We've had an excellent experience collaborating with FI Group. Their team of consultants demonstrated proficiency in evaluating and comprehending our innovative wave energy technology, leading to a comprehensive technical report that played a significant role in securing our R&D tax credit repayment.
Horizon Europe Pathfinder Grant Support
Horizon Europe Pathfinder Grant Support UK
Access up to €4 million in EU funding to develop radical, early-stage ideas through the Pathfinder programme with expert support from FI Group UK.
What is the Horizon Europe Pathfinder Grant?
The Horizon Europe Pathfinder Grant supports visionary research and early-stage technology development, funding high-risk, high-gain projects with transformative potential. It is part of the European Innovation Council (EIC) and focuses on breakthrough scientific ideas that could create new markets or industries in the future.
Grants are available under two streams:
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Pathfinder Open: For any field of science or technology
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Pathfinder Challenges: For specific strategic goals set by the EU
UK organisations are fully eligible to apply as of 2024.
Can UK Companies Apply to Pathfinder?
Yes. Following the UK’s re-association to Horizon Europe, UK-based universities, research institutes, and innovative SMEs are fully eligible to:
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Coordinate or join transnational consortia
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Access both Pathfinder Open and Challenge calls
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Receive direct EU funding (100% of costs covered)
UK-led proposals are competitive when supported by strong partners, a convincing scientific vision, and well-articulated societal impact.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Targeted
| TRL | Stage | Pathfinder Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Basic research, concept explored | Ideal for blue-sky research |
| 3–4 | Experimental proof of concept | Lab validation, interdisciplinary tech |
Unlike EIC Accelerator or Transition, Pathfinder funds radical exploration, not incremental progress.
What Makes a Successful Pathfinder Proposal?Book An Intro Meeting
Winning proposals typically include:
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A radically new idea rooted in cutting-edge science
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Strong interdisciplinary collaboration
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A clear, though speculative, innovation vision
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A well-structured scientific methodology
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A plan to demonstrate proof of principle
FI Group helps translate scientific ambition into fundable proposals, aligning with what EU evaluators want to see.
Application Process
Horizon Europe Pathfinder
The Pathfinder application is highly competitive and involves multiple stages, each requiring a meticulous scientific approach, clear project articulation, and strategic consortium building. FI Group ensures your Pathfinder proposal aligns seamlessly with Horizon Europe's vision and evaluators' expectations.
Our Pathfinder Experts and European Network
FI Group’s Pathfinder team includes PhD-qualified consultants and industry specialists across physics, biomedical engineering, quantum technology, and other deep-tech disciplines. Many have successfully authored winning EU proposals and even served as evaluators themselves, providing clients with the strategic insights essential for success.
Our advantage extends beyond expert proposal writing. With a network of over 1,400 consultants in 13 European countries, FI Group offers exceptional access to consortium partners from leading research institutes, universities, and industry pioneers across Europe. This network allows us to rapidly assemble robust and strategically aligned consortia, significantly boosting your project’s competitiveness and credibility.
“Pathfinder is not about incremental steps. It is about rewriting what is possible. Our European network allows us to rapidly match UK innovators with outstanding international partners, forming highly competitive consortia. We help scientists articulate the ‘why now’ and ‘so what’ in a way that resonates clearly with evaluators” – Dr. Fawzi Abou-Chahine, Funding Director
Our Pathfinder Experts and European Network
FI Group’s Pathfinder team includes PhD-qualified consultants and industry specialists across physics, biomedical engineering, quantum technology, and other deep-tech disciplines. Many have successfully authored winning EU proposals and even served as evaluators themselves, providing clients with the strategic insights essential for success.
Our advantage extends beyond expert proposal writing. With a network of over 1,400 consultants in 13 European countries, FI Group offers exceptional access to consortium partners from leading research institutes, universities, and industry pioneers across Europe. This network allows us to rapidly assemble robust and strategically aligned consortia, significantly boosting your project’s competitiveness and credibility.
“Pathfinder is not about incremental steps. It is about rewriting what is possible. Our European network allows us to rapidly match UK innovators with outstanding international partners, forming highly competitive consortia. We help scientists articulate the ‘why now’ and ‘so what’ in a way that resonates clearly with evaluators” – Dr. Fawzi Abou-Chahine, Funding Director
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Horizon Europe Pathfinder Grant
Have questions about the Horizon Europe Pathfinder Grant? Our expert team has answered common queries below, drawing on deep experience supporting UK organisations and SMEs. With offices in 13 European countries and access to a wide network of potential consortium partners, FI Group ensures you're well-informed and strategically positioned to succeed.
Book A MeetingWith A PhD Expert
Spotlight on Success: Stablepharma Secures €2.5M Through the EIC Accelerator
In early 2025, Stablepharma Ltd was awarded €2.5 million in grant funding through the EIC Accelerator to advance its StablevaX™ technology, an innovation set to transform vaccine distribution by removing the need for cold‑chain logistics.
FI Group UK played a pivotal role in reviewing and strengthening the company’s final submission. Working closely with Stablepharma’s executive team, FI Group helped refine the technical narrative, align financials with key clinical milestones, and enhance the overall credibility and clarity of the application. The award made Stablepharma one of just five UK companies selected in a highly competitive round of over 1,200 applicants.
This success highlights how expert grant consultancy can significantly improve outcomes for high-potential applicants seeking funding under Horizon Europe’s most competitive instruments.
Spotlight on Success: Stablepharma Secures €2.5M Through the EIC Accelerator
In early 2025, Stablepharma Ltd was awarded €2.5 million in grant funding through the EIC Accelerator to advance its StablevaX™ technology, an innovation set to transform vaccine distribution by removing the need for cold‑chain logistics.
FI Group UK played a pivotal role in reviewing and strengthening the company’s final submission. Working closely with Stablepharma’s executive team, FI Group helped refine the technical narrative, align financials with key clinical milestones, and enhance the overall credibility and clarity of the application. The award made Stablepharma one of just five UK companies selected in a highly competitive round of over 1,200 applicants.
This success highlights how expert grant consultancy can significantly improve outcomes for high-potential applicants seeking funding under Horizon Europe’s most competitive instruments.
What Our Clients Say
Leading innovators across the UK, from deep-tech start-ups to large research-driven corporates, trust FI Group to guide their most strategic grant bids. Our tailored support has helped secure multi-million euro awards through Horizon Europe, the EIC Accelerator, and Innovate UK. Clients return to us year after year for our end-to-end delivery, strategic insight, and deep evaluator understanding.
The smoothest way to work on R&D Tax Credit – not only are they experts of the subject but also sectors specialists; FI Group could get all the technical elements of our business by themselves leading to a successful and remarkable result.
Giuseppe Amoroso from FI group did our R&D tax claim and successfully submitted on our behalf of OxDevice. Excellent team work in Submitting the claim.
