The European Innovation Council (EIC) has reported strong global interest in its Pathfinder Open 2026 funding call, which supports early-stage, high-risk research aimed at developing breakthrough deep-tech innovations. The programme is part of the EU’s Horizon Europe framework and focuses on funding visionary projects with the potential to create entirely new technologies and markets.
This year’s call attracted 2,103 project proposals from 76 countries, highlighting the continued growth in demand for EU research funding in advanced technology areas. Applicants collectively requested more than €8.2 billion in funding, significantly exceeding the available programme budget and reinforcing the highly competitive nature of the scheme.
In total, the proposals involved over 12,000 participant contributions from more than 4,600 unique organisations, including universities, research institutes, and private sector innovators. This wide participation demonstrates the global reach of the programme and its role as a key entry point for deep-tech research collaboration.
The EIC Pathfinder Open programme supports early-stage research at Technology Readiness Levels 1–3, focusing on ambitious and interdisciplinary projects that aim to prove scientific feasibility for disruptive technologies. Successful projects typically receive grants of up to €3–4 million along with additional support such as coaching and access to innovation networks.
The evaluation process for the 2026 call is now underway, with results expected in October 2026. The strong participation levels once again underline the programme’s importance in Europe’s innovation ecosystem and its role in advancing high-impact scientific research toward real-world applications.
