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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal under this EIC Pathfinder Challenge must demonstrate genuine high-risk/high-gain deep-tech biotechnology, moving beyond single-stress phenotypes to conquer complex, multi-stress climate scenarios (e.g., heat-drought-salinity combinations) or novel plant-based biomanufacturing paradigms. Consortia should tightly integrate cutting-edge multi-omics, AI-driven predictive modeling, and microbiome engineering to deliver viable, validated plants reaching TRL 4, while proactively incorporating EFSA regulatory foresight and active participation in the mandatory Challenge-wide portfolio monitoring/LCA work package.
TRL 1 → 4
Enhancing tolerance to stress combinations occurring due to different climate scenarios that include the simultaneous exposure of crops to different stresses e.g. heat combined with drought, salinity, flooding, high CO2 levels, as well as indirect effect of climate change via altered composition and behaviour of weeds, insects, pathogens and soil microbiome and possible impact of human-generated pollutants.
Increasing water use efficiency and nutrient use efficiency compared to current crops in commercial use.
Improving plant reproduction and seed filling processes under unfavourable conditions caused by combination of at least two stress factors.
Investigating and enhancing plant and soil microbiome interactions.
Substantially increasing the nutritional value (e.g. proteins, vitamins) in crops through plant native and non-native ingredients in crops.
Develop a complete methodology for assessing the increase of plant growth, yields, and climate resilience to single and multiple stresses, and/or assess changes to the nutritional value of crops, as appropriate.
Include multi-omics approaches including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and phenomics, potentially underpinned by leveraging technologies such as nanoparticle technology, chemistry, and advanced artificial intelligence.
Address the narrow genetic diversity of novel crops and consider regulatory aspects building on the work carried out so far by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), where appropriate.
Participate in a work package dedicated to the development of monitoring and prediction methodologies for climate adaptation assessment and lifecycle-analysis.
Development of climate smart crops and the production of high value plant native and non-native ingredients in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner.
Breakthrough technologies reaching TRL4 (validation in laboratory environment) with viable plants at the end of the projects.
Improve the sustainability, efficiency, biodiversity and resilience of the European food supply chain.
Secure long-term competitiveness of EU Food supply chain while decreasing EU dependency on imports of inputs for primary production, feed, and food.
Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU
highThe Communication on Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU identifies life sciences and biotech as vital drivers for EU competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience. It outlines actions to support R&I, streamline regulatory pathways, foster public-private investments, and accelerate the commercial uptake of bio-based innovations across agriculture, health, and industry.
Evaluators expect proposals to directly address key biomanufacturing scale-up bottlenecks, demonstrate clear pathways from lab-scale biotech innovations to market deployment, and show how novel plant-based systems can substitute fossil-based or carbon-intensive processes.
EU Green Deal
highThe EU Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a fair, healthy, and environmentally sustainable society, with a focus on sustainable food systems. This call aligns with the Green Deal’s goals by addressing the health impacts of diets and promoting resilient, inclusive food systems that support mental well-being.
Evaluators will look for proposals that demonstrate how the project contributes to sustainable food production, reduces environmental footprints, and promotes equitable access to healthy diets, particularly in vulnerable groups.
Farm to Fork strategy
highThe Farm to Fork Strategy is a key component of the European Green Deal, aiming to make food systems fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly. It includes targets for reducing the environmental footprint of food production, improving animal welfare, and ensuring food security.
Proposals should show how they will contribute to the Farm to Fork Strategy's goals, particularly in terms of sustainable fisheries, reducing pollution, and ensuring safe and healthy seafood for consumers. Evaluators will look for solutions that enhance the resilience and sustainability of food systems.
Nature Restoration Law
mediumThe Nature Restoration Law is a proposed EU regulation aiming to put in place legally binding targets for nature restoration across various ecosystems, including agricultural lands, forests, and marine areas. It seeks to reverse biodiversity loss, enhance ecosystem resilience, and help the EU achieve its climate mitigation and adaptation goals by restoring degraded habitats and species.
Proposals should demonstrate how their activities contribute to the restoration targets set by the law, particularly concerning soil and water ecosystems. This includes measures for improving ecological integrity, hydrological functions, and overall ecosystem health, directly addressing the degradation of natural areas and the soil-water nexus.
Fit for 55
mediumThe Fit for 55 package is a comprehensive set of legislative proposals designed to align EU climate, energy, land use, and taxation policies with the binding target of cutting net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
Evaluators expect clear quantitative estimations of emission reductions across the production life cycle, showing how plant-based biomanufacturing or climate-resilient crop practices contribute to the EU's 2030 decarbonisation and land-use carbon removal targets.
REPowerEU
lowREPowerEU is the European Commission's plan to end reliance on Russian fossil fuels and fast-forward the clean transition through energy savings, diversification of energy supplies, and accelerated roll-out of renewable energy and alternative bio-based resources.
Evaluators expect proposals to highlight how bio-based processes and sustainable plant feedstocks can substitute fossil-derived raw materials and energy-intensive inputs, thereby bolstering European strategic autonomy and resource security.
Specific requirements
Single applicant
A single legal entity may apply if it is established in a Member State or an Associated Country, unless the Challenge states otherwise. In single beneficiary projects, mid-caps and larger companies are not permitted.
Consortium of two entities
Two independent legal entities from two different Member States or Associated Countries.
Consortium of three or more entities
At least three independent legal entities, each established in a different country: at least one in a Member State, and at least two others each in different Member States or Associated Countries.
Entities eligible for funding
Entities established in a Member State (including outermost regions and linked Overseas Countries and Territories), in a country associated to Horizon Europe Pillar III, or in one of the low- and middle-income countries listed in Annex 2, section B.2 of the EIC Work Programme 2026. Other entities may participate without funding, unless their participation is considered essential.
Exclusive focus on civil applications
Projects must focus exclusively on civil applications, and must not aim at human cloning for reproductive purposes, heritable modification of the genetic heritage of human beings, or the creation of human embryos solely for research or stem cell procurement (Annex 2, B.4).
Gender equality plan
Public bodies, research organisations and higher education establishments from Member States and Associated Countries must have a gender equality plan; a self-declaration is requested at proposal stage. This does not apply to private for-profit organisations, including SMEs (Annex 2, B.8).
Protection of European communication networks
Applications with elements that concern the evolution of European communication networks (5G, post-5G and related technologies) are subject to restrictions: entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment are not eligible (Annex 2, B.1).
EU contribution
An EU contribution of up to EUR 4 million is considered appropriate; larger amounts may be requested if duly justified. Funding rate 100%, as a lump sum.
Consortium and single entity eligibility
Proposals may be submitted by single legal entities or consortia established in a Member State or an Associated Country.
Single beneficiary company size restriction
In the case of single beneficiary projects, mid-caps and larger companies will not be permitted.
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In order to apply, your proposal must meet the general eligibility requirements (see Annex 2) as well as specific eligibility requirements for the Challenge (please see TOPIC DESCRIPTION above).
Please check for particular elements (e.g., specific application focus or technology) in the respective Challenge chapter.
The EIC Pathfinder Challenges support collaborative or individual research and innovation from consortia or from single legal entities established in a Member State or an Associated Country (unless stated otherwise in the specific Challenge chapter). In case of a consortium your proposal must be submitted by the coordinator on behalf of the consortium. Consortia of two entities must be comprised of independent legal entities from two different Member States or Associated Countries. Consortia of three or more entities must include as beneficiaries at least three legal entities, independent from each other and each established in a different country as follows:
The legal entities may for example be universities, research organisations, SMEs, start-ups, natural persons. In the case of single beneficiary projects, mid-caps and larger companies will not be permitted.
Applications with elements that concern the evolution of European communication networks (5G, post-5G and other technologies linked to the evolution of European communication networks) will be subject to restriction for the protection of European communication networks (see Annex II – Section B1).
The standard admissibility and eligibility conditions and the eligibility of applicants from third countries are detailed in Annex 2.
Proposal page limit and layout:
Described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
Sections 1 to 3 of the part B of your proposal, corresponding respectively to the evaluation criteria Excellence, Impact, and Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation, must consist of a maximum of 30 format A4 pages. Excess pages will be automatically made invisible, and will not be taken into consideration by the evaluators. Please also consult Annex 2 of the EIC Work Programme 2025.
Described in Annex 2 of the EIC Work Programme 2025.
Described in the EIC Work Programme 2025.
Described in Annex 2 of the EIC Work Programme 2025.
Described in section II of the EIC Work Programme 2025.
Described in section II of the EIC Work Programme 2025 and the Online Manual.
Described in section II of the EIC Work Programme 2025.
Please refer to the Lump Sum Model Grant Agreement (Lump Sum MGA) used for Lump Sum EIC actions under Horizon Europe.
Described in the EIC Work Programme 2025
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Standard application form (HE EIC Pathfinder Challenges)
Standard evaluation form (HE EIC Pathfinder Challenges)
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Information on clinical studies (HE)
Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2018/1046
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Evaluators are instructed under EIC Pathfinder rules to prioritize breakthrough scientific novelty and radical vision over incremental breeding improvements. They will critically assess: (1) whether stress tolerance is evaluated under authentic combined stresses rather than isolated laboratory conditions, (2) the robustness of multi-omics and advanced tech (AI, nanotechnology) integration, (3) the concrete path to reaching TRL 4 with viable plants by project end (@EO2), and (4) compliance with the specific challenge governance, notably contributing to portfolio-level climate adaptation prediction and lifecycle assessment (@SC9).
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific objectives | |||
| SC1Enhancing tolerance to stress combinations occurring due to different climate scenarios that include the simultaneous exposure of crops to different stresses e.g. heat combined with drought, salinity, flooding, high CO2 levels, as well as indirect effect of climate change via altered composition and behaviour of weeds, insects, pathogens and soil microbiome and possible impact of human-generated pollutants. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Increasing water use efficiency and nutrient use efficiency compared to current crops in commercial use. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Improving plant reproduction and seed filling processes under unfavourable conditions caused by combination of at least two stress factors. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Investigating and enhancing plant and soil microbiome interactions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Substantially increasing the nutritional value (e.g. proteins, vitamins) in crops through plant native and non-native ingredients in crops. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Develop a complete methodology for assessing the increase of plant growth, yields, and climate resilience to single and multiple stresses, and/or assess changes to the nutritional value of crops, as appropriate. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7Include multi-omics approaches including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and phenomics, potentially underpinned by leveraging technologies such as nanoparticle technology, chemistry, and advanced artificial intelligence. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC8Address the narrow genetic diversity of novel crops and consider regulatory aspects building on the work carried out so far by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), where appropriate. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC9Participate in a work package dedicated to the development of monitoring and prediction methodologies for climate adaptation assessment and lifecycle-analysis. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Development of climate smart crops and the production of high value plant native and non-native ingredients in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Breakthrough technologies reaching TRL4 (validation in laboratory environment) with viable plants at the end of the projects. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Work package for climate adaptation assessment and lifecycle-analysisAll projects will participate in a work package dedicated to the development of monitoring and prediction methodologies for climate adaptation assessment and lifecycle-analysis. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Consideration of EFSA regulatory aspectsProposals are expected to consider regulatory aspects and to build on the work carried out so far by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), where appropriate. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Inter-project synergy within the Challenge portfolioSelected projects for the portfolio should establish synergy with one another in terms of a common component, such as addressing similar stress factors across different crops or leveraging similar technologies. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Improve the sustainability, efficiency, biodiversity and resilience of the European food supply chain. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Secure long-term competitiveness of EU Food supply chain while decreasing EU dependency on imports of inputs for primary production, feed, and food. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1boosting biotechnology and biomanufacturing in the euThe Communication on Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU identifies life sciences and biotech as vital drivers for EU competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience. It outlines actions to support R&I, streamline regulatory pathways, foster public-private investments, and accelerate the commercial uptake of bio-based innovations across agriculture, health, and industry. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2european green dealThe EU Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a fair, healthy, and environmentally sustainable society, with a focus on sustainable food systems. This call aligns with the Green Deal’s goals by addressing the health impacts of diets and promoting resilient, inclusive food systems that support mental well-being. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3farm to fork strategyThe Farm to Fork Strategy is a key component of the European Green Deal, aiming to make food systems fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly. It includes targets for reducing the environmental footprint of food production, improving animal welfare, and ensuring food security. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
LMIC entities auto-eligible
Low/middle-income country entities are automatically eligible for funding.
Single applicant
A single legal entity may apply if it is established in a Member State or an Associated Country, unless the Challenge states otherwise. In single beneficiary projects, mid-caps and larger companies are not permitted.
Consortium of two entities
Two independent legal entities from two different Member States or Associated Countries.
Consortium of three or more entities
At least three independent legal entities, each established in a different country: at least one in a Member State, and at least two others each in different Member States or Associated Countries.
Entities eligible for funding
Entities established in a Member State (including outermost regions and linked Overseas Countries and Territories), in a country associated to Horizon Europe Pillar III, or in one of the low- and middle-income countries listed in Annex 2, section B.2 of the EIC Work Programme 2026. Other entities may participate without funding, unless their participation is considered essential.
Exclusive focus on civil applications
Projects must focus exclusively on civil applications, and must not aim at human cloning for reproductive purposes, heritable modification of the genetic heritage of human beings, or the creation of human embryos solely for research or stem cell procurement (Annex 2, B.4).
Gender equality plan
Public bodies, research organisations and higher education establishments from Member States and Associated Countries must have a gender equality plan; a self-declaration is requested at proposal stage. This does not apply to private for-profit organisations, including SMEs (Annex 2, B.8).
Protection of European communication networks
Applications with elements that concern the evolution of European communication networks (5G, post-5G and related technologies) are subject to restrictions: entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment are not eligible (Annex 2, B.1).
EU contribution
An EU contribution of up to EUR 4 million is considered appropriate; larger amounts may be requested if duly justified. Funding rate 100%, as a lump sum.
Consortium and single entity eligibility
Proposals may be submitted by single legal entities or consortia established in a Member State or an Associated Country.
Single beneficiary company size restriction
In the case of single beneficiary projects, mid-caps and larger companies will not be permitted.
5 key insights you must internalise before writing. Each is grounded in the call text and tells you what evaluators will actually look for. Share these with your consortium before drafting.
Proposals must move beyond single-stress phenotypes. Evaluators are explicitly instructed to penalize isolated laboratory testing and will critically assess the evaluation of stress tolerance under authentic combined stresses (e.g., heat combined with drought and salinity). Ensure your experimental design reflects complex, multi-stress climate scenarios.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
Your proposal must include a dedicated work package for portfolio monitoring and lifecycle-analysis. Evaluators will check compliance with this specific challenge governance, as all funded projects will collaborate on developing climate adaptation prediction methodologies at the portfolio level.
Source: Scope
Reaching TRL 4 in this call requires more than theoretical or in-vitro validation. Evaluators will look for a concrete path to delivering viable plants by the end of the project. Your work plan must explicitly schedule the generation and validation of these living prototypes.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
Consortia must proactively incorporate EFSA regulatory foresight into their methodology, especially when utilizing New Genomic Techniques (NGTs). Proposals that fail to address the narrow genetic diversity of novel crops and the associated regulatory safety aspects will be penalized during evaluation.
Source: Scope
Because this call uses a Lump Sum budget, your payment cadence is entirely dependent on work package completion. You must strategically align your largest lump sum installments with the successful delivery of your viable plant prototypes and multi-omics validations to avoid severe cash-flow bottlenecks.
Source: Eligibility rules
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