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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

Target Grant ID: RFCS-2025-02-AM
Core objective: To support the European steel industry's transition towards decarbonization and a circular economy by fostering talent development, enhancing skill formation, and compiling comprehensive overviews of innovative, low-carbon steelmaking technologies for policymakers and decision-makers.
Explicit identification of target recipient type: Organizations active in the steel sector or those capable of providing supporting services to it.
Target size: Not specified in the provided documents.
MUST state if grant is 'SECTOR-SPECIFIC' or 'SECTOR-AGNOSTIC': SECTOR-SPECIFIC (steel industry).
Geographic scope and any location requirements: Eligible countries are defined in the call document (section 6), but are typically EU Member States and associated countries. Implied to be across the EU.
Key filtering criteria for initial grant screening: Focus on 'Accompanying Measures' within the steel industry, specifically targeting talent/skill development or comprehensive technology overviews for decarbonization and circular economy objectives.
Grant frequency and program context: This is a recurring grant opportunity as part of the broader RFCS (Research Fund for Coal and Steel) program, designed to align with the European Green Deal.

Financial Structure

Total budget allocated for the 'RFCS-2025-02-AM' topic in 2025 is 1,000,000 EUR.
Minimum and maximum grant amounts per individual project are not specified in the provided information, only the total topic budget.
Currency for all financial transactions and reporting is EUR.
Eligible and ineligible costs, as well as financial reporting requirements, payment schedules, and audit requirements, are described in section 10 of the call document, which is not available here.
Co-financing or matching fund requirements are not specified in the provided documents.

Eligibility Requirements

Organization Type

Organizations must be able to demonstrate financial and operational capacity, as described in section 7 of the call document.
While not explicitly defined, typical eligible entities for RFCS grants include industrial enterprises, research organizations, universities, and other entities active in or supporting the steel sector.

Geographic Location

Eligible countries are specified in section 6 of the call document, which is not provided. However, as an EU funding program, it is generally open to entities established in EU Member States and associated countries.

Project Scope

Proposals must address at least one of the two specified 'Accompanying Measures' themes: talent attraction and skill formation, OR providing technology overviews for decision-makers.

Formal Requirements

Proposals must adhere to page limits and layout guidelines detailed in section 5 of the call document and Part B of the Application Form.
Applicants must meet other specific eligibility conditions outlined in section 6 of the call document.
Organizations must not be subject to any exclusion criteria specified in section 7 of the call document.

Consortium Requirements

While 'partner search' is allowed and encouraged, a consortium is not explicitly stated as a mandatory requirement for this specific 'Accompanying Measures' topic.

Application Process

Application Process Steps

Applications must be submitted through the Electronic Submission Service via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
The submission procedure is a 'single-stage' process.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Submission opened: 2025-06-18.
Application deadline: 2025-09-24 00:00:00+0000 UTC.
The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is detailed in section 4 of the call document (not provided).

Required Documentation and Materials

Standard RFCS Application Form (available in the Submission System).
Detailed RFCS Budget Table.
Content of Evaluation Forms (Annex 3 of the Call document).
Relevant Model Grant Agreements (MGA) for RFCS Action Grant Budget-Based.

Post-Award Requirements

The legal and financial set-up of the grants, including reporting obligations and compliance, is described in section 10 of the call document (not provided).

Application Assistance

Support is available through the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ for proposal submission.
An IT Helpdesk can assist with technical issues such as forgotten passwords, access rights, and technical aspects of proposal submission.
An Online Manual provides a step-by-step guide through the Portal processes.

Evaluation Criteria

General Award Criteria

The precise award criteria, scoring system, and thresholds for evaluation are detailed in section 9 of the call document, which is not provided.

Alignment with European Green Deal Objectives Proposals will likely be evaluated on their contribution to the overarching goals of the European Green Deal, which include: - Transforming the EU into a fair and prosperous society with a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy. - Achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. - Decoupling economic growth from resource use. - Supporting the decarbonization and modernization of energy-intensive industries, particularly the steel sector. - Contributing to the development of 'clean steel breakthrough technologies' for a 'zero-carbon steelmaking process' by 2030. Relevance to Research Objectives (as context for accompanying measures) Projects should demonstrate relevance to the following broader RFCS research objectives: - Article 8 (New, sustainable and low-carbon steelmaking and finishing processes): Developing, demonstrating, and improving near-zero-carbon steel production processes, with a focus on reducing emissions, energy consumption, and environmental impacts, and conserving resources. - Article 9 (Advanced steel grades and applications): Contributing to new near-zero-carbon products and market opportunities while reducing emissions. - Article 10 (Conservation of resources, protection of the environment and circular economy): Integrating resource conservation, ecosystem preservation, circular economy principles, and safety into research and technological development. - Article 10a (Management of workforce and working conditions): Developing and disseminating competencies for new near-zero-carbon steel production processes (e.g., digitalization) and improving working conditions, health, safety, and ergonomics. Specific 'Accompanying Measures' Focus Proposals are evaluated based on how well they address at least one of these two themes: - Talent Attraction and Skill Formation: Projects focused on developing and attracting talent and skills for the steel industry, potentially building upon existing initiatives. - Policy and Technology Overview: Initiatives that provide decision-makers and policymakers with a current and comprehensive overview of innovative steelmaking technologies and scenarios for decarbonization and zero-pollution. This overview should integrate information from: - Previous and ongoing RFCS programs, and other European/national programs. - Relevant programs in non-EU countries to ensure an international perspective.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory and Legal Compliance

Projects must comply with the RFCS Decision 2008/376/EC, as amended by Council Decision EU 2021/1094.
Compliance with the EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509 is mandatory.
Applicants must adhere to the 'Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment'.
Legal and financial aspects of the grants are detailed in section 10 of the call document.

Data Protection and Privacy

Personal data processing is subject to the 'Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement'.

Strategic Alignment

Strong strategic alignment with the 'European Green Deal' objectives is a key consideration. Proposals are expected to contribute to a sustainable, resource-efficient, and competitive economy with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Cross-Cutting Themes and Impact

Proposals should demonstrate how they contribute to a 'successful and just transition towards a sustainable future' within the steel industry.
Emphasis is placed on supporting 'clean steel breakthrough technologies' and working towards 'zero-carbon steel production'.

Specific Project Focus for Accompanying Measures

Projects must contribute to either 'talent attraction and skill formation for the steel industry' or 'providing decision-makers and policymakers with an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of innovative steelmaking technologies and decarbonisation zero-pollution scenarios'.
For the overview theme, information should be drawn from both EU/national programs and international (non-EU) programs to ensure a broad perspective.

Grant Details