European Innovation Council (EIC)
DeepRAP: Deep Reasoning, Abstraction & Planning towards trustworthy Cognitive AI Systems
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The European Innovation Council (EIC) DeepRAP Pathfinder Challenge funds ambitious research and innovation projects developing deep reasoning, abstraction, and planning capabilities for trustworthy cognitive AI systems, with grants ranging from €500,000 to €4,000,000. The call welcomes consortia and individual applicants across Europe and associated countries working on AI safety, interpretability, and robust decision-making. This is a high-impact call targeting breakthrough science and innovation with near-term feasibility.
Details
| Funder | European Innovation Council (EIC) |
| Budget | €500,000 – €4,000,000 per grant |
| Deadline | 28 October 2026 |
Eligibility & scope
EIC call (HORIZON-EIC-2026-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01): HORIZON EIC Grants
Who Should Apply
- •Research teams and consortia in EU member states or associated countries
- •Projects bridging fundamental AI research with innovation and real-world application
- •Researchers focused on interpretability, safety, and robust decision-making in AI systems
- •Applicants prepared for a high-budget, competitive, multi-stage evaluation process
Key Dates
- •Deadline: 28 October 2026
- •Multi-stage evaluation (concept note, then full proposal and interview for shortlisted candidates)
- •Project duration determined by grant award and complexity (typically 3-4 years for Pathfinder grants)
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Pathfinder Challenges prioritise innovation potential and real-world impact alongside scientific novelty; frame your proposal around a concrete use case or deployment scenario.
- ✓The budget range is wide (€500k-€4M); stronger proposals justify the higher end with detailed work packages, team expertise, and risk mitigation, not just ambition.
- ✓EIC panels value cross-sector collaboration; include private-sector partners, end-users, or deployment stakeholders to strengthen implementation credibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the budget range for the EIC DeepRAP Pathfinder Challenge?
Grants range from €500,000 to €4,000,000 per project, depending on scope and complexity.
Who is eligible to apply for the EIC DeepRAP call?
Research teams and individual organisations based in EU member states or associated countries, including academic institutions, SMEs, and large enterprises.
What is the deadline for the EIC DeepRAP Pathfinder Challenge?
The deadline is 28 October 2026 at 00:00 UTC.
Is the EIC DeepRAP call a single-stage or multi-stage application?
It is a multi-stage process: applicants first submit a concept note, and shortlisted teams then submit a full proposal and participate in an interview.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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