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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The core objective of this grant is to enable the integrated use of diverse renewable energy carriers in industrial sites, aiming to provide a constant, robust, low-carbon, and economic energy input for process industries. This will pave the way for strategic industrial cooperation, support power grid stability, and optimize energy use. - Target recipient type: Legal entities capable of conducting Research and Innovation Actions, including universities, research organizations, SMEs, and large companies involved in energy-intensive industries. - SECTOR-SPECIFIC: Focus on energy-intensive industries and process industries. - Geographic scope: Organisations from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. - Key filtering criteria: Projects must address industrial decarbonisation, integrated renewable energy solutions, and demonstrate strong innovation potential with a credible business case for industrialisation. - Grant frequency: This is a specific topic within the annual Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025, suggesting recurring opportunities under the broader programme.

Financial Structure

Funding Type: Research and Innovation Action (RIA).
Minimum grant amount per project: 6,000,000 EUR.
Maximum grant amount per project: 8,000,000 EUR.
Total budget available for this specific topic: 25,000,000 EUR.
Currency: EUR.
Co-financing requirements and eligible/ineligible costs: These details are not explicitly provided in the topic description and are typically found in the Work Programme General Annexes (Annex G) and the Annotated Model Grant Agreement (AGA). Applicants should refer to these documents for specific rules.
Financial reporting and audit requirements: Details are provided in the Work Programme General Annexes (Annex G) and the Model Grant Agreement.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Type

Legal entities are eligible. This typically includes, but is not limited to, universities, research organizations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and large companies.
Proposals are expected to come from consortia. Active involvement of all actors in the value chain is required, including industrial sites management, plant operators, and renewable energy providers.

Geographic Requirements

Entities established in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries are eligible.
For other countries, specific eligibility rules apply as detailed in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Note: While this is a Research and Innovation Action (RIA), the document states 'Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in Innovation Actions in any capacity'. Please verify eligibility for RIAs if originating from China.

Capacity and Experience

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial and operational capacity to carry out the proposed project, as described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Expertise is required in developing highly efficient technologies, integrated industrial site structures, risk assessment, and advanced digital technologies (e.g., distributed process control, AI, model-based technologies).

Exclusion Criteria

Specific exclusion criteria are detailed in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through the Funding & Tenders Portal online submission system.
The application process is 'single-stage', meaning a full proposal is submitted directly without a prior short proposal or concept note stage.

Application Deadlines

The submission deadline for this call is 2025-09-23 00:00:00+00 (Brussels time).

Required Documentation and Materials

Standard Application Form: Applicants must use the specific application form for HE RIA, IA actions, available in the Submission System.
Business Case: A comprehensive business case demonstrating market opportunities and potential deployment in the EU is mandatory.
Exploitation Strategy: A credible exploitation strategy outlining steps to achieve higher TRLs and future full-scale deployment in the EU is required.
Supporting Materials: Other general requirements for supporting documentation will be detailed in the Work Programme General Annexes.

Review and Selection Timeline

Indicative timelines for evaluation and grant agreement preparation are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Application Assistance and Support

Online Manual: Comprehensive guide on submission procedures.
HE Programme Guide: Detailed guidance on Horizon Europe structure, budget, and political priorities.
Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ: Answers to common questions on submission, evaluation, and grant management.
Research Enquiry Service: For general questions about European research.
National Contact Points (NCPs): Guidance and practical assistance on participation in Horizon Europe.
Enterprise Europe Network (EEN): Advice for businesses, especially SMEs, including guidance on EU research funding.
IT Helpdesk: For technical issues with the Funding & Tenders Portal.
European IPR Helpdesk: Assistance with intellectual property issues.
CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk: Advice on standardisation in project proposals.
European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct: Principles for researchers, employers, and funders.
Partner Search: Tools to find partner organisations for proposals.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on criteria outlined in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. For this specific topic, the business case and exploitation strategy are particularly crucial under the 'impact' criterion. Impact

Business Case and Exploitation Strategy: These are decisive factors in the evaluation. Proposals must present a carefully considered business case and a credible initial exploitation strategy for industrialisation. This includes:
Demonstrating expected impact in terms of enhanced market opportunities for participants and deployment in the EU in the short to medium term.
Describing targeted market(s), estimated market size (EU and globally), user/customer needs, and demonstrating how solutions will meet market and user needs cost-effectively.
Outlining expected market position and competitive advantage.
Identifying obstacles, requirements, and necessary actions to reach higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).
For TRLs 6 and 7, a credible strategy for future full-scale deployment in the EU is expected.
CO2 Reduction: Evaluation of CO2 footprint reduction potential through optimal integration of renewable energy sources.
Energy Efficiency: Demonstrated improvement in energy efficiency of the overall process.
Societal Impact: Contribution to adapting workplaces and organization of site management, and skills development for integrated systems, potentially associating social partners.

Excellence

Quality and pertinence of the project's objectives, and the extent to which they are ambitious and go beyond the state-of-the-art.
Soundness of the proposed methodology, including research and innovation activities, and the proposed technical approach.
Consideration of logistic aspects, risk assessment, and management at plant level.
Integration of advanced digital technologies and application of model-based technologies.

Quality and Efficiency of Implementation

Quality and effectiveness of the work plan, including appropriate allocation of tasks and resources.
Appropriateness of the management structures and procedures, including risk management.
Complementarity of the participants within the consortium and the extent to which the consortium as a whole possesses the necessary expertise.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

Proposals and projects must adhere to all relevant regulatory compliance requirements, as detailed in the Work Programme General Annexes and specific legal frameworks like the EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509.
Required permits and authorizations will be specified in relevant sections of the general annexes.

Data and Digital

Adherence to FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable data) is required for data sharing. This also includes ensuring secure and trusted data sharing between stakeholders.
Projects should demonstrate full integration and use of advanced digital technologies (e.g., distributed process control strategies, AI-based optimization, model-based technologies, digital twins, industrial virtual worlds).

Ethical and Environmental Standards

Ethical standards and requirements as per the EU framework will apply, typically detailed in the General Annexes.
Environmental compliance is a core objective, focusing on decarbonisation, CO2 reduction, energy efficiency, and circular economy principles.

Intellectual Property (IP) and Risk Management

Intellectual property policies are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Risk management expectations include explicit consideration and assessment of risks at the plant level.

Special Considerations

This topic implements the co-programmed European partnership Processes4Planet.
Projects are encouraged to develop training material for workers to support the uptake of new solutions, potentially up-scaling through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).
Consortia are encouraged to consider voluntary contributions of data, indicators, and knowledge to relevant Joint Research Centre (JRC) platforms, such as the Innovation Centre for Industrial Transformation and Emissions (INCITE) and the Energy and Industry Geography Lab (EIGL), to enhance policy relevance.
The 'human dimension' (including gender differences) should be stressed through the Industry 5.0 paradigm.

Grant Details