A project led by NUI Galway is one of 39 cutting-edge research projects that has been selected by the EIC Pathfinder scheme – which supports the exploration of bold ideas for radically new technologies – under the category of 'novel routes to green hydrogen production', and will receive €3.4m in funding. 

The commission selected 39 new projects under the 2021 EIC Pathfinder call for cutting edge research projects to achieve breakthroughs in five strategic areas.

The successful projects were chosen among 403 submitted eligible proposals and will receive up to €145m of EU funding (on average €3.7m per project).

This is the first time that EIC programme managers were directly involved in setting the challenges, and selecting portfolios of projects from among the best applications, and they will now pro-actively manage these portfolios to increase impact.

Mariya Gabriel, commissioner for innovation, research, culture, education and youth said: "Congratulations to all projects selected under the first EIC Pathfinder Challenges call.

"With the support of EIC programme managers, they will progress together towards common goals and create new opportunities for radical innovation. With the new mechanisms under the EIC, we have the means to support the whole value chain and to transform these innovative technologies into successful companies in Europe."

Five challenges

Most applicants come from universities and research organisations, with a significant participation of SMEs (about 20%). The applicants could submit their proposals in five challenges which are steered by EIC programme managers:

• Self-aware AI (Awareness inside)
• Tools to measure and stimulate activity in brain tissue
• Emerging technologies in cell and gene therapy
• Novel routes to green hydrogen production
• Engineered living materials

With each specific Challenge, the EIC will establish a portfolio of projects that explore different perspectives, competing approaches or complementary aspects of the Challenge. Selected projects will receive not only grants, but also access to tailored-made coaching under the EIC Business Acceleration Services and potential fast track access to the EIC Accelerator.

Next steps

Grant agreements for the selected projects are now being prepared and the projects will start in July 2022. Programme managers will work with selected projects to develop a common roadmap for implementation.

2022 EIC Pathfinder Challenges call, with new challenges, will open for applications on June 16 with a deadline of October 19, 2022, 5pm CET.