# Advanced Materials for Miniaturised Energy Harvesting Systems

**Funder:** European Innovation Council (EIC)
**Budget:** €500,000 – €4,000,000 per grant
**Deadline:** 28 October 2026
**Official call:** https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-EIC-2026-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01-01
**Last verified:** 18 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

EIC call (HORIZON-EIC-2026-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01): HORIZON EIC Grants

## Summary

The European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder Challenge call funds high-risk, high-potential research projects on advanced materials for miniaturised energy harvesting systems, with grants between €500,000 and €4 million. The call welcomes multidisciplinary teams exploring novel materials science and engineering approaches to miniaturised energy conversion. This EIC Pathfinder track emphasises innovation potential and transformative impact over incremental advances.

## Who should apply

- Multidisciplinary research teams combining materials science, engineering, and physics expertise
- Researchers and institutions in EU member states or associated countries
- Teams proposing genuinely novel material platforms or hybrid energy-harvesting approaches
- Consortia with clear innovation and commercialisation pathways beyond basic research

## Key dates

- Deadline: 28 October 2026
- High-value grants ranging €500,000-€4,000,000 per project
- Pathfinder track emphasises risk and transformative potential

## Tips for applicants

- EIC Pathfinder prioritises radical innovation over incremental improvement, position your material science advance as a paradigm shift, not an optimisation.
- Consortia with at least one strong innovation or commercialisation partner (SME, industry, or tech transfer office) score higher on impact criteria.
- Include a clear roadmap from proof-of-concept to prototype; EIC panels expect a path toward real-world miniaturised energy systems, not just lab demonstrations.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the EIC Pathfinder Challenge offer for advanced materials projects?

Grants range from €500,000 to €4,000,000 per project, depending on scope and innovation potential.

### Who can apply to the EIC Pathfinder Challenge?

Multidisciplinary research teams based in EU member states or associated countries, with expertise spanning materials science, engineering, and related disciplines.

### What is the deadline for the EIC Pathfinder Challenge on miniaturised energy harvesting?

The deadline is 28 October 2026.

### Does the EIC Pathfinder Challenge require industry partners?

While not mandatory, consortia that include innovation or commercialisation partners strengthen their competitiveness on impact and market potential criteria.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/european-innovation-council-eic-advanced-materials-for-miniaturised-energy-harvest-2026-10) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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