call)
    - Need real validation money, not €50K → EIC Transition (up to €2.5M)
    - Startup past the lab, seeking grant + equity → EIC Accelerator
    - Want to fund more research → Pathfinder Open (grants up to €4M)
  **yes:** 
    - EIC Pathfinder grantee (current or recent)
    - EIC Transition grantee — max 1 Booster
    - Legacy Horizon 2020 project: EIC pilot Pathfinder, FET-Open, FET-Proactive
    - Technology Transfer Office or inventor linked to an EIC project
    - Research results worth a commercial test
  **note:** Invitation is required following a Programme Manager recommendation, project review or qualifying Tech2Market activity. BOOST uses restricted cut-offs; the invitation gives the submission route.
**money:** 
  **notes:** 
    -       **text:** The award is a lump sum of up to €50,000. Follow the BOOST agreement for payment conditions, evidence of completed activities and reporting; an invitation or selection is not proof that money has been disbursed.
      **title:** Lump sum means no expense tracking.
    -       **text:** BOOST uses restricted cut-offs for EIC-invited applicants. A mixed committee assesses proposals; funding, payment milestones and reporting follow the invitation and grant agreement.
      **title:** Restricted cut-offs and selection
    -       **text:** The money covers market analysis, intellectual-property strategy and freedom-to-operate checks, business-case work, customer discovery and technology-transfer planning. It does not pay for core research, equipment, or anything your Pathfinder grant already covers.
      **title:** Commercialisation exploration only.
    -       **text:** The European Commission funds the BOOST project — a Coordination and Support Action led by FundingBox (Poland) with FundingBox Communities, Splorotech, Barcelona Mobile World Capital Foundation and 3URA — which administers invitations, evaluation and payouts on the Commission's behalf.
      **title:** Your contract is with a consortium, not Brussels.
  **title:** The money — a €50K invitation-only lump sum
  **blocks:** 
    -       **sub:** Fixed lump sum — no budget lines, no timesheets
      **label:** Per grant
      **value:** €50,000
    -       **sub:** €150,000 cumulative cap; Transition projects get max 1
      **label:** Per Pathfinder project
      **value:** 3 × €50K
    -       **sub:** BOOST budget €5,999,932.50 — at least 83% cascades to grantees
      **label:** Total pot
      **value:** €6M
    -       **sub:** Grantees between 2025 and 2027, first-come first-served
      **label:** Target
      **value:** 100+
**honest Numbers:** 
  **note:** Published results exist: BOOST reported 25 selections from 31 submissions in cut-offs 7–10, with 28 eligible proposals and €1,249,601.75 awarded. This is an invited cohort; it does not measure the chance for a startup without an invitation.
  **rows:** 
    -       **where:** CORDIS fact sheet, project 101192038
      **figure:** €5,999,932.50
      **metric:** Total BOOST budget (2025–2027)
    -       **where:** CORDIS fact sheet
      **figure:** ≥83% (≈€5M)
      **metric:** Share cascaded to grantees
    -       **where:** CORDIS project objective
      **figure:** 100+
      **metric:** Target grantees by end-2027
    -       **where:** EIC Booster Grant Scheme rules
      **figure:** €50,000
      **metric:** Maximum per grant
    -       **where:** EIC Booster Grant Scheme rules
      **figure:** 3 grants / €150,000
      **metric:** Cap per Pathfinder project
    -       **where:** EIC Booster Grant Scheme rules
      **figure:** 1 grant
      **metric:** Cap per Transition project
    -       **where:** EIC Booster Grant Scheme rules
      **figure:** 2 of 3 GO
      **metric:** Votes needed to win
  **title:** Booster by the numbers — what's actually published
  **columns:** 
    -       **key:** metric
      **label:** Metric
    -       **key:** figure
      **label:** Figure
    -       **key:** where
      **label:** Where it's stated
**after Funded:** 
  **items:** 
    -       **text:** Booster activities are short — designed to answer one question: does this research have a commercial path? You run market analysis, customer discovery and IP groundwork, then decide.
      **title:** A sprint, not a project
    -       **text:** Because the grant is a lump sum, the only deliverable is a final report of roughly 10 pages covering findings, market assessment and next steps. The BOOST consortium's final payment from the Commission hinges on report approval, so they will chase you for it.
      **title:** A ~10-page final report
    -       **text:** BOOST follows up half a year after your grant ends to record what happened — spin-off, licence, follow-on application or shelf. Results feed a dashboard the Commission uses to judge the scheme.
      **title:** An impact survey six months later
    -       **text:** The intended exits: EIC Transition (up to €2.5M to validate and demonstrate, TRL 4–6), EIC Accelerator (€2.5M grant plus equity if you're further along), licensing via your Technology Transfer Office, a spin-off — or an honest decision to park it.
      **title:** A signpost to the next instrument
    -       **text:** The same EIC Programme Manager who recommended you manages the portfolio your project sits in. A good Booster outcome strengthens your hand for the next recommendation or portfolio activity.
      **title:** A Programme Manager who stays in the loop
**links:** 
  -     **url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder_en
    **label:** EIC Pathfinder — official page (Booster grants section)
  -     **url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/programme/id/HORIZON_HORIZON-EIC-2024-BOOSTER
    **label:** EIC Booster Grant Scheme — rules on CORDIS
  -     **url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101192038
    **label:** BOOST project fact sheet on CORDIS
  -     **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/
    **label:** BOOST project site (FundingBox consortium)
  -     **url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-2026-work-programme_en
    **label:** EIC Work Programme 2026 (official page — always current version)
  -     **url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-communities/eic-programme-managers_en
    **label:** EIC Programme Managers — who recommends you
  -     **url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-transition_en
    **label:** EIC Transition — the natural next step
  -     **url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/document/download/52598755-1351-4b54-b46b-e2682d0a3aec_en?filename=EIC-Work-Programme-2026.pdf
    **group:** Reference
    **label:** EIC Work Programme 2026 — Booster Annex 5
  -     **url:** https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/lump-sum-funding_he_en.pdf
    **group:** Reference
    **label:** Lump sum funding guide
  -     **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Application-form.pdf
    **group:** Reference
    **label:** BOOST application form
  -     **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Public-Summary-Report-cut-offs-7-to-10.docx.pdf
    **group:** Reference
    **label:** BOOST evaluation summary — cut-offs 7–10
  -     **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-supports-39-innovation-projects-across-europe/
    **group:** Reference
    **label:** BOOST first six cut-offs — official result notice
**funded Examples:** 
  -     **url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101192038
    **blurb:** The intermediary that runs the Pathfinder Booster scheme on the EIC's behalf, channelling roughly 83% of its budget straight to innovators as up to €50,000 grants to at least 100 EIC awardees on a first-come, first-served basis.
    **title:** Bringing financial support to innOvation and pOrtfolio activitieS increasing impacT of eic-supported research
    **acronym:** BOOST
    **country:** Poland
    **funding:** €5,999,932.50
    **challenge:** HORIZON-EIC-2024-BOOSTER (the body that actually distributes the Booster grants)
  -     **url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101070856
    **blurb:** Coordinated by France's CNRS, this Pathfinder project oxidises biomass-derived molecules to produce green hydrogen at a lower energy cost than splitting water; the type of awardee a Booster grant pushes toward commercialisation.
    **title:** ELectrOlysis of BIOmass
    **acronym:** ELOBIO
    **country:** France
    **funding:** €4,395,570.38
    **challenge:** EIC Pathfinder Challenge (HORIZON-EIC-2021-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01-04, novel routes to green hydrogen)
  -     **url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101223193
    **blurb:** Run by the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, it builds a solar-powered device that turns waste nitrates and carbon dioxide into useful chemicals such as urea, the kind of deep-tech result a Booster grant helps move to market.
    **title:** Fully-Integrated PV-EC Device for the Production of C-N Chemicals
    **acronym:** SUN2CN
    **country:** Luxembourg
    **funding:** €3,997,401.47
    **challenge:** EIC Pathfinder Challenge (HORIZON-EIC-2024-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01)
  -     **url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101184379
    **blurb:** Led by the University of Trento, this Pathfinder Open project builds a platform letting musicians in different places perform together in real time without perceptible lag, an awardee eligible for Booster top-up funding.
    **title:** Musical Metaverse made in Europe: an innovation lab for musicians and audiences of the future
    **acronym:** MUSMET
    **country:** Italy
    **funding:** €3,000,000.00
    **challenge:** EIC Pathfinder Open (HORIZON-EIC-2024-PATHFINDEROPEN-01-01)
  -     **url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101098961
    **blurb:** Coordinated by Spain's CSIC research council, it develops programmable photonic chips that fold tiny mechanical switches into silicon photonics for data centres and brain-inspired computing, a research result a Booster grant helps commercialise.
    **title:** Nano electro-optomechanical programmable integrated circuits
    **acronym:** NEUROPIC
    **country:** Spain
    **funding:** €2,999,921.50
    **challenge:** EIC Pathfinder Open (HORIZON-EIC-2022-PATHFINDEROPEN-01-01)
**practical Notes:** 
  -     **text:** The Pathfinder Booster is not a competitive open call you can enter on your own. Only EIC awardees who receive an EIC-endorsed invitation to submit are eligible, and that invitation follows a positive recommendation from your EIC Programme Manager or an EIC project review. Practically: the lever you control is your relationship with your Programme Manager, not a proposal deadline.
    **title:** It is invitation-only — you cannot apply cold.
  -     **text:** Day-to-day the scheme is operated as cascade (third-party) funding by the BOOST project (Bringing financial support to innovation and portfolio activities), which supports EISMEA in implementing EIC Booster Grants. Once invited, you submit via the official form provided under the invitation through BOOST's own IT system at one of the periodic cut-offs, not the standard Funding & Tenders Portal call page.
    **title:** The call is run by the BOOST CSA project, not EISMEA directly.
  -     **text:** For Pathfinder Challenges, the Programme Manager builds a common roadmap across portfolio projects (shared data, joint market analysis, investor contacts) and brokers commercialisation routes including Booster grants. Boosters explicitly fund both commercialisation-pathway exploration AND portfolio activities — so framing your need in those terms during portfolio meetings and project reviews is what triggers the invitation.
    **title:** Engineer the Programme Manager recommendation around portfolio activities.
  -     **text:** Each Booster grant is a fixed amount not exceeding €50,000, awarded as a lump sum. Evaluation is by a 3-person committee (an EIC Programme Manager plus external experts); a proposal needs at least two GO votes to be selected, then passes admissibility and legal validation. It is deliberately fast and complementary funding — not a second research grant.
    **title:** Scope: lump sum of up to €50,000, light evaluation.
  -     **text:** The operator publishes evaluation summaries with cut-off dates, eligible proposals and funded beneficiaries. They are useful for understanding what has been supported, but they do not open the call to the public.
    **title:** Use the actual restricted-call record
**eligibility Notes:** 
  -     **text:** Booster grants are awarded outside any call for proposals (under Article 47(2) of the Horizon Europe Regulation). You must first be invited, and the invitation only follows one of three triggers: a positive recommendation from your EIC (European Innovation Council) Programme Manager, the outcome of a project review, or participation in the EIC Tech2Market Business Acceleration Services — specifically the Business Validation or Venture Building programmes. Cold applications do not exist in this scheme; cultivate your Programme Manager relationship early.
    **title:** Invitation-only — you cannot simply apply
  -     **text:** The applicant pool is wider than most assume: EIC Awardees themselves, their Technology Transfer Offices, EIC Inventors, and other third parties — provided they hold the necessary access rights or have been formally entrusted with the task by the awardee. Affiliated entities participating in the Pathfinder or Transition project also count. Legacy projects qualify too: grants resulting from certain EIC pilot Pathfinder, FET-Open and FET-Proactive calls (Future and Emerging Technologies, the Horizon 2020 predecessor) are explicitly in scope.
    **title:** Eligible applicants reach beyond the project coordinator
  -     **text:** A maximum of three Booster grants per EIC Pathfinder project, and a maximum of one per EIC Transition project. More can be awarded only in exceptional and duly justified cases. A Booster can go to an individual awardee or a group of awardees — but the quota attaches to the parent project, so consortium partners are effectively competing for the same allocation.
    **title:** Hard quota per parent project
  -     **text:** Booster grants do not fund research, activities already foreseen in the original project's description of action, or anything already funded by other EIC instruments. Eligible uses are commercialisation exploration (market analysis, IP consolidation, freedom-to-operate, business case development, testing with customers, spin-off preparation, incubator hosting) or portfolio activities across EIC projects. Double-dipping is the classic rejection ground.
    **title:** What the €50,000 will not fund
  -     **text:** Each proposal is assessed by a mixed committee of three: an EIC Programme Manager, an external expert from a trained pool, and either an EIC Project Officer or a second external expert. Each gives a GO or NO GO against the award criteria; at least two GOs are needed for selection. Rejected applicants may be invited to resubmit an adjusted proposal — but only at the committee's invitation, not as of right.
    **title:** Three-evaluator GO/NO-GO — with a committee-controlled resubmission path
  -     **text:** Innovation-activity Boosters are not paid by EISMEA (the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency) directly but by the BOOST consortium — a Coordination and Support Action coordinated by FundingBox Accelerator (Poland), selected under call HORIZON-EIC-2024-BOOSTER and running 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027. It serves at least 100 EIC awardees on a first-come, first-served basis, so the practical constraint is budget exhaustion, not a deadline.
    **title:** The money flows through a third-party CSA, first-come first-served
  -     **text:** The work programme normally permits three Boosters per Pathfinder project and one per Transition project. Exceptional additional awards require justification; eligibility does not guarantee selection or payment.
    **title:** Use the normal quota, not a universal €150K entitlement
**calls Timeline:** 
  -     **date:** Any time (scheme open through 31 Dec 2027)
    **note:** A positive recommendation from your EIC Programme Manager, a project-review outcome, or participation in the Tech2Market Business Validation/Venture Building programmes flags you for a Booster.
    **label:** Trigger event
  -     **date:** Following the trigger
    **note:** The BOOST CSA sends an invitation through its constantly open call, run on its own IT platform — submission is impossible without it.
    **label:** Invitation to submit
  -     **date:** T+0 (your choice, continuous submission)
    **note:** Short proposal for commercialisation-exploration or portfolio activities, fixed amount up to €50,000 as a lump sum.
    **label:** Proposal submitted
  -     **date:** After submission (turnaround not published)
    **note:** Three evaluators (Programme Manager + external expert + Project Officer or second expert); at least two GOs selects you. Horizon Europe's standard 5-month inform / 8-month grant clocks do not formally apply, as this sits outside any call.
    **label:** Committee evaluation — GO/NO GO
  -     **date:** After selection
    **note:** Signed with the BOOST CSA (FundingBox-coordinated consortium), not with EISMEA.
    **label:** Booster grant agreement signed
  -     **date:** After signature
    **note:** The CSA pays 70% of the total lump sum upfront.
    **label:** 70% pre-financing paid
  -     **date:** End of Booster project
    **note:** A final report of around 10 pages presenting results; the remaining balance is paid after its approval.
    **label:** Final report and final payment
  -     **date:** End + 6 months
    **note:** The CSA runs an impact survey six months after the Booster ends — feeding EIC monitoring data, not a payment condition.
    **label:** Impact survey
**open Calls Note:** **Open now**
- BOOST runs a restricted call for applicants invited by the EIC. It is not open to other startups.

**Good to know**
- Applications are grouped into cut-offs; check your invitation and the current platform for the next date.
- Source: https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
**total Budget2026:** €6M total BOOST pot (2025–2027)
**companies Funded:** 100+ grantees targeted (2025–2027)

## After you're funded (after_funded)

Official source: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101192038

**after Funded:** 
  **items:** 
    -       **text:** Booster activities are short — designed to answer one question: does this research have a commercial path? You run market analysis, customer discovery and IP groundwork, then decide.
      **title:** A sprint, not a project
    -       **text:** Because the grant is a lump sum, the only deliverable is a final report of roughly 10 pages covering findings, market assessment and next steps. The BOOST consortium's final payment from the Commission hinges on report approval, so they will chase you for it.
      **title:** A ~10-page final report
    -       **text:** BOOST follows up half a year after your grant ends to record what happened — spin-off, licence, follow-on application or shelf. Results feed a dashboard the Commission uses to judge the scheme.
      **title:** An impact survey six months later
    -       **text:** The intended exits: EIC Transition (up to €2.5M to validate and demonstrate, TRL 4–6), EIC Accelerator (€2.5M grant plus equity if you're further along), licensing via your Technology Transfer Office, a spin-off — or an honest decision to park it.
      **title:** A signpost to the next instrument
    -       **text:** The same EIC Programme Manager who recommended you manages the portfolio your project sits in. A good Booster outcome strengthens your hand for the next recommendation or portfolio activity.
      **title:** A Programme Manager who stays in the loop

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:after_funded
**status:** ok
**source url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-transition_en
**last verified at:** 2026-10-13T07:39:15.498+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-10-28T02:01:56.586+00:00

## Funding amounts (amounts)

Official source: https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/

**funding Type:** Fixed lump sum grant — €50,000 awarded as a lump sum, with payment and reporting governed by the BOOST grant agreement; you report on what you achieved, not what you spent. EIC Pathfinder projects can receive up to 3 Booster grants (€150K total) where duly justified; EIC Transition projects are capped at 1 Booster grant (€50K total). The total BOOST pot is roughly €6M for 2025–2027, of which over 80% flows directly to grantees. Eligible spending: market analysis and sizing, IP strategy and freedom-to-operate, business case development, customer discovery, stakeholder engagement, technology transfer planning. Not eligible: core research, equipment, permanent hires, or anything already covered by your Pathfinder grant.
**funding Amount:** Up to €50,000 per Booster grant

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:amounts
**status:** outdated
**source url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
**last verified at:** 2026-10-07T07:24:25.24+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-11-18T09:42:59.423+00:00

## How to apply — the process (app_steps)

Official source: https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/

**steps:** 
  -     **num:** 1
    **time:** During your project
    **title:** Complete your Pathfinder project milestones
    **description:** Continue your funded Pathfinder (or Transition) research. The Booster is designed for projects that have generated promising results with potential commercial value.
  -     **num:** 2
    **time:** After a project review
    **title:** Obtain the EIC invitation
    **description:** An invitation may follow a Programme Manager recommendation, project review or qualifying Tech2Market activity. Use the relevant BOOST cut-off in the invitation.
  -     **num:** 3
    **link:** https://boost-tech.eu/
    **time:** 1–2 weeks after recommendation
    **title:** Receive your invitation from the BOOST CSA
    **link Label:** BOOST platform →
    **description:** Once recommended, the BOOST consortium (led by FundingBox) sends you a formal invitation to submit a Booster proposal through their dedicated platform — not through the standard EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
  -     **num:** 4
    **time:** 2–4 weeks to prepare
    **title:** Submit your Booster proposal
    **description:** Write a concise proposal outlining the commercial potential of your research results, your planned activities (market analysis, IP strategy, business case development), and expected outcomes. This is much lighter than a full Pathfinder or Transition application.
  -     **num:** 5
    **time:** 2–4 weeks
    **title:** Evaluation by a mixed review committee
    **pass Rate:** 2 of 3 GO votes required
    **description:** Your proposal is assessed by a mixed committee of 3 reviewers — typically an EIC Programme Manager, an external expert, and a Project Officer or second expert. You need at least 2 out of 3 'GO' votes to be selected. The evaluation focuses on commercialisation potential and quality of the proposed activities.
  -     **num:** 6
    **time:** Immediate after selection
    **title:** Receive your lump sum and start activities
    **description:** Upon selection, you receive the €50K lump sum grant. Carry out your commercialisation exploration activities: market sizing, IP consolidation, business planning, stakeholder engagement.
  -     **num:** 7
    **time:** Upon completion
    **title:** Submit final report
    **description:** At the end of your Booster activities, submit a concise final report (~10 pages) describing your findings, market assessment, and recommended next steps. This informs your path to EIC Transition or Accelerator.

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:app_steps
**status:** outdated
**source url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
**last verified at:** 2026-10-07T07:24:25.24+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-11-18T09:43:00.519+00:00

## How to apply (apply)

Official source: https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/

**how To Apply:** 
  - Deliver on your Pathfinder (or Transition) project — the Booster targets projects whose funded research has generated promising, exploitable results.
  - Obtain the required EIC invitation through a Programme Manager recommendation, project review or qualifying Tech2Market participation. Follow the invitation and restricted call instructions.
  - Receive a formal invitation from the BOOST consortium (led by FundingBox) to submit a proposal on their dedicated platform — not the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
  - Submit a concise proposal covering the commercial potential of your results, your planned activities (market analysis, IP strategy, business case) and expected outcomes — far lighter than a full Pathfinder or Transition application.
  - Pass evaluation by a 3-person mixed committee — an EIC Programme Manager, an external expert, and a Project Officer or second expert — you need at least 2 of 3 GO votes.
  - Receive the €50K lump sum and run your commercialisation exploration, then submit a roughly 10-page final report on findings, market assessment and next steps.

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:apply
**status:** outdated
**source url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
**last verified at:** 2026-10-07T07:24:25.24+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-11-18T09:42:57.782+00:00

## From submission to money (calls_timeline)

**milestones:** 
  -     **date:** Any time (scheme open through 31 Dec 2027)
    **note:** A positive recommendation from your EIC Programme Manager, a project-review outcome, or participation in the Tech2Market Business Validation/Venture Building programmes flags you for a Booster.
    **label:** Trigger event
  -     **date:** Following the trigger
    **note:** The BOOST CSA sends an invitation through its constantly open call, run on its own IT platform — submission is impossible without it.
    **label:** Invitation to submit
  -     **date:** T+0 (your choice, continuous submission)
    **note:** Short proposal for commercialisation-exploration or portfolio activities, fixed amount up to €50,000 as a lump sum.
    **label:** Proposal submitted
  -     **date:** After submission (turnaround not published)
    **note:** Three evaluators (Programme Manager + external expert + Project Officer or second expert); at least two GOs selects you. Horizon Europe's standard 5-month inform / 8-month grant clocks do not formally apply, as this sits outside any call.
    **label:** Committee evaluation — GO/NO GO
  -     **date:** After selection
    **note:** Signed with the BOOST CSA (FundingBox-coordinated consortium), not with EISMEA.
    **label:** Booster grant agreement signed
  -     **date:** After signature
    **note:** The CSA pays 70% of the total lump sum upfront.
    **label:** 70% pre-financing paid
  -     **date:** End of Booster project
    **note:** A final report of around 10 pages presenting results; the remaining balance is paid after its approval.
    **label:** Final report and final payment
  -     **date:** End + 6 months
    **note:** The CSA runs an impact survey six months after the Booster ends — feeding EIC monitoring data, not a payment condition.
    **label:** Impact survey

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:calls_timeline
**status:** ok
**source url:** https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-eic-2024-booster
**last verified at:** 2026-09-27T07:27:03.695+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-10-26T02:02:19.67+00:00

## What evaluators look for (criteria)

Official source: https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder_en

**criteria:** 
  -     **name:** Commercial potential
    **threshold:** GO/NO-GO
    **description:** The research results show clear potential for commercialisation or societal impact. There's an identifiable market or application domain.
    **sub Criteria:** 
      - Clear identification of exploitable results from your Pathfinder project
      - Evidence of market demand or societal need
      - Plausible path from research to product/service
      - Understanding of the competitive landscape
  -     **name:** Quality of proposed activities
    **threshold:** GO/NO-GO
    **description:** The proposed Booster activities are well-designed to explore and validate the commercial opportunity. Activities are realistic for the €50K budget.
    **sub Criteria:** 
      - Concrete plan for market analysis or customer discovery
      - IP strategy or freedom-to-operate assessment
      - Business model canvas or preliminary business case
      - Clear deliverables and timeline
  -     **name:** Team capability
    **threshold:** GO/NO-GO
    **description:** The applicant has the right skills and motivation to carry out the commercialisation exploration, or has identified external support (TTO, advisors).
    **sub Criteria:** 
      - Relevant entrepreneurial or business development experience
      - Connection to Technology Transfer Office or business support
      - Commitment to follow through on Booster findings
      - Plan for next steps after Booster (Transition, Accelerator, spin-off)

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:criteria
**status:** ok
**source url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder_en
**last verified at:** 2026-10-07T07:24:25.24+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-10-26T09:43:23.175+00:00

## Documents & templates (documents)

Official source: https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/

{"categories": [{"category": "Existing references", "items": [{"title": "EIC Work Programme 2026 — Booster Annex 5", "url": "https://eic.ec.europa.eu/document/download/52598755-1351-4b54-b46b-e2682d0a3aec_en?filename=EIC-Work-Programme-2026.pdf", "description": "Invitation triggers, eligible complementary activities, normal project quotas and mixed-committee assessment.", "format": "PDF", "details": {"contains": "Invitation triggers, eligible complementary activities, normal project quotas and mixed-committee assessment.", "why": "Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.", "when": "Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone", "pages": "209"}}, {"url": "https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101192038", "title": "BOOST project description (CORDIS)", "format": "Web", "description": "Official description of the BOOST Coordination and Support Action (project 101192038) that administers Booster grants — coordinator FundingBox, ~€6M, 2025–2027, 100+ target grantees."}, {"url": "https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder_en", "title": "EIC Pathfinder funding page", "format": "Web", "description": "Official EIC page covering the full Pathfinder pipeline, including the €50,000 Booster grants for testing commercialisation potential."}, {"url": "https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/lump-sum-funding_he_en.pdf", "title": "Lump sum funding guide", "format": "PDF", "description": "How lump sum grants work in Horizon Europe — applies to the €50K Booster payment."}]}, {"category": "Current official research", "items": [{"title": "BOOST application form", "url": "https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Application-form.pdf", "description": "Operator application structure, ethics self-assessment and declaration of honour; invited applicants must use the current platform version.", "format": "PDF", "details": {"contains": "Operator application structure, ethics self-assessment and declaration of honour; invited applicants must use the current platform version.", "why": "Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.", "when": "Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone", "pages": ""}}, {"title": "BOOST evaluation summary — cut-offs 7–10", "url": "https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Public-Summary-Report-cut-offs-7-to-10.docx.pdf", "description": "2026 restricted-call results and beneficiary list; historical outcomes, not a current invitation.", "format": "PDF", "details": {"contains": "2026 restricted-call results and beneficiary list; historical outcomes, not a current invitation.", "why": "Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.", "when": "Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone", "pages": "4"}}, {"title": "BOOST first six cut-offs — official result notice", "url": "https://boost-tech.eu/boost-supports-39-innovation-projects-across-europe/", "description": "March 2025–January 2026 cohort: 41 submissions, 39 selections and €1.94M awarded.", "format": "Web", "details": {"contains": "March 2025–January 2026 cohort: 41 submissions, 39 selections and €1.94M awarded.", "why": "Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.", "when": "Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone", "pages": ""}}]}], "documents": [{"title": "EIC Work Programme 2026 — Booster Annex 5", "url": "https://eic.ec.europa.eu/document/download/52598755-1351-4b54-b46b-e2682d0a3aec_en?filename=EIC-Work-Programme-2026.pdf", "description": "Invitation triggers, eligible complementary activities, normal project quotas and mixed-committee assessment.", "format": "PDF", "details": {"contains": "Invitation triggers, eligible complementary activities, normal project quotas and mixed-committee assessment.", "why": "Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.", "when": "Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone", "pages": "209"}}, {"url": "https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101192038", "title": "BOOST project description (CORDIS)", "format": "Web", "description": "Official description of the BOOST Coordination and Support Action (project 101192038) that administers Booster grants — coordinator FundingBox, ~€6M, 2025–2027, 100+ target grantees."}, {"url": "https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder_en", "title": "EIC Pathfinder funding page", "format": "Web", "description": "Official EIC page covering the full Pathfinder pipeline, including the €50,000 Booster grants for testing commercialisation potential."}, {"url": "https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/lump-sum-funding_he_en.pdf", "title": "Lump sum funding guide", "format": "PDF", "description": "How lump sum grants work in Horizon Europe — applies to the €50K Booster payment."}, {"title": "BOOST application form", "url": "https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Application-form.pdf", "description": "Operator application structure, ethics self-assessment and declaration of honour; invited applicants must use the current platform version.", "format": "PDF", "details": {"contains": "Operator application structure, ethics self-assessment and declaration of honour; invited applicants must use the current platform version.", "why": "Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.", "when": "Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone", "pages": ""}}, {"title": "BOOST evaluation summary — cut-offs 7–10", "url": "https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Public-Summary-Report-cut-offs-7-to-10.docx.pdf", "description": "2026 restricted-call results and beneficiary list; historical outcomes, not a current invitation.", "format": "PDF", "details": {"contains": "2026 restricted-call results and beneficiary list; historical outcomes, not a current invitation.", "why": "Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.", "when": "Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone", "pages": "4"}}, {"title": "BOOST first six cut-offs — official result notice", "url": "https://boost-tech.eu/boost-supports-39-innovation-projects-across-europe/", "description": "March 2025–January 2026 cohort: 41 submissions, 39 selections and €1.94M awarded.", "format": "Web", "details": {"contains": "March 2025–January 2026 cohort: 41 submissions, 39 selections and €1.94M awarded.", "why": "Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.", "when": "Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone", "pages": ""}}]}
**documents:** 
  -     **url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/document/download/52598755-1351-4b54-b46b-e2682d0a3aec_en?filename=EIC-Work-Programme-2026.pdf
    **title:** EIC Work Programme 2026 — Booster Annex 5
    **format:** PDF
    **details:** 
      **why:** Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.
      **when:** Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone
      **pages:** 209
      **contains:** Invitation triggers, eligible complementary activities, normal project quotas and mixed-committee assessment.
    **description:** Invitation triggers, eligible complementary activities, normal project quotas and mixed-committee assessment.
  -     **url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101192038
    **title:** BOOST project description (CORDIS)
    **format:** Web
    **description:** Official description of the BOOST Coordination and Support Action (project 101192038) that administers Booster grants — coordinator FundingBox, ~€6M, 2025–2027, 100+ target grantees.
  -     **url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder_en
    **title:** EIC Pathfinder funding page
    **format:** Web
    **description:** Official EIC page covering the full Pathfinder pipeline, including the €50,000 Booster grants for testing commercialisation potential.
  -     **url:** https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/lump-sum-funding_he_en.pdf
    **title:** Lump sum funding guide
    **format:** PDF
    **description:** How lump sum grants work in Horizon Europe — applies to the €50K Booster payment.
  -     **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Application-form.pdf
    **title:** BOOST application form
    **format:** PDF
    **details:** 
      **why:** Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.
      **when:** Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone
      **contains:** Operator application structure, ethics self-assessment and declaration of honour; invited applicants must use the current platform version.
    **description:** Operator application structure, ethics self-assessment and declaration of honour; invited applicants must use the current platform version.
  -     **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Public-Summary-Report-cut-offs-7-to-10.docx.pdf
    **title:** BOOST evaluation summary — cut-offs 7–10
    **format:** PDF
    **details:** 
      **why:** Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.
      **when:** Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone
      **pages:** 4
      **contains:** 2026 restricted-call results and beneficiary list; historical outcomes, not a current invitation.
    **description:** 2026 restricted-call results and beneficiary list; historical outcomes, not a current invitation.
  -     **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-supports-39-innovation-projects-across-europe/
    **title:** BOOST first six cut-offs — official result notice
    **format:** Web
    **details:** 
      **why:** Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.
      **when:** Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone
      **contains:** March 2025–January 2026 cohort: 41 submissions, 39 selections and €1.94M awarded.
    **description:** March 2025–January 2026 cohort: 41 submissions, 39 selections and €1.94M awarded.
**categories:** 
  -     **items:** 
      -         **url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/document/download/52598755-1351-4b54-b46b-e2682d0a3aec_en?filename=EIC-Work-Programme-2026.pdf
        **title:** EIC Work Programme 2026 — Booster Annex 5
        **format:** PDF
        **details:** 
          **why:** Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.
          **when:** Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone
          **pages:** 209
          **contains:** Invitation triggers, eligible complementary activities, normal project quotas and mixed-committee assessment.
        **description:** Invitation triggers, eligible complementary activities, normal project quotas and mixed-committee assessment.
      -         **url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101192038
        **title:** BOOST project description (CORDIS)
        **format:** Web
        **description:** Official description of the BOOST Coordination and Support Action (project 101192038) that administers Booster grants — coordinator FundingBox, ~€6M, 2025–2027, 100+ target grantees.
      -         **url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder_en
        **title:** EIC Pathfinder funding page
        **format:** Web
        **description:** Official EIC page covering the full Pathfinder pipeline, including the €50,000 Booster grants for testing commercialisation potential.
      -         **url:** https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/lump-sum-funding_he_en.pdf
        **title:** Lump sum funding guide
        **format:** PDF
        **description:** How lump sum grants work in Horizon Europe — applies to the €50K Booster payment.
    **category:** Existing references
  -     **items:** 
      -         **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Application-form.pdf
        **title:** BOOST application form
        **format:** PDF
        **details:** 
          **why:** Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.
          **when:** Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone
          **contains:** Operator application structure, ethics self-assessment and declaration of honour; invited applicants must use the current platform version.
        **description:** Operator application structure, ethics self-assessment and declaration of honour; invited applicants must use the current platform version.
      -         **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Public-Summary-Report-cut-offs-7-to-10.docx.pdf
        **title:** BOOST evaluation summary — cut-offs 7–10
        **format:** PDF
        **details:** 
          **why:** Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.
          **when:** Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone
          **pages:** 4
          **contains:** 2026 restricted-call results and beneficiary list; historical outcomes, not a current invitation.
        **description:** 2026 restricted-call results and beneficiary list; historical outcomes, not a current invitation.
      -         **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-supports-39-innovation-projects-across-europe/
        **title:** BOOST first six cut-offs — official result notice
        **format:** Web
        **details:** 
          **why:** Use the issuing body’s version; the submission portal controls current application documents.
          **when:** Before applying or preparing the relevant project milestone
          **contains:** March 2025–January 2026 cohort: 41 submissions, 39 selections and €1.94M awarded.
        **description:** March 2025–January 2026 cohort: 41 submissions, 39 selections and €1.94M awarded.
    **category:** Current official research

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:documents
**status:** outdated
**source url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
**last verified at:** 2026-10-07T07:24:25.24+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-11-18T09:42:58.409+00:00

## Eligibility (eligibility)

Official source: https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/

{"trl": "TRL 3–5 — the gap between completing Pathfinder research (TRL 1–4) and starting Transition validation (TRL 4–6)", "eligibility": ["You are an EIC Pathfinder grantee (current or past)", "You are an EIC Transition grantee", "You are a beneficiary of a legacy FET-Open or FET-Proactive project", "You are a Technology Transfer Office (TTO) linked to an EIC project", "Your research has generated results with potential commercial value", "An EIC invitation is required, following a Programme Manager recommendation, project review or qualifying Tech2Market participation", "Booster money funds commercialisation exploration only, not core research activities"]}
**trl:** No TRL set by the work programme: it supports results between Pathfinder research (TRL 1 to 4) and Transition validation (TRL 4 to 6)
**eligibility:** 
  - You are an EIC Pathfinder grantee (current or past)
  - You are an EIC Transition grantee
  - You are a beneficiary of a legacy FET-Open or FET-Proactive project
  - You are a Technology Transfer Office (TTO) linked to an EIC project
  - Your research has generated results with potential commercial value
  - An EIC invitation is required, following a Programme Manager recommendation, project review or qualifying Tech2Market participation
  - Booster money funds commercialisation exploration only, not core research activities

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:eligibility
**status:** outdated
**source url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
**last verified at:** 2026-10-07T07:24:25.24+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-11-18T09:42:59.656+00:00

## The fine print (eligibility_notes)

Official source: https://eic.ec.europa.eu/document/download/52598755-1351-4b54-b46b-e2682d0a3aec_en?filename=EIC-Work-Programme-2026.pdf

{"notes": [{"text": "Booster grants are awarded outside any call for proposals (under Article 47(2) of the Horizon Europe Regulation). You must first be invited, and the invitation only follows one of three triggers: a positive recommendation from your EIC (European Innovation Council) Programme Manager, the outcome of a project review, or participation in the EIC Tech2Market Business Acceleration Services — specifically the Business Validation or Venture Building programmes. Cold applications do not exist in this scheme; cultivate your Programme Manager relationship early.", "title": "Invitation-only — you cannot simply apply"}, {"text": "The applicant pool is wider than most assume: EIC Awardees themselves, their Technology Transfer Offices, EIC Inventors, and other third parties — provided they hold the necessary access rights or have been formally entrusted with the task by the awardee. Affiliated entities participating in the Pathfinder or Transition project also count. Legacy projects qualify too: grants resulting from certain EIC pilot Pathfinder, FET-Open and FET-Proactive calls (Future and Emerging Technologies, the Horizon 2020 predecessor) are explicitly in scope.", "title": "Eligible applicants reach beyond the project coordinator"}, {"text": "A maximum of three Booster grants per EIC Pathfinder project, and a maximum of one per EIC Transition project. More can be awarded only in exceptional and duly justified cases. A Booster can go to an individual awardee or a group of awardees — but the quota attaches to the parent project, so consortium partners are effectively competing for the same allocation.", "title": "Hard quota per parent project"}, {"text": "Booster grants do not fund research, activities already foreseen in the original project's description of action, or anything already funded by other EIC instruments. Eligible uses are commercialisation exploration (market analysis, IP consolidation, freedom-to-operate, business case development, testing with customers, spin-off preparation, incubator hosting) or portfolio activities across EIC projects. Double-dipping is the classic rejection ground.", "title": "What the €50,000 will not fund"}, {"text": "Each proposal is assessed by a mixed committee of three: an EIC Programme Manager, an external expert from a trained pool, and either an EIC Project Officer or a second external expert. Each gives a GO or NO GO against the award criteria; at least two GOs are needed for selection. Rejected applicants may be invited to resubmit an adjusted proposal — but only at the committee's invitation, not as of right.", "title": "Three-evaluator GO/NO-GO — with a committee-controlled resubmission path"}, {"text": "Innovation-activity Boosters are not paid by EISMEA (the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency) directly but by the BOOST consortium — a Coordination and Support Action coordinated by FundingBox Accelerator (Poland), selected under call HORIZON-EIC-2024-BOOSTER and running 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027. It serves at least 100 EIC awardees on a first-come, first-served basis, so the practical constraint is budget exhaustion, not a deadline.", "title": "The money flows through a third-party CSA, first-come first-served"}, {"title": "Use the normal quota, not a universal €150K entitlement", "text": "The work programme normally permits three Boosters per Pathfinder project and one per Transition project. Exceptional additional awards require justification; eligibility does not guarantee selection or payment."}]}
**notes:** 
  -     **text:** Booster grants are awarded outside any call for proposals (under Article 47(2) of the Horizon Europe Regulation). You must first be invited, and the invitation only follows one of three triggers: a positive recommendation from your EIC (European Innovation Council) Programme Manager, the outcome of a project review, or participation in the EIC Tech2Market Business Acceleration Services — specifically the Business Validation or Venture Building programmes. Cold applications do not exist in this scheme; cultivate your Programme Manager relationship early.
    **title:** Invitation-only — you cannot simply apply
  -     **text:** The applicant pool is wider than most assume: EIC Awardees themselves, their Technology Transfer Offices, EIC Inventors, and other third parties — provided they hold the necessary access rights or have been formally entrusted with the task by the awardee. Affiliated entities participating in the Pathfinder or Transition project also count. Legacy projects qualify too: grants resulting from certain EIC pilot Pathfinder, FET-Open and FET-Proactive calls (Future and Emerging Technologies, the Horizon 2020 predecessor) are explicitly in scope.
    **title:** Eligible applicants reach beyond the project coordinator
  -     **text:** A maximum of three Booster grants per EIC Pathfinder project, and a maximum of one per EIC Transition project. More can be awarded only in exceptional and duly justified cases. A Booster can go to an individual awardee or a group of awardees — but the quota attaches to the parent project, so consortium partners are effectively competing for the same allocation.
    **title:** Hard quota per parent project
  -     **text:** Booster grants do not fund research, activities already foreseen in the original project's description of action, or anything already funded by other EIC instruments. Eligible uses are commercialisation exploration (market analysis, IP consolidation, freedom-to-operate, business case development, testing with customers, spin-off preparation, incubator hosting) or portfolio activities across EIC projects. Double-dipping is the classic rejection ground.
    **title:** What the €50,000 will not fund
  -     **text:** Each proposal is assessed by a mixed committee of three: an EIC Programme Manager, an external expert from a trained pool, and either an EIC Project Officer or a second external expert. Each gives a GO or NO GO against the award criteria; at least two GOs are needed for selection. Rejected applicants may be invited to resubmit an adjusted proposal — but only at the committee's invitation, not as of right.
    **title:** Three-evaluator GO/NO-GO — with a committee-controlled resubmission path
  -     **text:** Innovation-activity Boosters are not paid by EISMEA (the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency) directly but by the BOOST consortium — a Coordination and Support Action coordinated by FundingBox Accelerator (Poland), selected under call HORIZON-EIC-2024-BOOSTER and running 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027. It serves at least 100 EIC awardees on a first-come, first-served basis, so the practical constraint is budget exhaustion, not a deadline.
    **title:** The money flows through a third-party CSA, first-come first-served
  -     **text:** The work programme normally permits three Boosters per Pathfinder project and one per Transition project. Exceptional additional awards require justification; eligibility does not guarantee selection or payment.
    **title:** Use the normal quota, not a universal €150K entitlement

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:eligibility_notes
**status:** outdated
**source url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/document/download/52598755-1351-4b54-b46b-e2682d0a3aec_en?filename=EIC-Work-Programme-2026.pdf
**last verified at:** 2026-09-27T07:27:03.695+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-11-18T09:42:56.059+00:00

## FAQs (faqs)

Official source: https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/

{"faqs": [{"answer": "An EIC invitation is required. It can follow a Programme Manager recommendation, project review or relevant Tech2Market activity. Invited applicants use the BOOST platform and its restricted cut-off schedule; this is not a public first-grant route.", "question": "Can I apply for the Pathfinder Booster directly?"}, {"answer": "A lump sum of up to €50,000 per grant. Because it is a lump sum, there is no expense tracking, no timesheets and no budget breakdown — payment follows the BOOST grant agreement and submit a final report (roughly 10 pages) on what you achieved, not what you spent. An EIC Pathfinder project can receive up to three Booster grants (€150K total) where duly justified; EIC Transition projects are capped at one grant (€50K total).", "question": "How much money is it, and how is it paid?"}, {"answer": "Commercialisation exploration only: market analysis and sizing, IP strategy and freedom-to-operate assessments, business case development, customer discovery and validation, stakeholder engagement, and technology transfer planning. It cannot fund core research, equipment or infrastructure, permanent hires, or activities already covered by your Pathfinder grant.", "question": "What can I spend the €50K on?"}, {"answer": "BOOST published 31 submissions, 28 eligible proposals and 25 selections across cut-offs 7–10 in February–May 2026. These figures describe invited applicants only. At least two GO decisions from the mixed committee are required; use the invitation’s conditions.", "question": "How competitive is the evaluation once I'm invited?"}, {"answer": "It is a bridge, not a destination. The Booster sits between Pathfinder research (TRL 1–4) and Transition validation (TRL 4–6), at roughly TRL 3–5. After your Booster activities you should know whether to apply for EIC Transition (up to €2.5M to validate the technology), aim for the EIC Accelerator's blended finance if you are further along (TRL 5+), pursue licensing through your technology transfer office, spin off a company, or park commercialisation if the market is not ready.", "question": "How does the Booster relate to EIC Transition and the Accelerator?"}, {"answer": "No fixed deadlines — the scheme runs on a rolling, invitation-only basis from 2025 through 2027, until the roughly €6M BOOST pot (targeting at least 100 grantees) is exhausted. The practical implication: respond promptly when invited rather than waiting for a cut-off that does not exist.", "question": "Is there a deadline?"}, {"answer": "Past as well as current EIC Pathfinder grantees are in scope, as are EIC Transition grantees, legacy FET-Open and FET-Proactive beneficiaries, and technology transfer offices linked to an EIC project. Eligibility still flows through the Programme Manager recommendation, so the practical route for a completed project is to contact your Programme Manager about exploitable results.", "question": "My Pathfinder project has already ended — am I still eligible?"}]}
**faqs:** 
  -     **answer:** An EIC invitation is required. It can follow a Programme Manager recommendation, project review or relevant Tech2Market activity. Invited applicants use the BOOST platform and its restricted cut-off schedule; this is not a public first-grant route.
    **question:** Can I apply for the Pathfinder Booster directly?
  -     **answer:** A lump sum of up to €50,000 per grant. Because it is a lump sum, there is no expense tracking, no timesheets and no budget breakdown — payment follows the BOOST grant agreement and submit a final report (roughly 10 pages) on what you achieved, not what you spent. An EIC Pathfinder project can receive up to three Booster grants (€150K total) where duly justified; EIC Transition projects are capped at one grant (€50K total).
    **question:** How much money is it, and how is it paid?
  -     **answer:** Commercialisation exploration only: market analysis and sizing, IP strategy and freedom-to-operate assessments, business case development, customer discovery and validation, stakeholder engagement, and technology transfer planning. It cannot fund core research, equipment or infrastructure, permanent hires, or activities already covered by your Pathfinder grant.
    **question:** What can I spend the €50K on?
  -     **answer:** BOOST published 31 submissions, 28 eligible proposals and 25 selections across cut-offs 7–10 in February–May 2026. These figures describe invited applicants only. At least two GO decisions from the mixed committee are required; use the invitation’s conditions.
    **question:** How competitive is the evaluation once I'm invited?
  -     **answer:** It is a bridge, not a destination. The Booster sits between Pathfinder research (TRL 1–4) and Transition validation (TRL 4–6); the work programme sets no TRL of its own. After your Booster activities you should know whether to apply for EIC Transition (up to €2.5M to validate the technology), aim for the EIC Accelerator's blended finance if you are further along (TRL 5+), pursue licensing through your technology transfer office, spin off a company, or park commercialisation if the market is not ready.
    **question:** How does the Booster relate to EIC Transition and the Accelerator?
  -     **answer:** No fixed deadlines — the scheme runs on a rolling, invitation-only basis from 2025 through 2027, until the roughly €6M BOOST pot (targeting at least 100 grantees) is exhausted. The practical implication: respond promptly when invited rather than waiting for a cut-off that does not exist.
    **question:** Is there a deadline?
  -     **answer:** Past as well as current EIC Pathfinder grantees are in scope, as are EIC Transition grantees, legacy FET-Open and FET-Proactive beneficiaries, and technology transfer offices linked to an EIC project. Eligibility still flows through the Programme Manager recommendation, so the practical route for a completed project is to contact your Programme Manager about exploitable results.
    **question:** My Pathfinder project has already ended — am I still eligible?

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:faqs
**status:** outdated
**source url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
**last verified at:** 2026-10-07T07:24:25.24+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-11-18T09:42:58.923+00:00

## for who (for_who)

Official source: https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder_en

**text:** Current or past EIC Pathfinder and EIC Transition grantees — plus beneficiaries of legacy FET-Open and FET-Proactive projects and their technology transfer offices — whose research has produced results with plausible commercial value. Not for you if you have no existing EIC or FET grant (there is no open call), if you want to fund core research (the Booster pays only for commercialisation exploration), or if you need more than €50K — in which case EIC Transition, at up to €2.5M, is the right instrument.

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:for_who
**status:** ok
**source url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-frequently-asked-questions/faqs-eic-pathfinder_en
**last verified at:** 2026-10-07T07:24:25.24+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-10-26T09:43:22.917+00:00

## Is this for you? (checklist) (for_who_checks)

Official source: https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/

{"checks": {"no": ["No existing EIC/FET grant → EIC Pathfinder (this is invitation-only, no open call)", "Need real validation money, not €50K → EIC Transition (up to €2.5M)", "Startup past the lab, seeking grant + equity → EIC Accelerator", "Want to fund more research → Pathfinder Open (grants up to €4M)"], "yes": ["EIC Pathfinder grantee (current or recent)", "EIC Transition grantee — max 1 Booster", "Legacy Horizon 2020 project: EIC pilot Pathfinder, FET-Open, FET-Proactive", "Technology Transfer Office or inventor linked to an EIC project", "Research results worth a commercial test (roughly TRL 3–5)"], "note": "Invitation is required following a Programme Manager recommendation, project review or qualifying Tech2Market activity. BOOST uses restricted cut-offs; the invitation gives the submission route."}}
**checks:** 
  **no:** 
    - No existing EIC/FET grant → EIC Pathfinder (this is invitation-only, no open call)
    - Need real validation money, not €50K → EIC Transition (up to €2.5M)
    - Startup past the lab, seeking grant + equity → EIC Accelerator
    - Want to fund more research → Pathfinder Open (grants up to €4M)
  **yes:** 
    - EIC Pathfinder grantee (current or recent)
    - EIC Transition grantee — max 1 Booster
    - Legacy Horizon 2020 project: EIC pilot Pathfinder, FET-Open, FET-Proactive
    - Technology Transfer Office or inventor linked to an EIC project
    - Research results worth a commercial test
  **note:** Invitation is required following a Programme Manager recommendation, project review or qualifying Tech2Market activity. BOOST uses restricted cut-offs; the invitation gives the submission route.

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:for_who_checks
**status:** outdated
**source url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
**last verified at:** 2026-10-11T07:26:08.213+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-11-18T09:42:54.65+00:00

## Who wins — funded examples (funded_examples)

Official source: https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/

**examples:** 
  -     **url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101192038
    **blurb:** The intermediary that runs the Pathfinder Booster scheme on the EIC's behalf, channelling roughly 83% of its budget straight to innovators as up to €50,000 grants to at least 100 EIC awardees on a first-come, first-served basis.
    **title:** Bringing financial support to innOvation and pOrtfolio activitieS increasing impacT of eic-supported research
    **acronym:** BOOST
    **country:** Poland
    **funding:** €5,999,932.50
    **challenge:** HORIZON-EIC-2024-BOOSTER (the body that actually distributes the Booster grants)
  -     **url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101070856
    **blurb:** Coordinated by France's CNRS, this Pathfinder project oxidises biomass-derived molecules to produce green hydrogen at a lower energy cost than splitting water; the type of awardee a Booster grant pushes toward commercialisation.
    **title:** ELectrOlysis of BIOmass
    **acronym:** ELOBIO
    **country:** France
    **funding:** €4,395,570.38
    **challenge:** EIC Pathfinder Challenge (HORIZON-EIC-2021-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01-04, novel routes to green hydrogen)
  -     **url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101223193
    **blurb:** Run by the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, it builds a solar-powered device that turns waste nitrates and carbon dioxide into useful chemicals such as urea, the kind of deep-tech result a Booster grant helps move to market.
    **title:** Fully-Integrated PV-EC Device for the Production of C-N Chemicals
    **acronym:** SUN2CN
    **country:** Luxembourg
    **funding:** €3,997,401.47
    **challenge:** EIC Pathfinder Challenge (HORIZON-EIC-2024-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01)
  -     **url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101184379
    **blurb:** Led by the University of Trento, this Pathfinder Open project builds a platform letting musicians in different places perform together in real time without perceptible lag, an awardee eligible for Booster top-up funding.
    **title:** Musical Metaverse made in Europe: an innovation lab for musicians and audiences of the future
    **acronym:** MUSMET
    **country:** Italy
    **funding:** €3,000,000.00
    **challenge:** EIC Pathfinder Open (HORIZON-EIC-2024-PATHFINDEROPEN-01-01)
  -     **url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101098961
    **blurb:** Coordinated by Spain's CSIC research council, it develops programmable photonic chips that fold tiny mechanical switches into silicon photonics for data centres and brain-inspired computing, a research result a Booster grant helps commercialise.
    **title:** Nano electro-optomechanical programmable integrated circuits
    **acronym:** NEUROPIC
    **country:** Spain
    **funding:** €2,999,921.50
    **challenge:** EIC Pathfinder Open (HORIZON-EIC-2022-PATHFINDEROPEN-01-01)

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:funded_examples
**status:** outdated
**source url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
**last verified at:** 2026-09-11T07:27:04.227+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-10-12T13:42:06.859+00:00

## The numbers (honest_numbers)

Official source: https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/

**table:** 
  **note:** Published results exist: BOOST reported 25 selections from 31 submissions in cut-offs 7–10, with 28 eligible proposals and €1,249,601.75 awarded. This is an invited cohort; it does not measure the chance for a startup without an invitation.
  **rows:** 
    -       **where:** CORDIS fact sheet, project 101192038
      **figure:** €5,999,932.50
      **metric:** Total BOOST budget (2025–2027)
    -       **where:** CORDIS fact sheet
      **figure:** ≥83% (≈€5M)
      **metric:** Share cascaded to grantees
    -       **where:** CORDIS project objective
      **figure:** 100+
      **metric:** Target grantees by end-2027
    -       **where:** EIC Booster Grant Scheme rules
      **figure:** €50,000
      **metric:** Maximum per grant
    -       **where:** EIC Booster Grant Scheme rules
      **figure:** 3 grants / €150,000
      **metric:** Cap per Pathfinder project
    -       **where:** EIC Booster Grant Scheme rules
      **figure:** 1 grant
      **metric:** Cap per Transition project
    -       **where:** EIC Booster Grant Scheme rules
      **figure:** 2 of 3 GO
      **metric:** Votes needed to win
  **title:** Booster by the numbers — what's actually published
  **columns:** 
    -       **key:** metric
      **label:** Metric
    -       **key:** figure
      **label:** Figure
    -       **key:** where
      **label:** Where it's stated

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:honest_numbers
**status:** outdated
**source url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
**last verified at:** 2026-10-12T07:24:07.51+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-11-18T09:42:57.307+00:00

## honest take (honest_take)

Official source: https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/

This is complementary funding for an already eligible EIC project or invited related beneficiary. The key gate is the EIC invitation. Use the money for the additional innovation or portfolio activities accepted in that invitation, and do not duplicate work financed by the parent grant. Published BOOST cohorts demonstrate that invited proposals can still fail eligibility or evaluation. The amount is up to €50,000 per grant; payment follows the grant agreement.
**text:** This is complementary funding for an already eligible EIC project or invited related beneficiary. The key gate is the EIC invitation. Use the money for the additional innovation or portfolio activities accepted in that invitation, and do not duplicate work financed by the parent grant. Published BOOST cohorts demonstrate that invited proposals can still fail eligibility or evaluation. The amount is up to €50,000 per grant; payment follows the grant agreement.

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:honest_take
**status:** outdated
**source url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
**last verified at:** 2026-10-07T07:24:25.24+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-11-18T09:42:59.129+00:00

## Official sources (links)

Official source: https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/

{"links":[{"url":"https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder_en","label":"EIC Pathfinder — official page (Booster grants section)"},{"url":"https://cordis.europa.eu/programme/id/HORIZON_HORIZON-EIC-2024-BOOSTER","label":"EIC Booster Grant Scheme — rules on CORDIS"},{"url":"https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101192038","label":"BOOST project fact sheet on CORDIS"},{"url":"https://boost-tech.eu/","label":"BOOST project site (FundingBox consortium)"},{"url":"https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-2026-work-programme_en","label":"EIC Work Programme 2026 (official page — always current version)"},{"url":"https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-communities/eic-programme-managers_en","label":"EIC Programme Managers — who recommends you"},{"url":"https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-transition_en","label":"EIC Transition — the natural next step"},{"label":"EIC Work Programme 2026 — Booster Annex 5","url":"https://eic.ec.europa.eu/document/download/52598755-1351-4b54-b46b-e2682d0a3aec_en?filename=EIC-Work-Programme-2026.pdf","group":"Reference"},{"label":"Lump sum funding guide","url":"https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/lump-sum-funding_he_en.pdf","group":"Reference"},{"label":"BOOST application form","url":"https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Application-form.pdf","group":"Reference"},{"label":"BOOST evaluation summary — cut-offs 7–10","url":"https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Public-Summary-Report-cut-offs-7-to-10.docx.pdf","group":"Reference"},{"label":"BOOST first six cut-offs — official result notice","url":"https://boost-tech.eu/boost-supports-39-innovation-projects-across-europe/","group":"Reference"}]}
**links:** 
  -     **url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder_en
    **label:** EIC Pathfinder — official page (Booster grants section)
  -     **url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/programme/id/HORIZON_HORIZON-EIC-2024-BOOSTER
    **label:** EIC Booster Grant Scheme — rules on CORDIS
  -     **url:** https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101192038
    **label:** BOOST project fact sheet on CORDIS
  -     **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/
    **label:** BOOST project site (FundingBox consortium)
  -     **url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-2026-work-programme_en
    **label:** EIC Work Programme 2026 (official page — always current version)
  -     **url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-communities/eic-programme-managers_en
    **label:** EIC Programme Managers — who recommends you
  -     **url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-transition_en
    **label:** EIC Transition — the natural next step
  -     **url:** https://eic.ec.europa.eu/document/download/52598755-1351-4b54-b46b-e2682d0a3aec_en?filename=EIC-Work-Programme-2026.pdf
    **group:** Reference
    **label:** EIC Work Programme 2026 — Booster Annex 5
  -     **url:** https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/lump-sum-funding_he_en.pdf
    **group:** Reference
    **label:** Lump sum funding guide
  -     **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Application-form.pdf
    **group:** Reference
    **label:** BOOST application form
  -     **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/BOOST_Public-Summary-Report-cut-offs-7-to-10.docx.pdf
    **group:** Reference
    **label:** BOOST evaluation summary — cut-offs 7–10
  -     **url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-supports-39-innovation-projects-across-europe/
    **group:** Reference
    **label:** BOOST first six cut-offs — official result notice

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:links
**status:** outdated
**source url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
**last verified at:** 2026-09-25T07:26:05.467+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-11-18T09:42:59.96+00:00

## The money (money)

Official source: https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/

**money:** 
  **notes:** 
    -       **text:** The award is a lump sum of up to €50,000. Follow the BOOST agreement for payment conditions, evidence of completed activities and reporting; an invitation or selection is not proof that money has been disbursed.
      **title:** Lump sum means no expense tracking.
    -       **text:** BOOST uses restricted cut-offs for EIC-invited applicants. A mixed committee assesses proposals; funding, payment milestones and reporting follow the invitation and grant agreement.
      **title:** Restricted cut-offs and selection
    -       **text:** The money covers market analysis, intellectual-property strategy and freedom-to-operate checks, business-case work, customer discovery and technology-transfer planning. It does not pay for core research, equipment, or anything your Pathfinder grant already covers.
      **title:** Commercialisation exploration only.
    -       **text:** The European Commission funds the BOOST project — a Coordination and Support Action led by FundingBox (Poland) with FundingBox Communities, Splorotech, Barcelona Mobile World Capital Foundation and 3URA — which administers invitations, evaluation and payouts on the Commission's behalf.
      **title:** Your contract is with a consortium, not Brussels.
  **title:** The money — a €50K invitation-only lump sum
  **blocks:** 
    -       **sub:** Fixed lump sum — no budget lines, no timesheets
      **label:** Per grant
      **value:** €50,000
    -       **sub:** €150,000 cumulative cap; Transition projects get max 1
      **label:** Per Pathfinder project
      **value:** 3 × €50K
    -       **sub:** BOOST budget €5,999,932.50 — at least 83% cascades to grantees
      **label:** Total pot
      **value:** €6M
    -       **sub:** Grantees between 2025 and 2027, first-come first-served
      **label:** Target
      **value:** 100+

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:money
**status:** outdated
**source url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
**last verified at:** 2026-10-11T07:26:08.213+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-11-18T09:42:56.21+00:00

## Deadlines & calls (open_calls)

Official source: https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/

**Open now**
- BOOST runs a restricted call for applicants invited by the EIC. It is not open to other startups.

**Good to know**
- Applications are grouped into cut-offs; check your invitation and the current platform for the next date.
- Source: https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
**typical Timeline:** Invitation-only; BOOST batches applications at restricted cut-offs. The invitation governs the applicable date.

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:open_calls
**status:** outdated
**source url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
**last verified at:** 2026-10-07T07:24:25.24+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-10-26T02:02:23.096+00:00

## Overview (overview)

Official source: https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/

EIC Booster grants provide up to €50,000 for complementary commercialisation or portfolio work linked to eligible Pathfinder or Transition results. They are not a first research grant for an unrelated startup. A normal Pathfinder project may receive up to three Boosters; a Transition project normally receives one, with exceptions only when justified. Invitation can follow an EIC Programme Manager recommendation, project review or qualifying Tech2Market activity. BOOST implements a restricted call with scheduled cut-offs for invited applicants. Its June 2026 report records 25 selected proposals from 31 submissions across cut-offs 7–10; this is a selected, invited cohort rather than a general startup success rate.
**badge:** Grant
**key Features:** 
  - Restricted to eligible EIC projects and invited related beneficiaries
  - Up to €50,000 per grant for complementary innovation or portfolio work
  - Normally up to 3 grants per Pathfinder project and 1 per Transition project; exceptions require justification
  - Invitation can follow a Programme Manager recommendation, project review or qualifying Tech2Market participation
  - Mixed committee; at least two GO decisions required
  - Follow the invitation and BOOST platform for restricted cut-off dates

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:overview
**status:** outdated
**source url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
**last verified at:** 2026-10-07T07:24:25.24+00:00
**next check due:** 2026-11-18T09:42:57.132+00:00

## Practical notes (practical)

Official source: https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/

{"notes": [{"text": "The Pathfinder Booster is not a competitive open call you can enter on your own. Only EIC awardees who receive an EIC-endorsed invitation to submit are eligible, and that invitation follows a positive recommendation from your EIC Programme Manager or an EIC project review. Practically: the lever you control is your relationship with your Programme Manager, not a proposal deadline.", "title": "It is invitation-only — you cannot apply cold."}, {"text": "Day-to-day the scheme is operated as cascade (third-party) funding by the BOOST project (Bringing financial support to innovation and portfolio activities), which supports EISMEA in implementing EIC Booster Grants. Once invited, you submit via the official form provided under the invitation through BOOST's own IT system at one of the periodic cut-offs, not the standard Funding & Tenders Portal call page.", "title": "The call is run by the BOOST CSA project, not EISMEA directly."}, {"text": "For Pathfinder Challenges, the Programme Manager builds a common roadmap across portfolio projects (shared data, joint market analysis, investor contacts) and brokers commercialisation routes including Booster grants. Boosters explicitly fund both commercialisation-pathway exploration AND portfolio activities — so framing your need in those terms during portfolio meetings and project reviews is what triggers the invitation.", "title": "Engineer the Programme Manager recommendation around portfolio activities."}, {"text": "Each Booster grant is a fixed amount not exceeding €50,000, awarded as a lump sum. Evaluation is by a 3-person committee (an EIC Programme Manager plus external experts); a proposal needs at least two GO votes to be selected, then passes admissibility and legal validation. It is deliberately fast and complementary funding — not a second research grant.", "title": "Scope: lump sum of up to €50,000, light evaluation."}, {"title": "Use the actual restricted-call record", "text": "The operator publishes evaluation summaries with cut-off dates, eligible proposals and funded beneficiaries. They are useful for understanding what has been supported, but they do not open the call to the public."}]}
**notes:** 
  -     **text:** The Pathfinder Booster is not a competitive open call you can enter on your own. Only EIC awardees who receive an EIC-endorsed invitation to submit are eligible, and that invitation follows a positive recommendation from your EIC Programme Manager or an EIC project review. Practically: the lever you control is your relationship with your Programme Manager, not a proposal deadline.
    **title:** It is invitation-only — you cannot apply cold.
  -     **text:** Day-to-day the scheme is operated as cascade (third-party) funding by the BOOST project (Bringing financial support to innovation and portfolio activities), which supports EISMEA in implementing EIC Booster Grants. Once invited, you submit via the official form provided under the invitation through BOOST's own IT system at one of the periodic cut-offs, not the standard Funding & Tenders Portal call page.
    **title:** The call is run by the BOOST CSA project, not EISMEA directly.
  -     **text:** For Pathfinder Challenges, the Programme Manager builds a common roadmap across portfolio projects (shared data, joint market analysis, investor contacts) and brokers commercialisation routes including Booster grants. Boosters explicitly fund both commercialisation-pathway exploration AND portfolio activities — so framing your need in those terms during portfolio meetings and project reviews is what triggers the invitation.
    **title:** Engineer the Programme Manager recommendation around portfolio activities.
  -     **text:** Each Booster grant is a fixed amount not exceeding €50,000, awarded as a lump sum. Evaluation is by a 3-person committee (an EIC Programme Manager plus external experts); a proposal needs at least two GO votes to be selected, then passes admissibility and legal validation. It is deliberately fast and complementary funding — not a second research grant.
    **title:** Scope: lump sum of up to €50,000, light evaluation.
  -     **text:** The operator publishes evaluation summaries with cut-off dates, eligible proposals and funded beneficiaries. They are useful for understanding what has been supported, but they do not open the call to the public.
    **title:** Use the actual restricted-call record

Section review: **content id:** pathfinder-booster:practical
**status:** outdated
**source url:** https://boost-tech.eu/boost-eic-booster-grants-cutoffs-7-10-results/
**next check due:** 2026-10-12T13:42:06.859+00:00

## Document access

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