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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal must present a radically novel physical or chemical mechanism for miniaturised energy harvesting that explicitly avoids Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) while demonstrating high power density. Success hinges on coupling AI-accelerated material discovery with deep device miniaturisation, culminating in an energetically autonomous system validated at TRL 4 within high-impact use cases such as IoT sensing or biomedical point-of-care diagnostics. Crucially, applicants must structure concrete portfolio engagement tasks and clear transition-to-market roadmaps aligned with the EU Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership initiative.
TRL 1 → 4
The identification and development of innovative advanced materials for energy harvesting, harnessing new physical/ chemical phenomena, leading to a radical shift in application range and performance while reducing the reliance on Critical Raw Materials (CRMs)
The implementation of the advanced materials in a miniaturised energy harvesting module, such as, but not limited to, miniaturised solar cells, thermoelectric generators (e.g. TEG), nanotribological/ piezoelectric devices, electromagnetic wave harvesting devices
Integration of the miniaturised energy harvesting modules in energetically autonomous systems (e.g. wireless integrated sensors)
Benchmarking the harvesting modules in a representative use case in a laboratory environment (TRL 4) with a view to demonstrating significant efficiency improvements, in terms of energy harvested, compared to the state of the art.
Leveraging digital tools such as AI to accelerate the process of identifying, designing, fabricating, and characterising these new materials is encouraged.
All proposals should also identify potential markets and the associated impacts of their innovations.
Lead and/or engage in portfolio activities centred on benchmarking to compare proposed technologies, phenomena exploited, advanced materials used and approaches
Engage in portfolio activities to share scientific considerations, results on the different physical/chemical phenomena studied to advance the knowledge and foster new disclosures in the field with potential shifts in the paradigm
Engage in portfolio activities sharing insights on integration of the modules to solve potential issues and help advance towards delivering effective operational energetically autonomous systems
Engage in portfolio activities developing an integrated approach with different complimentary energy harvesting modules for specific use-cases and to enhance the final energy harvested
Engage in portfolio activities communicating to target audiences such as corporates, investors, alongside the broader public to raise awareness on the topic with a view to accelerating the adoption of these radical innovations.
identify a new generation of advanced materials for miniaturised energy harvesting modules
achieve TRL 4 for the resulting energetically autonomous systems.
A new generation of energetically autonomous systems enabling new services that will improve the life of European citizens through applications in areas such as point of care diagnostics, smart sustainable cities etc.
Supporting sustainability in energy consumption and production in keeping with the ambitions of RePowerEU and the Green Deal
Enhancement of the sustainability of IoTs and energetically autonomous systems in general.
European Commission Communication “Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership”
highThe European Commission Communication "Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership" (COM(2024) 98) outlines an EU strategy to secure industrial competitiveness and technological sovereignty through advanced materials. It prioritises research and innovation, capital investment, standardisation, and sustainable design to accelerate deployment in key strategic sectors such as energy, electronics, and green transition technologies.
Evaluators expect proposals to align with the Communication's focus areas, demonstrating how novel materials achieve scalable, safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) profiles, address critical raw material dependencies, and accelerate industrial uptake in strategic technologies such as autonomous mini-energy harvesting devices.
RePowerEU
mediumREPowerEU is the European Commission's strategic plan to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels and fast-forward the clean energy transition. It focuses on energy conservation, diversification of energy supplies, and accelerated roll-out of renewable and energy-efficient technologies across EU industries and infrastructure.
Evaluators expect projects to highlight contributions to energy efficiency, decentralised energy generation, or reduction in fossil fuel and critical raw material dependencies, detailing how harvesting miniaturised environmental energy supports sustainable, low-power, and resilient energy systems.
European Green Deal
mediumThe European Green Deal is the EU's overarching growth strategy to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. It aims to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy, ensuring no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 and decoupling economic growth from resource use. It encompasses various policy areas, including climate, energy, transport, industry, agriculture, and biodiversity.
Proposals should clearly demonstrate how their solutions contribute to the broader objectives of the European Green Deal, particularly in areas relevant to food systems, such as reducing environmental impact, fostering sustainability, enhancing resource efficiency, and contributing to climate neutrality. Specific links to relevant Green Deal strategies (e.g., Farm to Fork, Biodiversity) are expected.
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In order to apply, your proposal must meet the general eligibility requirements (see Annex 2 of EIC Work Programme 2026) as well as specific eligibility requirements for the Challenge (please see the 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 2026.
Described in Annex 2 of the EIC Work Programme 2026.
Described in Annex 2 of the EIC Work Programme 2026.
Described in Annex 2 of the EIC Work Programme 2026.
Described in Section II of the EIC Work Programme 2026.
Described in Section II of the EIC Work Programme 2026 and the Online Manual.
Described in Section II of the EIC Work Programme 2026.
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 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Standard application form (HE EIC Pathfinder Challenges)
Standard evaluation form (HE EIC Pathfinder Challenges)
Challenge Guide: Advanced Materials for Miniaturised Energy Harvesting Systems
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 under EIC Pathfinder Challenges will rigorously screen for high-risk/high-gain scientific breakthrough potential beyond incremental materials optimisation. They will scrutinise whether the material system genuinely reduces or eliminates CRMs, the technical credibility of achieving @EO2 (TRL 4 validation of an integrated autonomous device), and the proactive alignment of dedicated work packages with EIC Portfolio Activities (@SC7 to @SC11).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1The identification and development of innovative advanced materials for energy harvesting, harnessing new physical/ chemical phenomena, leading to a radical shift in application range and performance while reducing the reliance on Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2The implementation of the advanced materials in a miniaturised energy harvesting module, such as, but not limited to, miniaturised solar cells, thermoelectric generators (e.g. TEG), nanotribological/ piezoelectric devices, electromagnetic wave harvesting devices | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Integration of the miniaturised energy harvesting modules in energetically autonomous systems (e.g. wireless integrated sensors) | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Benchmarking the harvesting modules in a representative use case in a laboratory environment (TRL 4) with a view to demonstrating significant efficiency improvements, in terms of energy harvested, compared to the state of the art. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Leveraging digital tools such as AI to accelerate the process of identifying, designing, fabricating, and characterising these new materials is encouraged. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6All proposals should also identify potential markets and the associated impacts of their innovations. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7Lead and/or engage in portfolio activities centred on benchmarking to compare proposed technologies, phenomena exploited, advanced materials used and approaches | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC8Engage in portfolio activities to share scientific considerations, results on the different physical/chemical phenomena studied to advance the knowledge and foster new disclosures in the field with potential shifts in the paradigm | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC9Engage in portfolio activities sharing insights on integration of the modules to solve potential issues and help advance towards delivering effective operational energetically autonomous systems | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC10Engage in portfolio activities developing an integrated approach with different complimentary energy harvesting modules for specific use-cases and to enhance the final energy harvested | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC11Engage in portfolio activities communicating to target audiences such as corporates, investors, alongside the broader public to raise awareness on the topic with a view to accelerating the adoption of these radical innovations. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1identify a new generation of advanced materials for miniaturised energy harvesting modules | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2achieve TRL 4 for the resulting energetically autonomous systems. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Engagement in EIC Challenge portfolio activitiesSelected projects will be assigned to lead and/or engage in portfolio activities including joint benchmarking, sharing scientific considerations and results, sharing integration insights, developing integrated approaches across complementary modules, and communicating to investors, corporates, and the public. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Protection restrictions for European communication networksApplications with elements that concern the evolution of European communication networks (5G, post-5G, and other technologies linked to network evolution) will be subject to specific restrictions for the protection of European communication networks. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1A new generation of energetically autonomous systems enabling new services that will improve the life of European citizens through applications in areas such as point of care diagnostics, smart sustainable cities etc. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Supporting sustainability in energy consumption and production in keeping with the ambitions of RePowerEU and the Green Deal | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3Enhancement of the sustainability of IoTs and energetically autonomous systems in general. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1communication advanced materials for industrial leadershipThe European Commission Communication "Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership" (COM(2024) 98) outlines an EU strategy to secure industrial competitiveness and technological sovereignty through advanced materials. It prioritises research and innovation, capital investment, standardisation, and sustainable design to accelerate deployment in key strategic sectors such as energy, electronics, and green transition technologies. | · | · | 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.
4 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.
Unlike standard Horizon Europe collaborative calls, this EIC Pathfinder Challenge permits single-beneficiary applications and two-partner consortia. However, if applying as a single entity, mid-caps and larger companies are strictly ineligible. Two-partner consortia only require entities from two different Member States or Associated Countries.
Source: Eligibility rules
Evaluators will rigorously scrutinise the proposal to ensure the new physical or chemical mechanism genuinely reduces or eliminates Critical Raw Materials (CRMs). Do not treat CRM reduction as a secondary policy benefit; it must be a central, scientifically validated premise of your material discovery approach to survive the high-risk/high-gain screening.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
Applicants must structure dedicated work packages for EIC Portfolio Activities. Evaluators will explicitly check for proactive alignment with cross-project benchmarking, data sharing, and market transition roadmapping. Failing to allocate concrete tasks and budget for these portfolio engagements will severely penalise the proposal.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
Because this is a Lump Sum grant, payments are released only upon full completion of work packages. The mandatory demonstration of the energetically autonomous system at TRL 4 in a representative use case must be carefully mapped to a specific work package, as its completion will trigger the critical final payment milestone.
Source: Eligibility rules
Talk to the Grant Coach to build your concept. There is no set order: start wherever your project starts. The sections below mirror what the conversation produces, and your coverage tracks the progress. You can refine everything once your project workspace is created.
The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.
Current ambient energy harvesters predominantly rely on toxic or scarce Critical Raw Materials (such as lead zirconate titanate or rare-earth thermoelectrics) while exhibiting insufficient conversion efficiencies at micro-scales, limiting battery-less operation.
Mismatch between intermittent micro-watt power generation and dynamic sensor/transceiver power consumption causes operational instability in fully autonomous embedded nodes.
Radical laboratory breakthroughs in physical harvesting mechanisms struggle to bridge TRL 2 to TRL 4 due to lack of standardized benchmarking protocols and weak early engagement with industrial supply chains and deep-tech capital.
Academic and RTO scientists investigating next-generation functional nanomaterials, micro-energy harvesting, and AI-driven materials acceleration platforms.
Fabless semiconductor design houses, sensor developers, and IoT hardware integrators requiring perpetual battery-less power solutions.
Clinical diagnostic developers and patients requiring autonomous, self-powered wearable or disposable biosensing systems.
Early-stage venture capital funds, corporate venture arms, and EIC programme managers steering the strategic portfolio toward market translation.
The long-term impacts your project should drive, and the policies they serve.
Radical reduction and elimination of Critical Raw Materials and toxic elements in energy micro-devices, reinforcing EU open strategic autonomy.
Mitigation of battery waste and greenhouse gas emissions associated with battery replacement cycles across smart cities and industrial wireless sensor networks.
Enabling maintenance-free point-of-care diagnostics and distributed environmental monitoring nodes that elevate European citizen wellbeing and public health infrastructure.