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Grant Details

Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

To accelerate the deployment of net-zero technologies through smart integration in energy intensive industries, fostering collaboration across the value chain to enhance European competitiveness and decarbonisation. - Target recipient type and size: 'Legal entities' are eligible, implying businesses (SME, Enterprise), research organisations, and potentially public bodies in consortia. Focus on 'manufacturers of net-zero technology solutions', 'energy intensive industries', 'engineering and construction firms'. - SECTOR-SPECIFIC: Energy Intensive Industries, Manufacturing, Energy, Environment. - Geographic scope and any location requirements: European Union Member States and Associated Countries. Legal entities established in China are explicitly excluded. - Key filtering criteria for initial grant screening: Projects must focus on smart integration of net-zero technologies in energy-intensive industries, require collaborative efforts (consortia), demonstrate readiness for deployment (TRLs 6-7), and present a strong business and exploitation strategy. - Grant frequency and program context: This is a single-stage call within the Horizon Europe Framework Programme, specifically under Cluster 4 (Digital, Industry and Space) Work Programme 2025. It aligns with the EU's twin green and digital transition goals for industrial leadership.

Financial Structure

  • Budget: The total indicative budget for this specific topic is 25000000.0 EUR.
  • Minimum Grant Amount: Individual grants are expected to be at least 5000000.0 EUR.
  • Maximum Grant Amount: Individual grants are expected to be up to 9000000.0 EUR.
  • Currency: EUR.
  • Funding Rate: None specified in the provided grant details; typically defined in Horizon Europe General Annexes.
  • Eligible and Ineligible Costs: Details are generally provided in 'Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes'.
  • Financial Reporting Requirements: Described in 'Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes'.
  • Financial Guarantees: Specific requirements for financial guarantees are outlined in 'Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes'.

Eligibility Requirements

Organization Type
  • 'Legal entities' are eligible, encompassing a broad range of organisation types including 'SME', 'ENTERPRISE', 'UNIVERSITY', 'PUBLIC' research organisations, and 'OTHER' relevant entities.
  • 'Consortium' is required: Proposals 'should involve all actors in the value chain from the manufacturers of net zero technology solutions to energy intensive industries and engineering and construction firms'.
  • Exclusion: 'Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in Innovation Actions in any capacity'.
Geographic Location
  • Applicants must be established in countries described in 'Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes'. This typically includes all European Union Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe.
  • Explicit exclusion: China.
Project Type
  • Action Type: 'HORIZON Innovation Actions' (IA).
  • Projects must focus on the smart integration of net-zero technologies.
  • Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) targeted are 6 and 7, requiring demonstration activities beyond pure research.
Financial & Operational Capacity
  • Applicants must meet 'financial and operational capacity' requirements, as described in 'Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes'.
Track Record and Experience
  • A credible 'exploitation strategy' is an essential component. Management of the involved companies must be able to back the proposed business case and exploitation strategy.

Application Process

Application Timeline
  • Call opening date: 2025-05-22.
  • Submission deadline: 2025-09-23 00:00:00+0000.
  • Evaluation and grant agreement timelines: Described in 'Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes'.
Submission Process
  • Applications follow a 'single-stage' submission procedure.
  • Proposals must be submitted via the 'Electronic Submission Service' on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
  • The application form specific to this call ('Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)') is available within the Submission System.
Required Documentation
  • Complete 'Part B of the Application Form'.
  • A comprehensive 'business case and exploitation strategy' is mandatory.
  • The project output should include an 'elaborated exploitation plan', detailing preliminary plans for scalability, commercialisation, and deployment (including a feasibility study, business plan, and financial model).
  • Applicants should indicate possible private and public funding sources (e.g., Innovation Fund, InvestEU, cohesion policy funds) for future stages.
  • Where relevant, 'training material' for workers to develop necessary skillsets should be developed, tested, and designed for scalability, with potential for up-scaling through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).
Support and Guidance
  • Extensive support is available through the 'Online Manual', 'Horizon Europe Programme Guide', 'Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ', 'Research Enquiry Service', 'National Contact Points (NCPs)', 'Enterprise Europe Network', 'IT Helpdesk', 'European IPR Helpdesk', 'CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk', 'ETSI Research Helpdesk', and the 'Partner Search' tool.

Evaluation Criteria

Award Criteria
  • The detailed 'award criteria, scoring and thresholds' are described in 'Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes'.
Impact
  • The 'business case' and 'credible initial exploitation strategy' are identified as 'decisive factors' for the impact criterion.
  • Expected outcomes should include: enhanced market opportunities for participants, deployment in the EU (short to medium term), and a clear description of targeted markets, estimated market size (EU and globally), and user/customer needs.
  • Solutions must effectively match market and user needs in a cost-effective manner, demonstrating a strong market position and competitive advantage.
  • For TRLs 6 and 7, a credible strategy for 'future full-scale deployment' in the EU is expected, outlining the industrial partners' intentions post-project.
  • Proposals should detail the 'societal- and environmental impact', including implications for the workplace (skills and organisational changes).
  • Emphasis on 'dissemination and replication' of proposed approaches for wide deployment, including advising and capacity building among relevant actors.
  • Projects require a sound 'techno-economic analysis' confirming economic viability, considering evolving regulatory frameworks.
  • It is recommended to include a 'GHG avoidance methodology' (e.g., one that could follow the Innovation Fund methodology).
Cross-Cutting Themes
  • 'Human dimension' (including gender differences) should be addressed, aligning with the Industry 5.0 paradigm.
  • Projects should contribute to 'sustainability' goals, focusing on decarbonisation, circular economy, and resource efficiency.
  • Integration of 'digital technologies' (such as AI, robotics, photonics, and digital twins) is expected to transform practices.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance
  • Projects must align with the objectives of the 'Net-Zero Industry Act' and the 'Green Deal Industrial Plan'.
  • Compliance with 'EU ETS Directive 2003/87/EC' principles is required for greenhouse gas emission calculations.
  • Adherence to 'REDII Directive (EU) 2018/2001' is relevant if the project involves biofuels.
  • General regulatory compliance requirements are outlined in 'Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes'.
Environmental and Ethical Standards
  • Strong emphasis on achieving 'climate-neutrality', fostering the 'circular economy', and improving 'resource efficiency'.
  • Projects should address 'GHG emissions' and are recommended to include a 'GHG avoidance methodology'.
  • The 'human dimension' (including gender differences) and ethical considerations are important, aligning with the Industry 5.0 paradigm.
Technical Specifications & IP
  • Focus on 'net-zero technologies' (as defined in the Net-Zero Industry Act, Annex I), and 'digital technologies' such as big data, advanced computing, networking, AI, robotics, photonics, industrial virtual worlds, and digital twins.
  • 'Interoperability and secure and trusted data sharing' among value chain stakeholders is a key technical requirement.
  • Intellectual property (IP) policies are governed by 'Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes'.
Unique Aspects
  • This topic directly implements the co-programmed European partnerships: 'Processes4Planet' and 'Made in Europe'.
  • A primary objective is to facilitate 'co-creation' between equipment manufacturers and energy-intensive industries.
  • Proposals should demonstrate approaches that move from 'custom-built' solutions to more 'streamlined, standardised, yet flexible' industrial solutions.
  • Skills development for the workforce to support the adoption of new technologies is a cross-cutting priority.

Grant Details

manufacturing energy intensive industry industrial decarbonisation climate neutrality green transition twin transition circular economy resource efficiency industrial transformation value chains net-zero technology digital technology ai robotics photonics digital twins hydrogen low-carbon grants innovation actions eu funding horizon europe europe european union eu member states sustainability skills job creation industrial symbiosis
Smart integration of net zero technologies into Energy Intensive industries (Processes4Planet and Made in Europe partnerships) (IA)
48400412TOPICSen
Horizon Europe
SME ENTERPRISE UNIVERSITY PUBLIC OTHER
AT BE BG HR CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE NO IS UK
MANUFACTURING ENERGY ENVIRONMENT TECHNOLOGY
DEVELOPMENT EARLY_MARKET GROWTH
OTHER
SDG7 SDG8 SDG9 SDG12 SDG13
FUNDING RESEARCH_DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION_COMMERCIALIZATION CAPACITY_BUILDING PILOT_PROJECTS NETWORKING
25000000.00
5000000.00
9000000.00
EUR
None
Sept. 23, 2025, midnight
None