An EU Moonshot to Solve Aging: How to Win €4M in Longevity Funding
A free online info session on the EIC Pathfinder Challenge: Biotechnology for Healthy Ageing
📄 The specific call we'll cover: Biotechnology for Healthy Ageing
The short version
The EU is funding breakthrough science to tackle ageing itself — with grants of up to €4 million per project at a 100% funding rate. The deadline is 28 October 2026, and you can apply as a single company, a small team, or a consortium.
In this session we'll explain the entire grant call in detail: the money, the deadlines, who's eligible, what the EU actually wants to fund, and how to give yourself the best shot. Bring your questions.
What is this event?
This is a free, online information session dedicated to the EIC Pathfinder Challenge: Biotechnology for Healthy Ageing — one of the most significant pots of non-dilutive funding for longevity science in Europe right now.
Our goal is simple: to make sure you fully understand this opportunity. We'll cut through the 190-page work programme and walk through the parts that actually matter — the money, the deadlines, the eligibility rules, what the EU wants to fund, and the pitfalls that sink applications. Then we'll open the floor for your questions.
No prior EU-grant experience needed. Whether you're a researcher with a proof-of-concept, a startup founder, or part of a biotech team, you'll leave knowing whether this is worth your time — and how to start.
The grant, in 5 points
How big: Up to €4 million per project (you can request more if well justified), funded at 100% of eligible costs as a lump sum. The total budget across the three 2026 Pathfinder Challenges is €96M; the Biotechnology for Healthy Ageing share is roughly ~€30 million (our estimate — the budget is split across the challenges).
Deadline: 28 October 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. Applications go through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Results come ~5 months after; grant signed ~8 months after.
Who can apply: Single companies (SMEs, startups, spin-offs), universities, research organisations, even individuals — or consortia. Note: as a single applicant, mid-caps and large companies are not eligible; they'd need a consortium. Consortia must span at least two different EU Member/Associated States.
What they fund: Early-stage, high-risk science aiming for proof-of-concept (TRL 2 → 3/4). Projects should target one of three areas: (1) a biotech/pharma intervention that prevents, delays or reverses an age-related disease; (2) a biomarker-based tool to guide ageing interventions; or (3) a New Approach Methodology (NAM) — e.g. organoids, organ-on-chip, in-silico models — to replace animal testing.
Project length & extras: Projects are expected to run ~5 years. Funded teams also get access to EIC Business Acceleration Services, booster grants (up to €50k), and fast-track routes to further EIC funding.
Out of scope, so don't apply with these: precision nutrition, new ageing clocks, wellness apps, and pure biomarker discovery.
Why we're hosting this
We think this is one of the best-kept secrets in European longevity funding — and we want more strong teams to apply. Too much good science never gets funded simply because people don't know the opportunity exists or find the EU process intimidating. This session is our attempt to fix that.
Your hosts
Linus Petersson — Founder of the Swedish Longevity Cluster, author of Medicines Against Aging, pharma consultant and longevity community builder based in Stockholm.
Stefania Schino — Income Generation and Partnership Manager at Oxford University Hospital, based in Oxford, with extensive experience in grant writing across Horizon Europe programmes.
What you'll leave with
A clear picture of whether you're eligible and whether your idea fits the scope
The key dates, numbers, and rules — without reading 190 pages
A sense of what a competitive application looks like
Answers to your specific questions in the live Q&A
Official links
The specific call — Biotechnology for Healthy Ageing: https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder/eic-pathfinder-challenges-2026_en#biotechnology-for-healthy-ageing
EIC Pathfinder Challenges 2026 (overview): https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder/eic-pathfinder-challenges-2026_en#eic-work-programme-2026
Full EIC Work Programme 2026 (PDF): https://eic.ec.europa.eu/document/download/52598755-1351-4b54-b46b-e2682d0a3aec_en?filename=EIC-Work-Programme-2026.pdf
This session is independent and informational. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the European Innovation Council or the European Commission. Always refer to the official EIC Work Programme and Challenge Guide for binding details.