# Biotechnology for Healthy Ageing

**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-01-02
**Last updated:** 14 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

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

## Summary

This EIC Pathfinder Challenges call funds biotechnology research aimed at healthy ageing, with grants of €500,000 to €4 million per project. It targets research teams developing early-stage, science-based technologies in this area under Horizon Europe's EIC programme. The call sits within the HORIZON-EIC-2026-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01 topic, which funds high-risk, high-potential projects ahead of market readiness.

## Who should apply

- Research teams working on biotechnology approaches to ageing and age-related health
- Consortia proposing early-stage, high-risk science-based technology development
- Applicants eligible under Horizon Europe EIC funding rules
- Projects requiring substantial funding (€500K+) for multi-year technology development

## Key dates

- Deadline: 28 October 2026
- Call identifier: HORIZON-EIC-2026-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01

## Tips for applicants

- Frame the proposal around breakthrough science rather than incremental improvement, Pathfinder Challenges funds high-risk, long-horizon research, not near-market products.
- Address the specific challenge topic language closely, since EIC Pathfinder Challenges evaluates against predefined technology targets rather than open themes.
- Build a multidisciplinary team spanning biotech and ageing research, as panel reviewers assess scientific breadth alongside technical ambition.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the EIC Pathfinder Challenges Biotechnology for Healthy Ageing call provide?

Grants range from €500,000 to €4,000,000 per project.

### When is the deadline for this EIC call?

The deadline is 28 October 2026.

### What topic does this EIC call fall under?

It falls under HORIZON-EIC-2026-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01, part of the EIC Pathfinder Challenges within Horizon Europe.

### Who funds the Biotechnology for Healthy Ageing grant?

The European Innovation Council (EIC) funds this grant under Horizon Europe.

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

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