European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2025 opportunities for Cluster 6 applicants

EIC Pathfinder Open

Funding for early-stage technology research and development. The Call is open to proposals in any field of technological breakthroughs.

• Up to €3 million per project.
• Applications by consortiums of a minimum of 3 partners from a minimum of 3 countries (at least one from an EU member state).
• Apply from 20 February 2025 to 21 May 2025.

EIC Pathfinder Challenges

Funding for early-stage technology research and development.

Topic 1 - Biotech for climate resilient crops and plant-based biomanufacturing

• To create novel, energy- and resource-efficient food production processes; and develop breakthrough technologies that achieve TRL4 (laboratory validation) with viable plants.
• Up to €4 million per project.
• Applications by consortiums of a minimum of 2 partners or by single applicants.
• Apply from 28 July 2025 to 29 October 2025.

EIC Transition

Funding to turn research results into innovation opportunities. Validation and commercialization of technologies developed by previous research and innovation (RIA) projects from Horizon 2020 Societal Challenges and Leadership in Industrial Technologies or Horizon Europe Pillar II. The Call is open to proposals in any field of science, technology or application, with an eligible TRL.

• Budget per project: €0.5 to €2.5.
• Applications by consortiums of a minimum of 2 partners or by single applicants (SMEs, spin-offs, start-ups, research organisations, universities).
• 2-step application: proposal, interview.
• Apply from 22 April 2025 to 17 September 2025.

EIC Accelerator Open

Funding for SMEs and start-ups for commercialisation and scale-up. The Call is open to proposals in any field of technological breakthroughs.

• Applications by single applicants (companies).
• Funding: 1) Grant only; 2) Blended finance (grant +investment); 3) Investment only.
• Grants per company up to €2.5 million (funding rate: 70%). Equity investments per company up to €10 million.
• 3-step application: short proposal, full proposal, interview.
• Short application can be submitted anytime. Full application cut-offs: 12 March 2025 or 01 October 2025.

EIC Accelerator Challenges

Funding for SMEs and start-ups for commercialisation and scale-up.

Topic 2: Biotechnology driven low emission food and feed production systems

• To develop sustainable biotechnology for materials, enhance crop and livestock farming, reduce ruminant methane, and use precision fermentation, while integrating AI and ensuring lifecycle assessments and regulatory compliance.
• Applications by single applicants (companies).
• Funding: 1) Grant only; 2) Blended finance (grant + investment); 3) Investment only.
• Grants per company up to €2.5 million (funding rate: 70%). Equity investments per company up to €10 million.
• 3-step application: short proposal, full proposal, interview.
• Short application can be submitted anytime. Full application cut-offs: 12 March 2025 or 01 October 2025.