The results of the EIC Pathfinder Open 2024 call, which closed in March, have just been announced. Out of 1,178 project proposals submitted globally (158 nationally), 45 projects were funded. Portuguese applicants were primarily from higher education institutions and research organizations, with approximately 30% involving innovative companies.

Nationally, seven projects with Portuguese entities received funding, representing 15.6% of the 45 approved projects. The nine institutions involved secured approximately €3 million for Portugal, achieving a proposal success rate of 4.43%—higher than the European average.

The Pathfinder is one of three instruments under the European Innovation Council Program aimed at supporting R&D projects focused on developing advanced, innovative, and disruptive scientific technologies and solutions. These projects have the potential to create new markets and/or address global challenges at an early stage of maturity.