This updated edition is a practical, in‑depth guide designed to help applicants prepare high‑quality proposals for the 2026 EIC Pathfinder Open call. Developed by experienced National Contact Points across Europe, the document provides detailed annotations to the official proposal template, clarifying expectations and offering concrete guidance based on evaluator feedback and hands‑on experience with previous calls.
The annotated template supports applicants in understanding how to effectively present:
- the long‑term scientific vision and ambition,
- the science‑towards‑technology breakthrough,
- project objectives and methodology,
- the interdisciplinary approach,
- expected impacts,
- and the quality of the implementation, including work plan and consortium roles.
The 2026 edition also reflects updates introduced in the latest Work Programme, including the revised weight of the evaluation criteria and enhanced guidance on open science practices, gender dimension, AI robustness, and data management.
This resource is intended for researchers, innovators, and organisations aiming to develop breakthrough, high‑risk/high‑gain scientific and technological projects aligned with the EIC Pathfinder scheme.
👉 Download here the Annotated Proposal Template (2026 edition)