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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

This grant, part of the Batt4EU Partnership under Horizon Europe, aims to drive the integration of advanced materials and cell designs for high-performance, quasi-solid and all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (up to 5% liquid electrolyte weight percentage), specifically targeting mobility applications. The core objective is to support European battery cell manufacturers in transitioning to these next-generation battery technologies. Target Recipients and Scope

Target Recipient Type and Size: This opportunity targets European battery cell manufacturers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). While no specific organizational size is defined, the project scope and funding amount suggest a focus on organizations with significant research, development, and manufacturing capacity. It is SECTOR-SPECIFIC.
Geographic Scope: Funding is primarily available to entities in EU Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe, as defined in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Projects are strongly encouraged to use materials, products, and equipment sourced from these regions.
Key Filtering Criteria: Ideal applicants will be actively involved in the development and manufacturing of advanced lithium-ion batteries, with a focus on solid-state technologies for mobility. A clear plan for integrating innovations into existing production lines and a strategy for scalability and commercialization are crucial.
Grant Frequency and Program Context: This is a specific call (HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D2-04) within the broader, recurring Horizon Europe Work Programme (WP 2025). It implements the co-programmed European Partnership on Batteries (Batt4EU), indicating ongoing support for battery innovation within the EU.

Financial Structure

Funding Details

Budget Range: This specific topic has a total budget of 30,000,000 EUR. It is expected to fund 3 projects, with each project receiving a contribution of 10,000,000 EUR.
Minimum and Maximum Grant Amount: The grant amount per application is set at 10,000,000 EUR (both minimum and maximum contribution).
Currency: All amounts are in Euro (EUR).

Cost Categories

Eligible and Ineligible Costs: Specific eligible and ineligible cost categories are not detailed in the provided text but are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Model Grant Agreements (MGA). Typically, Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions cover direct costs (e.g., personnel, travel, equipment, consumables, other goods and services) and indirect costs.

Financial Obligations

Matching Fund/Co-financing Requirements: The funding rate and any mandatory co-financing requirements are not specified in the provided text. Applicants should consult the general conditions in the Work Programme General Annexes.
Financial Reporting and Audit: Financial reporting and audit requirements will be defined in the Model Grant Agreement. Projects funded under this topic are expected to report their results to the European Partnership on Batteries (Batt4EU) in support of monitoring its KPIs.
Financial Guarantees: Information on required financial guarantees is not specified here.

Eligibility Requirements

General Eligibility

Eligible Organization Types: The specific types of organizations are not explicitly detailed in the provided text. However, Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) typically accept a wide range of legal entities, including companies (from SMEs to large enterprises), research organizations, and universities. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may also participate as a member of the consortium selected for funding.
Geographic Location: Eligible countries are defined in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. This typically includes EU Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may also be eligible if specific funding provisions are in place for their participation.
Consortium Requirements: While not explicitly stated as mandatory, the scope of the project, the potential for JRC involvement, and the expectation to collaborate with a Coordination and Support Action (HORIZON-CL5-2025-D2-02-06) strongly imply that applications must be submitted by a consortium of multiple partners.
Organizational Capacity: The grant focuses on integrating innovations into existing production lines and aims for scaled production, implying that applicants should possess significant infrastructure and operational capacity in battery manufacturing or related fields.

Specific Technical Qualifications

Technological Focus: Projects must focus on quasi-solid and all-solid-state lithium-ion battery technologies, specifically those with up to 5% liquid electrolyte weight percentage, including Si-C composite anodes or lithium metal anodes.
Manufacturing Experience: Applicants need expertise in optimizing and testing specific critical processes within existing battery production lines. This is about enhancing current systems, not overhauling them entirely.

Exclusion Criteria

The grant is subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.

Application Process

Application Timeline

Submission System Opening: The submission system is planned to open on September 16, 2025.
Application Deadline: The final deadline for submitting proposals is January 20, 2026, at 00:00:00 UTC (midnight Brussels time).
Evaluation Period: An indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes, but not provided in this document.

Application Process

Procedure: This is a single-stage submission process.
Submission Format and Platform: Applications must be submitted through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal's Submission System using the standard application form for HE RIA, IA.

Required Documentation and Materials

Proposal Content: Proposals must adhere to page limits and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, and specifically in Part B of the Application Form.
Key Deliverables: The proposal should include:
- Detailed plans on how existing machinery and systems will be adapted for process optimization.
- An exploitation and dissemination plan that includes a strategy for developing, creating, manufacturing, and marketing a product or process, or providing a service. This plan should cover preliminary plans for scalability, commercialization, and deployment (e.g., a feasibility study, business plan).
- Procurement strategies detailing the place of production for materials, products, and equipment, demonstrating a preference for EU Member States and Associated Countries where possible.

Application Assistance

Support Availability: A range of support resources are available to applicants:
- Online Manual: Guides on procedures from proposal submission to grant management.
- Horizon Europe Programme Guide: Detailed guidance on the structure, budget, and political priorities of Horizon Europe.
- Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions.
- Research Enquiry Service: For general questions about European research.
- National Contact Points (NCPs): Provide guidance, practical information, and assistance in participating in Horizon Europe across various countries.
- Enterprise Europe Network (EEN): Offers advice to businesses, particularly SMEs, on EU research funding.
- IT Helpdesk: For technical issues related to the Funding & Tenders Portal.
- European IPR Helpdesk: Assistance on intellectual property issues.
- CEN-CENELEC and ETSI Research Helpdesks: Advise on standardisation in project proposals.
- Partner Search: Tools to help find partner organizations for proposals.

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation criteria, scoring, and thresholds are detailed in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. While the specific annex content is not provided here, Horizon Europe evaluations typically focus on three main pillars: 1. Excellence

Innovation Requirements: Proposals should demonstrate technological innovations such as new advanced materials, enhanced machinery adaptations, and the development of new process simulation methods. The integration of advanced control systems and digital technologies (e.g., data analytics, artificial intelligence) for process optimization is also expected. The focus is on high-performance solid-state batteries for mobility.
Quality Thresholds: Projects are expected to lead to significant improvements in production yield, quality, cost, and sustainability.

2. Impact

Social Impact Expectations: Contributing to the strengthening of the European battery ecosystem and ensuring European battery cell manufacturers and OEMs remain competitive.
Economic Impact: Driving the transition to high-performance battery technologies, potentially leading to job creation, economic growth, and market leadership in advanced battery manufacturing.
Environmental Impact: Focus on sustainability, including reductions in energy consumption during manufacturing processes.
Strategic Alignment: Projects must contribute to the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the Batt4EU Partnership.
Exploitation Potential: Proposals must include an exploitation and dissemination strategy, with preliminary plans for scalability, commercialization, and deployment (e.g., feasibility study, business plan).

3. Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation

Project Plan: Clarity and effectiveness of the proposed work plan, including detailed plans for machinery adaptation, implementation of technological innovations, and pilot testing validation.
Team and Consortium: The quality and complementarity of the project team and consortium members, their expertise, and how well they are equipped to carry out the proposed work.

Cross-Cutting Themes

While not explicitly listed as separate scoring factors, the grant's focus on digitalization (AI, data analytics) and sustainability (energy consumption reduction) are integral to the expected outcomes and will likely contribute positively to evaluation.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

General Compliance: All grants are subject to general conditions related to financial and operational capacity and exclusion (Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes) and the legal and financial set-up of the grants (Annex G).
EU Legal Framework: Projects must comply with the EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Horizon Europe Framework Programme 2021/695, and HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764 EU.
Specific Restrictions: Projects are explicitly subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.
Data Protection: Compliance with the Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement is required.

Intellectual Property (IP)

Policies: Intellectual property policies will be governed by the legal and financial set-up of the grants, as described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Model Grant Agreements (MGA).

Strategic and Operational Requirements

European Sourcing Priority: Projects are expected to use materials, products, and equipment produced in EU Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe. This is a strong preference, and deviations require demonstration that no valid option exists from these regions. Procurement strategies must be detailed in the proposal.
Collaboration Requirement: Projects are expected to collaborate and contribute to the activities of the Coordination and Support Action defined under the topic HORIZON-CL5-2025-D2-02-06. This implies a need for coordination and information exchange with a related support action.
Joint Research Centre (JRC) Involvement: The Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission may participate as a member of the consortium. Their potential contribution could involve experimental research on battery performance and/or safety. Applicants are encouraged to contact the JRC for more information on their possible involvement.
Sustainability Focus: The grant emphasizes improving production processes in terms of sustainability, including energy consumption.

Risk Management

While not explicitly detailed, the nature of Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) generally requires applicants to consider and mitigate potential project risks.

Grant Details

Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

Financial Structure

Eligibility Requirements

Application Process

Evaluation Criteria

Compliance & Special Requirements

Grant Details