In 2021, the European Innovation Council (EIC) introduced Programme Managers who are appointed full-time for up to 4 years and possess deep expertise in their field. They identify EU strategic priorities for emerging technologies and disruptive innovations, and launch so-called “Challenge” calls.
Proposals submitted to the Challenge calls are chosen based on a “portfolio approach". In a first step, each proposal is evaluated on its merits. In a second step, the Evaluation Committee curates a strategic portfolio of proposals that best fit together to address the current challenge. This selection process follows guidelines outlined by the Programme Manager in the “Challenge Guide”. Proposals are grouped into categories to ensure a diverse and balanced portfolio, with funding allocated to the combination of projects that collectively drive the Challenge’s objectives forward.
Projects selected as part of a Challenge portfolio are overseen by the Programme Manager, and are expected to collaborate, adapt to emerging developments, and exchange insights with both fellow researchers and the wider scientific and industrial community. By working together toward shared goals, this approach aims to create opportunities for groundbreaking innovation.
The portfolio approach has a key advantage: It not only considers the strengths of individual proposals but also takes into account their interconnections. This ensures a balanced mix of complementary projects, manages risk, and supports broader objectives like inclusivity and sustainability. It also provides a structured, transparent and impact-driven way of allocating research funding. The running portfolios are outline here.
The next EIC Challenge call that selects projects according to the portfolio approach are the Pathfinder Challenges with a deadline on 29 October 2025.
Author: Cornelia Spycher, National Contact Point for EIC Pathfinder and EIC TransitionIllustration: Alexandra Rosakis
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