The total indicative budget for the EIC Pathfinder Challenges 2025 call is EUR 120 million, and it is expected to be approximately equally divided across the defined Challenges (e.g., biotechnologies, AI, robotics, waste-to-value). Thus, each thematic Challenge may fund around 6 to 8 projects, assuming equal distribution. Therefore, 6-8 for Biotechnology for Climate Resilient Crops and Plant-Based Biomanufacturing.

The EIC Pathfinder Challenges are fully funded by the European Union, managed under Horizon Europe by the European Commission and its executive agency EISMEA (The European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency), with implementing support from appointed EIC Programme Managers. Feedback, including final scores and endorsements, is provided in the Evaluation Summary Report within 5 months of the submission deadline. 

If selected, successful applicants receive a letter confirming their retention for funding, and communications proceed towards preparing the grant agreement, which is expected to be signed approximately 8 months after the call deadline (also indicative).

The EIC Pathfinder Challenges support advanced research and innovation at early TRLs (1-4) aimed at scientific and technological breakthrough development, rather than later stages such as scale-up, product development, or market access.