EIT Climate-KIC
Pathfinder project application
for 2015 start
Innovation is the application of
new or more effective ideas, knowledge, technologies, processes, services
or products
to new, existing or latent market needs
1
Contents
Introduction to Pathfinder projects .......................................................................................................................... 3
Eligibility .................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Submission process ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Application form ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
Project essentials ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Project summary ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Partner information ................................................................................................................................................... 6
Confirmation of participation .................................................................................................................................... 6
Budget information ................................................................................................................................................... 7
Cost category distribution ......................................................................................................................................... 7
Partner budget distribution ....................................................................................................................................... 8
Proposal and project plan.......................................................................................................................................... 9
Key Performance Indicators and Deliverables. ....................................................................................................... 11
Potential KIC Complementary Activities (KCAs) ...................................................................................................... 12
Key project personnel.............................................................................................................................................. 12
Confidentiality ......................................................................................................................................................... 13
Annex I – Review criteria ......................................................................................................................................... 14
Annex II - KPI/Deliverable definitions and proof requirements .............................................................................. 17
Annex III - Climate mitigation examples .................................................................................................................. 19
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Introduction to Pathfinder projects
EIT Climate-KIC Innovation enables and accelerates the transition of knowledge and competencies to selfsustaining climate relevant economic activity. At the heart of this transition lies the innovation opportunity; the
opportunity for new and more effective solutions (products, processes, services, technologies, knowledge or
ideas) to be applied to address new, existing and latent (not currently acknowledged) market needs and new
requirements.
The premise of a Pathfinder is the belief or hypothesis that innovation opportunities exist in an identified area,
but first there are gaps that need to be addressed. For example, there could be ideas for innovative solutions
but it is not clear whether there is a market demand for these; otherwise, there are signs of unaddressed
market demand, but is not yet clear what innovation could best respond to these. The role of a Pathfinder
project is to confirm an innovation opportunity, to match the supply side discoveries and the demand-side
needs. In the case where an innovation opportunity is validated, a Climate-KIC Innovation Project may further
develop related self-sustaining economic activity.
In terms of the Climate-KIC Innovation Framework, the Pathfinder Project identifies the opportunity and the
Innovation Project either directly exploits the opportunity, or indirectly enables the transition of opportunities,
whether new or existing.
A video explaining the Framework is on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlicE_M-gHE, or, with a
hand-out, on the Climate-KIC Community Hub.
3
Eligibility
Only EIT Climate-KIC partners are eligible to submit Pathfinder project proposals. Organisations which are not
partners may participate in projects where the organisation:

Intends to support a project without requesting financing from Climate-KIC.

Is currently in the application process of becoming a KIC partner.

Is a subcontractor - please seek guidance from your local Innovation Lead.
Submission process
Please provide the information requested, following the sections as provided. It is recommended to liaise with
the relevant local Innovation Lead or Platform Manager prior to submitting an application, as they can support
you and guide you in the process. Please submit proposals in pdf and word format, by email to
innovation@Climate-KIC.org and copy your local Innovation Lead.
Innovation Leads
France
Daniel Ritti
daniel.ritti@climate-kic.org
Germany
Sira Saccani
sira.saccani@climate-kic.org
Netherlands
Tom Bakkum
tom.bakkum@climate-kic.org
Nordics
Mike Hatrick
mike@climate-kic-nordic.org
Regions
Arianna Cecchi
arianna.cecchi@climate-kic.org
Switzerland
Katherine Foster
katherine.foster@climate-kic.org
UK
Zsolt Gemesi
zsolt.gemesi@climate-kic.org
Adaptation Services
Tracy Irvine
tracy.irvine@climate-kic.org
Bio-economy
Tim Hohm
tim@climate-kic-nordic.org
Greenhouse Gas Measurement
Victor Gancel
victor.gancel@climate-kic.org
Industrial Symbiosis
Sira Saccani
sira.saccani@climate-kic.org
Land and Water Mgt and Engineering
Madeleine van Mansfeld
madeleine.vanmansfeld@climate-kic.org
Making Transitions Happen
Arianna Cecchi
arianna.cecchi@climate-kic.org
Sustainable City Systems
Maria Loloni
maria.loloni@climate-kic.org
Transforming Built Environment
Susann Görlinger
susann.goerlinger@climate-kic.org
Platform Managers
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Application form
Please complete all the sections and note that the entire documentation submitted should be less than 15
pages, any more pages will not be considered unless agreed in advance with the local Innovation Lead.
Project essentials
Please complete the following table.
Project name
Acronym/short name
Challenge Platform(s)
Expected project duration
Start date dd/mm/yyyy
Finish date
Lead partner (institution)
Project Lead (name, email)
Total EIT request, Euro (a)
Partner co-funding, Euro (b)
Total KIC Added Value Activities
(KAVA), Euro (a)+(b)
KIC Complementary finance (KCA),
Euro
Project summary
The summary of the project should capture its essence, what the challenge is, how the project addresses it, and
what impact it sets out to achieve. As this summary is used in the project portfolio database, the maximum
number of words is 250 and therefore additional words will be deleted.
5
Partner information
Please complete the following table.
Organisation
Contact person
Email
Role
Short summary of
responsibilities
KIC Partners
Non-KIC Partners
Confirmation of participation
An original signature is required from the authorised representative of the Lead Partner and EIT Climate-KIC
assumes that all project participants have been advised and have consented to the terms of this form and that
this single Lead Partner acts as duly authorised agent of the others during the proposal submission and review
process.
Signature of Lead Partner and date
------------------------------------------------------Name in CAPITALS
-------------------------------------------------------
6
Budget information
Between 10 and 100K€ is available per project as Climate-KIC finance and the rest as co-funding from Partners. .
The minimum amount of co-funding sought is 25% of the total project budget. If project Partners cannot
provide that minimum then please explain why as a note with the budget breakdown table. The level of cofunding provided is not used as a decision criterion in the review process.
For further information please refer to the EIT financial guide which can be provided by your local Innovation
Lead or is available on the Community Hub, and your local Innovation Lead can support you with queries.
All costs in Euros.
Cost category distribution
Please complete the following table.
Project total
Climate-KIC
Partner
cost
finance request
co-funding
Cost category
2015
2016
2015
2016
Salaries
Travel and subsistence
Equipment/
infrastructure
Subcontracting
Subgranting
Other unspecified
Indirect costs
25% of total eligible
direct costs (excluding
subcontracting and
sub-granting costs).
Total
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Comments and assumptions
2015
2016
2015
2016
Partner budget distribution
Please complete the following table.
Partner
Project total cost
2015
2016
Climate-KIC finance
Partner
request
co-funding
2015
2016
2015
2016
Comments and assumptions
2015
2016
Partner 1
Partner 2
Partner 3
Partner 4
Project Total
Please provide information about additional sources of finance, if applicable, as well as any strategies to acquire
such, during the project’s duration.
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Proposal and project plan
Proposal
Pathfinders can start from either the supply or the demand side, and their role is to connect to the other side, in
order to confirm an innovation opportunity.
The proposal must convey why the project team believes
innovation opportunities exist, and the activities during the project should:

Substantiate both the supply side discoveries – (new knowledge, technology etc.) and demand side
needs of the potential innovations (a challenge, barrier, problem etc.).

As a result of the above, confirm or not, the existence of a clearly defined innovation opportunity.
A list of criteria, taken into account during the review process, is included in Annex I. It is important that all
criteria are addressed in the proposal and essential that proposed outputs contribute to KPI/Deliverable
requirements (see Annex II) and have clear ownership per partner.
Project plan
Please include a project plan including a Gantt chart, detailing the responsibilities and roles of each Partner.
Please note Climate-KIC requirements during project implementation:

Progress updates - Innovation Leads require a quarterly update on progress in terms of spend, performance
and progress against KPIs and Deliverables. It is recommended that SWOT and PESTE analyses are
maintained throughout the life of the project.

EIT cost and performance report – January 2016

Final meeting and final report - Each Pathfinder concludes with a meeting of project stakeholders and
Climate-KIC representatives. Knowledge developed by the project is captured in a final report which
includes details of whether or not the Pathfinder has identified an innovation opportunity.
Irrespective of the confirmation of the anticipated Innovation Opportunities, the activities and deliverables
proposed should ensure that the knowledge developed from the project is valuable.
Clear and easy to understand proposals and plans assist the reviewers in the decision making process.
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Potential climate impact
Step 1 - Describe how the proposed project reduces (mitigates) or adapts to GHG emissions
Mitigation
Describe what the project sets out to achieve and how it will potentially contribute to reducing GHG emission
reductions. Compare this to the baseline scenario, i.e. what is expected to happen in the absence of a
successful mitigation action in that area.
Adaptation
Describe how the project aims to improve the situation in the area impacted by climate change. Compare this
to the baseline scenario, i.e. what is expected to happen in the absence of a successful adaptation action in that
area.
Step 2 - Indicate the main GHG sources that will be reduced by the project
Indicate the main GHGs that will be reduced by the proposed project and briefly describe their sources, i.e.
where they are generated (see Annex III for examples).
Please complete the following table:
Sources of GHG impacted by the measure
Targeted GHG
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GHG mitigation measure(s) that result from
the Climate-KIC project’s implementation
Key Performance Indicators and Deliverables.
Please complete the following table describing targeted KPIs and Deliverables. Guidance in Annex II.
Category
Type
Proposed evidence of achievement
Progress KPIs
Knowledge adoption
Knowledge transfer
agreement
Capital attracted to
sustain outcomes
Outcome KPIs
most appropriate to Innovation projects, but Pathfinders may achieve them in some circumstances
New or improved
products/ services
New start-ups
Policies/ standards
implemented
Deliverables
Publications
Demonstrators
Reports
Other
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Potential KIC Complementary Activities (KCAs)
Complementary activities are related to the Climate-KIC funded project and complement the activity. They
must take place in the same year as the project and be funded separately from the Climate-KIC funded project.
Please refer to document Registering Climate-KIC Complementary Activities for BP 2014, available from your
local Innovation Lead or stored on the Community Hub.
Please complete the following table.
Partner
Activity
Value (KEuro)
Description
Key project personnel
Please present profiles (100-150 words) of key individuals involved with the project with an emphasis on those
attributes, competencies and experience that are likely to contribute to success, e.g.

Leadership in the area of the discovery(ies)

Understanding of the intended market(s)

Past success in innovation

Entrepreneurial achievements and aspirations
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Confidentiality
All Climate-KIC staff members, reviewers and platform team members have signed a non-disclosure agreement
and EIT Climate-KIC controls access to project documents at both review and implementation stages. In order to
facilitate match-making, Climate-KIC prefers to share project materials as widely as possible within the
community and it is possible to restrict access to the full proposal in 2 cases that are marked bold in the below
table. If there are further questions, please discuss with respective Innovation Leads.
Project
Access levels
summary
Proposal
During review process
Relevant staff
yes
yes
Reviewers
yes
yes
Platform team members
yes
yes/no
mainly Innovation Team and Executive Team, Platform
Facilitators
thematic experts from KIC partners
During implementation (after proposal accepted)
Flyer produced with project
participants’ agreement and
support
Relevant staff
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Climate-KIC partners (on request)
yes
yes/no
yes
Wider public
yes
no
yes
Innovation Team, Executive Team, Platform Facilitators
Platform team members of the relevant platforms
Thematic experts from KIC partners
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Annex I – Review criteria
Criteria
Explanation
Demand-side needs – what new, existing or latent needs will form the basis of the innovation opportunity.
Market demand is necessary for the creation of self-sustaining economic activity. Climate-KIC interprets demand as the demonstrated
willingness of stakeholders to purchase a product or service, or commit to implementing change by use of the products/services of the project.
Demand needs to be clarified, so that a solution can be identified and matched by a potential product/service. The proposal must clearly
Demand
identified
and/or
addressed
identify the demand (in the case of a demand driven Pathfinder), or outline the activities within the Pathfinder that aim to identify the demand
(in the case of a discovery driven Pathfinder).
Interpretations of demand include:



Legislation to limit CO2 is not in itself considered to be demand, as there is no economic contribution from the policymakers. Whereas the
stakeholders that are implementing, or are impacted by policy and are looking for solutions to it, are considered to be demand as they can
purchase the product or service being developed by the Pathfinder project.
A new public policy is targeted as the innovation, where the demand comes from the political/governmental establishment that will
implement (in effect pay for) the policy.
New knowledge that changes business behaviour, where the demand comes from the corporates who will implement (in effect pay for)
communications programmes.
Supply-side discoveries – what new or existing discoveries will form the basis of the innovation opportunity, or will need to be identified.
The proposal must explain the ability of the innovation to fulfil or enable identified demand which had previously not been met or met less
Innovation effectively. It must convey what is new or more effective in the ideas, knowledge, technologies, processes, services or products. As well as
potential innovations identified by partners, this may be the result of combining existing innovations to be more effective together, or combining a new
innovation that enables an existing innovation to scale up. If the discovery has not been identified (in the case of demand driven Pathfinder), the
proposal must outline the activities within the Pathfinder that will stimulate and select the best ideas, knowledge, technologies, process, services
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or products that address the demand.
These activities could include:






Desk research to drive insights
Assessing similar/related innovation challenges to look for crossover
Workshops brokering demand and supply side stakeholders
Community engagement
Open innovation events
Innovation competitions
Quality of The plan must explain how the Pathfinder objectives will be achieved, namely the identification and possible validation of an innovation
the plan opportunity. Good project management is required, with defined milestones and detail on the structuring of work within the project; how
progress will be made and measured, including deliverables and KPIs targeted throughout the project. Plans should allow for flexibility, as
projects may evolve during project implementation, due to their exploratory nature.



Consideration should be given to how the plan will consolidate and apply knowledge developed by the project.
Please indicate any activities or work packages in the plan not financed by Climate-KIC.
Please provide any assumptions, including the rationale for why some work packages may be particularly large or different, and any
significant risks associated with the estimated budget, or areas/amounts that are variable.
Strategic fit Climate-KIC prioritises those projects which fit its strategic thematic areas, driven by the 8 Platforms. Please check the strategic priorities for this
call with Platform Managers or refer to Community HUB for an overview: http://www.communityhub.Climate-KIC.org/section/innovation-pillar/
Value for Value for Money will be judged on a number of factors, including:
money 



How well the proposed activities are focused on an impactful project outcome.
How appropriate the scale of the activities is compared to the anticipated benefit/importance of the activities.
How well the partnership is suited to the activities described and is the number of partners optimised.
How many complementary activities are leveraged to kick-start the Pathfinder project.
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Climate Annex III indicates how to explain the impact of the project in terms of climate mitigation (target GHG emissions saved) and adaptation (assets
relevance protected).
Project Potential outputs intended for the project should be detailed, for example:
outputs 







Market/stakeholder analysis.
Assessment of competition (market benchmarking).
Identified risks and barriers to success.
Insights, primary/secondary research or experimental evidence of the demand and solution.
Clearly articulated innovation opportunity and nature of the solution (knowledge, service, product, policy etc.) that addresses market needs.
Model demonstrating viability of self-sustaining outcome (including the scaling-up of the innovation).
Knowledge and competencies required to exploit the innovation opportunity.
Opportunities to attract investment in the exploitation of an innovation opportunity. In particular, evidence of co-finance that can be
secured for any subsequent Innovation Project.
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Annex II - KPI/Deliverable definitions and proof requirements
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Deliverables are how Climate-KIC measures its overall performance. In January 2016, a 2-4 page performance
report on 2015 project results is required - KPIs/Deliverables and a cost report per partner. There are 2 types of KPIs, progress and outcome.
Pathfinders are projects of an exploratory nature and constitute a pre-stage to the exploitation of innovation opportunities and, in this respect,
outcome KPIs are mainly achieved by Innovation projects. Pathfinders are expected, however, just as Innovation projects, to target the delivery of
Progress KPIs and Deliverables. Evidence of KPI achievement must comply with the below definitions, according to EU finance rules.
Evidence of achievement (delivered in reporting period)
Definitions
Progress KPIs

Signed statement by KIC partner indicating how they adopted the knowledge
outputs of KIC activity.
Knowledge transfer takes place if a KIC Partner sells created

Transfer agreement; OR
knowledge assets – e.g. patent, trademark, expertise, copyright - to a

Document that defines originator (Climate-KIC partner), recipient, knowledge
transfered, and conditions of transfer transaction.
Knowledge adoption takes place when Climate-KIC project partners
Knowledge
create knowledge - e.g. patent, trademark, expertise, copyright - and
adoption
use it for their own purposes external to the KIC activity on which
the Partners cooperated.
Knowledge
transfer
agreement
Climate-KIC partner or third party for cash or in-kind contribution.
Example: study or consultancy service performed by a KIC partner for
another KIC Partner or third party.
Capital
attracted to
sustain
outcomes
Amount of non-KIC capital – e.g. venture capital, investor, other public
finance - attracted for further development of Climate-KIC activity,
and development when KIC finance ends.
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Evidence for new capital attracted in current reporting year - e.g. official
confirmation by capital providing party.
Outcome KPIs - most appropriate to Innovation projects, but Pathfinders may achieve them in some circumstances.
New or

Product/service created and/or developed, and
commercialised, in the course of KIC activity; OR
Proof of commercialisation.


Invoice; OR
Product/service improved considerably in the course of a new
KIC activity, that has taken place in the reporting year, e.g.
new project functionality added, improved material.

Contract with customer.

Copy of start-up incorporation/registration in Europe, e.g. registration
document from Chamber of Commerce; AND

Evidence of active operation in the reporting year, e.g. first customer with
contract, investor with letter of intent; AND

Agreement between the Climate-KIC and the start-up confirming that the startup results from the project funded by the KIC.
improved
products/
services
A new start-up can be acknowledged if:
New start-ups

it results from a KIC activity; AND

has commercialised a product/service in the reporting year.
Policies/
Policies and standards developed with support of Climate-KIC and
standards
adopted/ implemented by a public authority or industry
implemented
organisation.
Signed statement by policy/standard implementing party, confirming:

benefit of policy/standard – how it improved previous practices; AND

role of KIC project in developing policy standard in question; AND

reference to policy/standard implemented.
Deliverables
Publication
Demonstrators
Reports
Publications that result from knowledge developed due to
Publication in PDF format, or a link to the publication, if available online.
Climate-KIC activity.
Demonstration site equipped or prototype developed.
Description including photo or visuals of demonstration site/prototype.
Reports resulting from finalisation of a project task, work
Copy of report, or link if available online.
package, project stage - e.g. feasibility study, market analysis,
final report.
Please add any more deliverables, e.g. a database, software, a draft policy, a communication doc (e.g. video…)
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Annex III - Climate mitigation examples
Step 2 - Indicate the main GHG sources that will be reduced by the project
Sources of GHG impacted by the measure
Targeted GHG
GHG mitigation measure(s) that result from the KIC project’s
implementation
Combustion of fossil fuels during transportation with planes
and lorries.
CO2
Reduced transportation emissions enabled by advanced low carbon transport
planner.
Combustion of natural gas
CO2
Introduction of combined heat and power generators.
Emissions related to the production and transportation of
fertilizer. Emissions linked to fertiliser application.
CO2, N2O
Reduced fertilizer requirement enabled by low carbon fertiliser management
tool.
Emissions related to the production and transportation of
pesticides and fungicides.
CO2
Biological pest control.
Emissions occurring during the treatment of sewage water.
CO2, CH4, N2O
Improved water recycling.
Combustion of fossil fuels during car pick up of groceries.
CO2
Home delivery of groceries.
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