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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

This grant aims to drive the development of innovative advanced materials (IAMs) specifically for creating conformable, flexible, or stretchable electronic devices. The core objective is to move beyond rigid electronics, enabling new applications like wearable technology and e-textiles, while prioritizing environmental sustainability and resource efficiency. - Single, clear statement of grant's core objective: To develop high-performance, reliable, and environmentally sustainable innovative advanced materials (IAMs) for flexible, conformable, and stretchable electronics, fostering new applications and improving user experience. - Explicit identification of target recipient type and size: The grant targets research and innovation entities, typically forming consortia, regardless of specific organizational size. - MUST state if grant is 'SECTOR-SPECIFIC' or 'SECTOR-AGNOSTIC': This grant is SECTOR-SPECIFIC. - Geographic scope and any location requirements: Open to legal entities established in EU Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe. - Key filtering criteria for initial grant screening: - Focus on advanced materials (IAMs) for flexible/stretchable electronics. - Projects must involve research and innovation (RIA). - Emphasis on low environmental impact, reparability, and recyclability. - Projects should contribute to the Innovative Advanced Materials for Europe (IAM4EU) partnership. - Grant frequency and program context: This is a recurring opportunity as part of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme, specifically within the 'Digital, Industry and Space' Work Programme 2025.

Financial Structure

Total budget for this topic (HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-MATERIALS-47): EUR 15,000,000.
Minimum grant amount per project: EUR 5,000,000.
Maximum grant amount per project: EUR 5,000,000.
Currency: EUR.
Eligible costs: Not explicitly detailed in the provided text, but covered by general Horizon Europe rules for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) as per the Model Grant Agreements (MGA).
Co-financing requirements: Not explicitly stated, but standard for Horizon Europe is 100% of eligible costs for non-profit organizations and 70% for for-profit organizations.
Financial and operational capacity: Subject to assessment as per Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Type and Structure

Eligible organization types: Legal entities of any type (e.g., universities, research organizations, public bodies, SMEs, large enterprises) established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
Partnership or consortium requirements: Consortia are expected and highly encouraged, as the topic implements a co-programmed European Partnership (IAM4EU) and calls for collaboration and synergies.

Geographic Location

Eligible countries: Organisations must be established in one of the EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
EU Member States: - 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.
Horizon Europe Associated Countries (common examples, but list may vary): - AL, - BA, - GE, - IS, - IL, - MD, - ME, - MK, - NO, - RS, - CH, - TR, - UA, - UK.
Specific qualifications: Projects must be submitted as Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) proposals.

Legal and Financial

Financial and operational capacity: Subject to assessment as described in Annex C of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Exclusion criteria: Legal entities established in China are explicitly not eligible to participate in Innovation Actions (IA). This grant is a Research and Innovation Action (RIA), so this specific exclusion does not directly apply to this call, as stated in the documentation.

Application Process

Application Process and Timeline

Application deadline: 2025-10-02 00:00:00+0000 (UTC).
Submission procedure: Single-stage submission process.
Application opening date: 2025-06-10.

Required Documentation and Materials

Application form templates: The specific application form for this call (HE RIA, IA) is available in the Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System.
Proposal content: Proposal page limits and layout are described in Part B of the Application Form.

Submission and Evaluation

Submission format and platform: Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal's Electronic Submission Service.
Evaluation criteria and scoring system: Detailed in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Review process and timeline: Described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.

Support and Guidance

Application assistance availability: Extensive support is provided through the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, FAQs, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, and CEN-CENELEC/ETSI Research Helpdesk.
Partner search: Tools and services are available to help applicants find partner organizations for their proposals.

Post-Award Requirements

Project implementation timeline: The grant duration is not specified but projects are expected to develop synergies with existing initiatives and contribute actively to the IAM4EU partnership objectives.
Reporting obligations: Legal and financial set-up of the grants, including reporting, is described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Compliance obligations: Adherence to legal and financial regulations and ethical standards throughout the project lifecycle.

Evaluation Criteria

Award Criteria and Scoring

Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are detailed in Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Proposals are evaluated based on Excellence, Impact, and Quality and efficiency of the implementation.

Impact

Business case and exploitation strategy: These are critical and decisive factors under the impact criterion. Proposers are encouraged to use extended page limits to present these thoroughly.
Demonstrate expected impact in terms of enhanced market opportunities for participants and deployment within the EU (short to medium term).
Describe targeted market(s), estimated market size (EU and global), and user/customer needs.
Show that proposed solutions will cost-effectively match market and user needs.
Describe the expected market position and competitive advantage.
For higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 6 and 7, a credible strategy for future full-scale deployment in the EU, indicating industrial partners' intentions post-project, is expected.

Quality and Relevance

Quality standards: Proposals should aim for high performance and reliability in flexible electronic devices and circuits, achieving 'improved properties' for advanced materials.
Cross-cutting themes impacting scoring:
Sustainability: Integration of low environmental impact materials, promotion of reparability and/or recyclability, and compatibility with energy- and resource-efficient manufacturing processes (e.g., printing, thermoforming). Focus on reduced carbon footprint processing.
Safety and Circularity: Development of new chemicals and materials using the 'Safe and Sustainable by Design' (SSbD) framework, including animal-free new approach methodologies and systematic life-cycle assessments. Achieving circularity of raw and advanced materials, establishing new material flows, recovery, recycling, and upcycling from waste.
Digitalization: Application of new digital tools such as common data spaces, digital twins, industrial virtual worlds, and novel (autonomous) design/fabrication tools.
Skills Development: Where relevant, development of training material to equip workers with necessary skills for the uptake and deployment of new innovative products and services.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory and Ethical Compliance

Regulatory compliance: Subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks, as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Ethical standards: Proposals should follow the 'Safe and Sustainable by Design' (SSbD) framework, including considering animal-free new approach methodologies.
Data protection and privacy: General EU data protection regulations apply. Voluntary contributions of data to Joint Research Centre (JRC) platforms (INCITE, EIGL) are encouraged.

Strategic Alignment and Collaboration

Strategic alignment opportunities: This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnership Innovative Advanced Materials for Europe (IAM4EU). Projects are part of the IAM4EU partnership portfolio and are expected to actively contribute to its objectives.
Collaboration and synergies: Proposals should seek collaboration with existing projects and develop synergies with other relevant European, national, or regional initiatives (e.g., Graphene Flagship for 2D materials). Outreach to relevant national projects in EU Member States and Associated Countries is encouraged.
Standardization: Proposers are encouraged to build innovations on existing standards and consider standardization as part of their innovation and dissemination activities.

Technical and Operational Considerations

Quality standards: New materials should be developed with efficiency and circularity in mind, suitable for inclusion in products.
Intellectual property policies: Described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Specific considerations for industrialization: A credible strategy to achieve future full-scale deployment in the EU is expected for higher TRLs (6-7), including intentions of industrial partners after the project end.
Skill development: Where relevant, developing training material to equip workers with the right skillset to support the uptake and deployment of new solutions is recommended.

Grant Details