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The European Innovation Council (EIC) has announced the results of the 2025 EIC Pathfinder Open call, awarding over €140 million to visionary research projects developing radically new technologies with the potential to create future markets. 

The 2025 call drew record interest from the research community, with proposals received from 71 countries. Following evaluation, 44 projects were selected for funding. 

The selected consortia bring together universities (48%), private companies (27%) and research organisations (25%), to explore breakthrough ideas in fields such as quantum technologies, advanced materials, health, energy, and artificial intelligence. 

In addition to financial support, the selected projects will benefit from tailor-made coaching, mentoring, and networking opportunities through the EIC Business Acceleration Services, helping them translate their scientific vision into real-world innovation and impact. 

Examples of the selected projects include:  

• CEREBRIS tackles one of today’s most pressing health challenges: neurological disease. The project is developing a secure, federated, and explainable AI ecosystem for stroke care, capable of learning from diverse patient data such as brain scans, motion patterns, and neural signals. By enabling hospitals to collaborate without sharing raw data, CEREBRIS ensures privacy while improving diagnostics and rehabilitation outcomes. They aim to transform the entire stroke-care pathway—from early diagnosis to recovery—reducing long-term disability and healthcare costs worldwide.
• Superspin aims to achieve a major milestone in quantum communication by creating the technology to link a superconducting quantum computer with a spin-based quantum memory operating at different frequencies. The project will develop innovative devices to convert quantum signals between microwave and optical regimes, allowing distant quantum systems to interact. This breakthrough will provide a building block for interconnected quantum networks, enabling scalable, secure, and high-performance quantum technologies in Europe.
• Fiber3D pioneers a new fabrication method that integrates optical fibre sensors directly into metal structures using advanced 3D-printing and spraying techniques. This innovation allows real-time monitoring of temperature and strain in critical infrastructure such as railways, hydrogen pipelines, and nuclear power plants, dramatically improving safety, sustainability, and maintenance efficiency.  

Background information 

The Pathfinder programme supports visionary ideas for radically new technologies. It promotes high-risk/high-gain, interdisciplinary collaborations focused on early-stage technology development (Technology Readiness Levels 1–3), up to proof of concept.  

Funded projects benefit not only from grants of up to €3-4 million, but also from direct engagement with EIC Programme Managers. Additional funding opportunities are available to explore the innovative potential of research results or to support collaborative portfolio actions. 

Funding opportunities in 2026 

New funding opportunities and Pathfinder Open and Challenges deadlines will be announced in the 2026 EIC work programme that is expected to be adopted at the beginning of November 2025.  

More information