EIC Pathfinder Challenge on Biotechnology for Healthy Ageing launched
In November 2025, the European Innovation Council (EIC) launched a new Pathfinder Challenge on Biotechnology for Healthy Ageing under the EIC Work Programme 2026.
The Challenge supports high-risk, high-impact research with Proof-of-Concept (PoC) activities in one of three areas:
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Innovative biotechnology-based or pharmaceutical interventions to prevent, delay or reverse specific age-related diseases;
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Biomarker-based tools enabling the responsible deployment of ageing-related interventions;
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New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) that go beyond the current state of the art to support the future development of healthy ageing interventions.
NAMs are recognised as promising alternatives to animal testing in the non-clinical development of medicines. Eligible approaches may include human organoids, microphysiological systems (e.g. organ-on-chip), in chemico methods, digital twins, virtual patient simulations, AI-enhanced predictive models, advanced in-silico platforms, and 3D human tissue models.
The call is open to single applicants or consortia.
The submission deadline is 28 October 2026 at 17:00 (Brussels time).
More details are available in the EIC Work Programme 2026.
