The European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder continues its pivotal role in advancing Europe’s cutting-edge research and technological innovations. The 2024 EIC Pathfinder funding cycle, which had a total of €138 million in requested budget, has now revealed its highly selective outcomes, with 45 projects chosen from 1,110 submissions. The selected projects will each receive approximately €3.07 million to drive revolutionary research aimed at transforming industries and solving pressing societal challenges.
With results published on September 5, 2024, after a submission deadline of March 7, 2024, this round of the EIC Pathfinder funding emphasizes innovation across various sectors and regions of Europe, reflecting a diverse geographical distribution of successful applicants (results).
Key Data from the EIC Pathfinder 2024
- Total requested budget: €138 million
- Average funding per project: €3.07 million
- Number of submissions: 1,110
- Projects selected for funding: 45
- Success rate: ~4.1%
Geographic Breakdown of Funded Projects
The distribution of the 45 selected projects spans across 17 countries, with Italy leading the charge by securing 10 projects (22.2%), followed by Austria and Spain, each with 5 projects (11.1%).
| Country | Projects Funded | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | 10 | 22.2% |
| Austria | 5 | 11.1% |
| Spain | 5 | 11.1% |
| Norway | 3 | 6.7% |
| Germany | 3 | 6.7% |
| France | 3 | 6.7% |
| Sweden | 3 | 6.7% |
| Greece | 2 | 4.4% |
| Finland | 2 | 4.4% |
| Netherlands | 2 | 4.4% |
| Slovenia | 1 | 2.2% |
| Serbia | 1 | 2.2% |
| Ireland | 1 | 2.2% |
| Israel | 1 | 2.2% |
| Czech Republic | 1 | 2.2% |
| Denmark | 1 | 2.2% |
| United Kingdom | 1 | 2.2% |
This broad representation highlights the collaborative and pan-European nature of the EIC Pathfinder program, which continues to fund projects not just within the EU, but also in associated countries such as Israel, the United Kingdom, and Norway.
Sectoral Focus of the Funded Projects
The EIC Pathfinder is known for supporting transformative research in a variety of domains, prioritizing high-risk, high-reward projects that could lead to significant breakthroughs. The 2024 funding round continues to reflect the EIC’s focus on sectors with the potential for long-term societal and economic impact. Although specific details on each funded project are yet to be fully disclosed, several key areas are traditionally emphasized in the EIC Pathfinder funding:
- Quantum Technologies: A priority area for Europe as it seeks to establish global leadership in quantum computing, communication, and sensing technologies. Italy and Germany, in particular, are home to several promising quantum research projects.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): Projects leveraging AI for applications in healthcare, robotics, and industry have garnered significant attention. France and Spain are key contributors in AI-driven research.
- Sustainable Energy and Climate Technologies: The EU’s Green Deal and ambitious climate goals mean that energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy solutions, and environmental sustainability remain crucial areas for innovation. Austria and Sweden are particularly active in these areas.
- Biotechnology and Health Innovations: Biotechnology and personalized medicine continue to be hotbeds of research, with Finland, Greece, and the Netherlands focusing on biomedical advances and health technologies.
- Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology: The development of new materials with applications in various industries, from electronics to healthcare, is a key focus, with multiple projects exploring nanotechnology and materials science innovations.
Italy Leads the Pack
Italy’s dominance in the 2024 EIC Pathfinder results, with 10 projects funded (22.2% of the total), is a testament to the country’s growing research capabilities and innovation ecosystem. Italian research teams have successfully positioned themselves at the forefront of European scientific advancements, particularly in sectors such as quantum technologies, renewable energy, and health technologies.
Austria and Spain: Significant Contributions
Austria and Spain, each with 5 funded projects, demonstrate their strength in areas such as AI, sustainable energy solutions, and advanced materials. Austria has a long-standing tradition of technological innovation, particularly in green technologies, while Spain has become a leader in AI research and digital transformation initiatives.
Notable Representation from Smaller Countries
Although the larger nations such as Italy, Germany, and France frequently dominate the headlines, smaller countries such as Norway, Greece, Finland, and Slovenia continue to punch above their weight in innovation. With projects from diverse areas like sustainable energy (Norway), advanced materials (Greece), and biotech (Finland), these countries are playing a pivotal role in Europe’s broader innovation landscape.
The Role of EIC Pathfinder in Europe’s Innovation Strategy
The EIC Pathfinder is a critical component of the European Union’s Horizon Europe program, fostering disruptive research that has the potential to address global challenges, from climate change to healthcare disparities. By funding early-stage projects that are often too risky for private investment, the EIC Pathfinder ensures that Europe remains at the cutting edge of technological and scientific advancements.
Each selected project will benefit from robust support, including €3.07 million in funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities, all aimed at accelerating their journey from concept to commercialization. The Pathfinder program is not just about advancing science; it’s about translating that science into marketable solutions that will drive Europe’s economic growth and global competitiveness.
What’s Next?
The 45 projects selected in 2024 will now embark on the challenging task of realizing their ambitious research goals. Over the next few years, these projects will work towards key milestones, with continuous monitoring and support from the EIC to ensure their progress. The next submission deadline for EIC Pathfinder is expected in early 2025, where more disruptive projects will be considered for funding, continuing the momentum built by the 2024 cohort.
Conclusion
The 2024 EIC Pathfinder funding round highlights Europe’s commitment to supporting transformative research that has the potential to change the world. With 45 projects selected from 1,110 submissions, representing 17 countries, and an average funding of €3.07 million per project, the latest results underscore the breadth and depth of innovation occurring across Europe. Italy, Austria, and Spain are leading the charge, but smaller countries like Greece, Finland, and Slovenia are also making significant contributions.
As these projects move forward, they have the potential to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time, from climate change to healthcare. The EIC Pathfinder is ensuring that Europe remains a global leader in innovation, nurturing the ideas and technologies that will shape our future.
All Funded Projects
| Acronym | Title | Legal Name | Country Coordinator | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIELO | Cavity-Integrated Electro-Optics: Measuring, Converting and Manipulating Microwaves with Light | INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AUSTRIA | Austria | 2024 |
| ESOHISTO | Hybrid endoscope for esophageal in vivo histology and histochemistry | MEDIZINISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIEN | Austria | 2024 |
| QOSiLICIOUS | Quantum-Optic Silicon as a Commodity: Extending the Trust Continuum till the Edge of ICT Networks | AIT AUSTRIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GMBH | Austria | 2024 |
| QuSPARC | Quantum technology with a spin-photon architecture for thousand-qubit chipsets at telecom wavelengths | OESTERREICHISCHE AKADEMIE DER WISSENSCHAFTEN | Austria | 2024 |
| TriFluorium | Tribo-Reactor for fluorine circularity by urban mining | AC2T RESEARCH GMBH | Austria | 2024 |
| BiCeps | Bioinspired cellular actuators | VYSOKE UCENI TECHNICKE V BRNE | Czech Republic | 2024 |
| BioSinFin | Bioinspired Singlet Fission Photon Multipliers | TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN | Germany | 2024 |
| BoneOscopy | Live Cell Spectroscopy Analysis for Personalised Particle Radiation Therapy of Metastatic Bone Cancer | DEUTSCHES KREBSFORSCHUNGSZENTRUM HEIDELBERG | Germany | 2024 |
| LongDip | Multivariate optoacoustic sensor for longitudinal diabetes monitoring | HELMHOLTZ ZENTRUM MUENCHEN DEUTSCHES FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM FUER GESUNDHEIT UND UMWELT GMBH | Germany | 2024 |
| Heat2Battery | All in One: Harvesting of waste heat with solid thermal battery | DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET | Denmark | 2024 |
| SafeTouch | SELF-DISINFECTING, SMART MICROFILMS FOR HEALTHCARE & COMMUNITY ACQUIRED INFECTIONS | ETHNICON METSOVION POLYTECHNION | Greece | 2024 |
| TorPropel | Toroidal Propellers for Efficient and Sustainable Aviation | PANEPISTIMIO IOANNINON | Greece | 2024 |
| EcoSentinel | Ecological Sentinel | FUNDACIO PRIVADA UNIVERSITAT I TECNOLOGIA | Spain | 2024 |
| NanoBiCar | NanoBiCar: A novel immunotherapy for infectious diseases | UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE VALENCIA | Spain | 2024 |
| SONOCRAFT | High-throughput ultrasound-based volumetric 3D printing for tissue engineering | UNIVERSITAT DE BARCELONA | Spain | 2024 |
| SYNFEED | Synthetic proteins for sustainable animal feeding | UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE VALENCIA | Spain | 2024 |
| WATERsense | Ultrasensitive nanoplatform enabling on-site and continuous water pollutant detection based on analyte fingerprinting. | UNIVERSITAT DE BARCELONA | Spain | 2024 |
| EQUSPACE | ENABLING NEW QUANTUM FRONTIERS WITH SPIN ACOUSTICS IN SILICON | JYVASKYLAN YLIOPISTO | Finland | 2024 |
| RE-IMAGINE-CROPS | RE-IMAGINE-CROPS – A real-time mobile multimodal positron emission tomography and multiphoton endoscopic technology for REalistic in-field quantitative IMAGING of CROPS | EURO-BIOIMAGING ERIC | Finland | 2024 |
| ELEQUANT | Entangled Flying Electron Quantum Technology | CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS | France | 2024 |
| PELVITRACK | PELVIc Floor Evaluation live TRACKing – Real-time prediction of perineal trauma | INSTITUT MINES-TELECOM | France | 2024 |
| SpinDataCom | SPIN-V(E)CSELS FOR ULTRAFAST AND HIGHLY-EFFICIENT SPACE AND EARTH DATA COMMUNICATIONS | CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS | France | 2024 |
| QCEED | Quantum Dot coupling engineering (and dynamic spin decoupling/deep nuclei cooling): 2-dimensional cluster state generation for quantum information processing | UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK - NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, CORK | Ireland | 2024 |
| DDG-MRI | DDG-MRI for cancer detection - A novel medical imaging approach that correlates to FDG-PET without ionising radiation | HADASSAH MEDICAL ORGANIZATION | Israel | 2024 |
| BactEradiX | Advanced nanomaterials to target genomic and Z-DNA for bacterial biofilm eradication | ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNA | Italy | 2024 |
| BANTER | Bimodal Ammonia Nuclear Thermal and Electric Rocket | UNIVERSITA DI PISA | Italy | 2024 |
| ERMES | INFORMATION TRANSFER BETWEEN MEDICAL DOCTORS AND IMPLANTED MEDICAL DEVICES VIA ARTIFICIAL MOLECULAR COMMUNICATION | UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI CATANIA | Italy | 2024 |
| LEAF | SeLf-powered self-rEshaping Autarkic skin For wireless motes - LEAF | FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA | Italy | 2024 |
| MULTISCOPE | MULTIMODE NONLINEAR FIBER BASED ENDOSCOPIC IMAGING AND TREATMENT | UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA LA SAPIENZA | Italy | 2024 |
| MUSMET | Musical Metaverse made in Europe: an innovation lab for musicians and audiences of the future | UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TRENTO | Italy | 2024 |
| Spectra- BREAST | Multimodal Hypersprectal Imaging and Raman Spectroscopy for Intraoperative Assessment of Breast Tumor Resection Margins | ISTITUTI CLINICI SCIENTIFICI MAUGERI SOCIETA' PER AZIONI SOCIETA' BENEFIT | Italy | 2024 |
| THREAD | Thermite reactions assisting satellite demise | POLITECNICO DI MILANO | Italy | 2024 |
| VALERIA | Van der Waals materials for integrated nanophotonics | UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA LA SAPIENZA | Italy | 2024 |
| VirHoX | Hacking the ribosome to map virus-host associations | UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA | Italy | 2024 |
| iNSIGHT | INTELLIGENT ENCAPSULATION AND SCREENING PLATFORM FOR PRECISION DELIVERY OF PROBIOTICS TO IMPROVE GUT HEALTH | WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY | Netherlands | 2024 |
| ReverseStroke | Restoring movement lost to stroke | ONWARD MEDICAL NV | Netherlands | 2024 |
| ELLIPTIC | ExpLoring Lithium tantalate on Insulator PhoTonic Integrated Circuits | NORGES TEKNISK-NATURVITENSKAPELIGE UNIVERSITET NTNU | Norway | 2024 |
| OPTIPATH | ADAPTIVE OPTICAL METASURFACES FOR REAL-TIME, LABEL-FREE AND NON-DESTRUCTIVE 7D DIGITAL PATHOLOGY | SINTEF AS | Norway | 2024 |
| SCALPEL | Specific Conjugation of Antibodies to Lipid Photo-peroxidised cancer tissues for their immunogenic ELimination | OSLO UNIVERSITETSSYKEHUS HF | Norway | 2024 |
| CancerScan | Smart pathology slide scanner for diagnosis and patient-specific treatment recommendation in oncology | NEOVIVUM TECHNOLOGIES DOO NOVI SAD | Serbia | 2024 |
| 1MICRON | NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR 1 MICRON RESOLUTION BIOMEDICAL IMAGING | KUNGLIGA TEKNISKA HOEGSKOLAN | Sweden | 2024 |
| TauEB | Tau-E Breakthrough (TauEB): Infinite clean energy through fusion power to the grid & beyond | KUNGLIGA TEKNISKA HOEGSKOLAN | Sweden | 2024 |
| VOLUMINEX | Instrument-free 3D molecular imaging with the VOLumetric UMI-Network EXplorer | KUNGLIGA TEKNISKA HOEGSKOLAN | Sweden | 2024 |
| REMEDY | Archibiome tattoo for resistant, responsive, and resilient cities | INNORENEW COE CENTER ODLICNOSTI ZA RAZISKAVE IN INOVACIJE NA PODROCJU OBNOVLJIVIH MATERIALOV IN ZDRAVEGA BIVANJSKEGA OKOLJA | Slovenia | 2024 |
| IMProGlyco | Inhibitor-Mediated Programming of Glycoforms | UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS | United Kingdom | 2024 |
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The articles found on Rasph.com reflect the opinions of Rasph or its respective authors and in no way reflect opinions held by the European Commission (EC) or the European Innovation Council (EIC). The provided information aims to share perspectives that are valuable and can potentially inform applicants regarding grant funding schemes such as the EIC Accelerator, EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition or related programs such as Innovate UK in the United Kingdom or the Small Business Innovation and Research grant (SBIR) in the United States.
The articles can also be a useful resource for other consultancies in the grant space as well as professional grant writers who are hired as freelancers or are part of a Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME). The EIC Accelerator is part of Horizon Europe (2021-2027) which has recently replaced the previous framework program Horizon 2020.
This article was written by ChatEIC. ChatEIC is an EIC Accelerator assistant that can advise on the writing of proposals, discuss current trends and create insightful articles on a variety of topics. The articles written by ChatEIC can contain inaccurate or outdated information.
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