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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

This grant aims to support the development and demonstration of real-time monitoring solutions for regulated and non-regulated emissions from all types of vessels and other port activities. The core objective is to enable the enforcement of emission limits in waterfront cities, contributing to cleaner air and environmental protection. This is a SECTOR-SPECIFIC grant primarily targeting the maritime, transportation, and environmental technology sectors. The target recipients are organizations capable of developing and demonstrating innovative solutions in real operational environments, likely involving consortia of technology providers, port authorities, and research institutions. Geographically, the grant focuses on EU waterfront cities and TEN-T ports, requiring demonstration activities across at least six distinct ports located in diverse European sea basins. A key filtering criterion is the ability to conduct demonstrations in a real operational environment and to formally collaborate with the European Cities Mission Platform.

Financial Structure

Funding Amounts

Total Budget for this Specific Topic (HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D5-17): EUR 16,000,000.
Grant Amount per Project: Successful projects are expected to receive a maximum contribution of EUR 8,000,000 each.
Number of Expected Grants: The program aims to fund two projects under this topic.

Currency All financial figures are in Euros (EUR). Funding Rate & Co-financing While not explicitly stated in the provided text, as a Horizon Europe 'Innovation Action' (IA), the typical funding rate is: * 70% of eligible costs for for-profit legal entities. * 100% of eligible costs for non-profit legal entities (e.g., universities, research organizations, public bodies, NGOs). This means that for-profit participants are generally expected to contribute a minimum of 30% of the project's total eligible costs as co-financing or matching funds. The definitive rules regarding eligible and ineligible costs, as well as specific co-financing requirements, are detailed in 'Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes' and the 'EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509', which applicants should consult. Financial Reporting & Audit Specific financial reporting and audit requirements are outlined in the Model Grant Agreement (MGA) and 'Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes'. These documents typically detail periodic and final financial reports, as well as audit provisions to ensure proper use of funds.

Eligibility Requirements

General Eligibility As an 'Innovation Action' under Horizon Europe, this grant is typically open to legal entities of all types established in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. This generally includes businesses (SMEs and large enterprises), research organizations, universities, public bodies, and non-governmental organizations. Geographic Requirements

Demonstration activities must take place in at least six different TEN-T ports (3 Core, 3 Comprehensive) covering at least three of the following sea basins: Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, North Atlantic, and Baltic Sea.
At least one of the selected ports must be situated in a city participating in the 'Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission'.
Activities should encompass coastal areas, open seas, and inland waterways.

Project-Specific Qualifications

Projects must involve the real-time demonstration of on-board and remote measurement techniques for a wide range of pollutants from vessel emissions, including those from alternative fuels and non-regulated pollutants.
Expertise in developing harmonized methods for measuring real sailing emissions is required.
Capacity to develop automatic reporting and verification system solutions for compliance monitoring.
Ability to implement innovative technologies for monitoring, measuring, and identifying pollution sources beyond vessels within port areas (e.g., other transport modes, port operations, industries).

Partnership & Collaboration

Collaboration with the Cities Mission Platform is essential. Proposing entities must include provisions and resources for this collaboration in their work plan.
This collaboration must be formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concluded as soon as possible after the project's start date.
Given the scope and demonstration requirements across multiple ports, a consortium approach involving diverse partners (e.g., technology developers, port authorities, research institutions, urban planning bodies) is implicitly required and highly beneficial.

Technical Requirements

Demonstrated technical expertise in developing, deploying, and validating sensor technologies for various air pollutants (e.g., NOx, BC, N2O, UFP, NH3, CH4, PM, PN, NMVOC).
Capability for data collection, processing, and analysis, ensuring data quality, accuracy, and verifiability.
Ability to address cybersecurity concerns for interoperable systems.
Demonstration must occur within a 'real operational environment'.

Exclusion Criteria Specific exclusion criteria are described in 'Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes', which is not provided in the supplied grant information. Applicants should consult the full work programme documents for these details.

Application Process

Application Process & Timeline

Submission System Opening Date: The submission system for proposals is planned to open on September 16, 2025.
Application Deadline: The deadline for submitting proposals is January 20, 2026, at 00:00:00 UTC.
Submission Procedure: This call follows a single-stage submission process, meaning only one proposal submission is required.

Required Documentation & Materials

Proposal Page Limit: The application has a strict page limit of 70 pages.
Application Form: A standard application form, specific to this call (HE RIA, IA), is available in the Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System. Applicants must complete 'Part B' of this form.
Supporting Materials: Specific supporting materials will be outlined in the application form template. Given the nature of an Innovation Action, detailed descriptions of demonstration activities, technical specifications, and consortium agreements will likely be required.

Evaluation & Selection

Review Process: The evaluation process is described in 'Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes' and the 'Online Manual'.
Evaluation Forms: Standard evaluation forms (HE RIA, IA) will be used with necessary adaptations.
Indicative Timeline: An indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is provided in 'Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes'.

Support for Applicants The European Commission provides extensive support for potential applicants: * Online Manual: A comprehensive guide covering 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 on submission, evaluation, and grant management. * Research Enquiry Service: For general questions about European research and EU Research Framework Programmes. * National Contact Points (NCPs): Guidance, practical information, and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe, available in EU and many non-EU countries. * Enterprise Europe Network (EEN): Advice for businesses, especially SMEs, including guidance on EU research funding. * IT Helpdesk: For technical questions related to the Funding & Tenders Portal (e.g., passwords, access rights, submission issues). * European IPR Helpdesk: Assistance with intellectual property issues. * Standardization Helpdesks: CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk offer advice on addressing standardization in project proposals. * Partner Search Tool: Available on the Funding & Tenders Portal to help find suitable partner organizations for consortia.

Evaluation Criteria

While the specific award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are detailed in 'Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes' (not provided), the grant's 'Expected Outcome' and 'Scope' strongly indicate the key areas for evaluation: Impact Potential

Contribution to Policy Goals: Significant contribution to the 'Zero Pollution Action Plan', 'Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy', and the implementation of the 'Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission'.
Environmental & Health Benefits: Potential to identify real-world releases of harmful substances, improve air quality, and reduce noise pollution in port areas and nearby cities.
Regulatory & Compliance Enhancement: Development of broadly accepted harmonized methods and automatic reporting/verification systems that can be used for future compliance monitoring and enforcement by public authorities.
Knowledge & Data Generation: Contribution to better emission factors for inventories, identification of pollutants from new fuels, and increased evidence for regulated and non-regulated pollutants from vessels.
Replicability & Scalability: The selection of demonstration ports should ensure that the outcome is representative and can be replicated to other ports across the EU.

Quality and Excellence

Technical Robustness: The accuracy, quality, and verifiability of proposed sensor technologies and data collection/analysis methodologies.
Innovation Level: Development of novel monitoring techniques for current and future fuels, new engine testing methods mimicking real-world emissions, and approaches for pollutants not currently well-controlled.
Methodology: Clarity and soundness of the methodology for assessing pollution within the port area, including emissions from all transport modes, port operations, and industries.
Scientific & Technological Soundness: The overall quality of the proposed R&I activities, including mapping high emission activities, identifying pollution sources, and proposing mitigating measures.

Quality and Efficiency of Implementation

Work Plan & Resources: The coherence and effectiveness of the work plan, including appropriate provisions for activities and resources for collaboration with the Cities Mission Platform.
Consortium Composition: The suitability and complementarity of the partners within the consortium, ensuring all necessary expertise (technical, operational, regulatory, urban planning) is present.
Demonstration Plan: A clear plan for demonstration in the required six TEN-T ports, ensuring a wide range of emission profiles and complexity are covered.
Dissemination & Engagement: Effective plans for engaging with relevant authorities (European Commission, IMO, national, regional, local competent authorities) and local communities in disseminating results.
Risk Management: Identification and mitigation strategies for potential risks and problems in data collection and sensor technology, including cybersecurity aspects.
Data Management: Commitment to making data produced 'FAIR' (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable).
Collaboration with Existing Initiatives: Avoiding duplication with previous and ongoing EU-funded projects and establishing links where beneficial.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory & Policy Alignment

International Maritime Regulations: Projects must consider and align with the 'IMO's 2023 GHG Strategy' targeting net-zero emissions from international shipping by 2050.
EU Legislation: Compliance with EU initiatives like 'FuelEU Maritime' and 'ETS inclusion' is expected.
Emission Standards: Adherence to regulations addressing harmful emissions like Sulphur and Nitrogen Oxides, including 'Tier III NOx limits'.
Future Regulations: Consideration of potential regulatory action on Black Carbon emissions in the Arctic and health impacts of ultrafine particles.

Data & Cybersecurity

FAIR Data Principles: All data produced within the project must adhere to 'FAIR' principles: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.
Data Security: Comprehensive consideration of access to data, data storage, and associated security aspects, including the assessment of cybersecurity for interoperable systems.

Ethical Standards

While not explicitly detailed, all activities must comply with the ethical principles and standards typically required for Horizon Europe projects, encompassing data privacy, environmental impact, and responsible research and innovation.

Intellectual Property (IP) Policies

IP policies are governed by the 'Model Grant Agreement (MGA)' and general Horizon Europe guidelines. Applicants are encouraged to consult the 'European IPR Helpdesk' for assistance on IP issues.

Mandatory Collaboration & Integration

Cities Mission Platform: Formal collaboration with the 'Cities Mission Platform' via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is essential after the project's start date.
Integration with Other Initiatives: Projects are strongly encouraged to integrate and avoid duplication with results from previous and ongoing EU-funded projects such as SCIPPER (Horizon 2020), EMERGE (Horizon 2020), Green C Ports (CEF), Interreg Clean North Sea Shipping, LIFE CLINSH, and specific Horizon Europe calls (HORIZON-CL5-2023-D5-01-18, HORIZON-MISS-2023-OCEAN-01-05, PPPA-2024-FISHVESSELDEMO, HORIZON-MISS-2025-03-OCEAN-05, HORIZON-CL4-SPACE-2025-01-46).

Technical Scope & Demonstration Requirements

Real Operational Environment: All demonstration activities must be carried out in a 'real operational environment'.
Pollutant Coverage: Monitoring techniques must cover at least NOx, BC, N2O, UFP, NH3, CH4, PM, PN, and NMVOC (or other related pollutants).
Fuel & Engine Versatility: Solutions must be suitable for zero-carbon fuels, dual-fuel engines, and carbon capture technologies, and accommodate dynamic engine loads of all ship types.
Comprehensive Port Assessment: Development of a methodology for assessing pollution from all transport modes, port operations, and industries within the port area.

Strategic Alignment

This topic is co-programmed and contributes directly to the implementation of the 'Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT) partnership' and the 'Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission'.
Projects are encouraged to consider the fisheries sector and fishing vessels, especially regarding alternative fuels in ports.

Grant Details