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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The core objective of this grant is to explore innovative solutions based on Innovative Advanced Materials (IAMs), including 2DMs, for photonics. The goal is to achieve state-of-the-art performance and low power consumption, while demonstrating scalability for volume production, particularly exploiting existing semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure. - Target recipient type and size: Legal entities of any size (e.g., companies, research organizations, universities), typically forming consortia. - MUST state if grant is 'SECTOR-SPECIFIC' or 'SECTOR-AGNOSTIC': SECTOR-SPECIFIC - Geographic scope and any location requirements: EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. - Key filtering criteria for initial grant screening: Focus on advanced materials for photonics in telecommunication, low power, scalability, and Research and Innovation Action (RIA). - Grant frequency and program context: This is a recurring grant opportunity as part of the annual Horizon Europe Work Programme, specifically within Cluster 4 'Digital, Industry and Space', and it implements the co-programmed 'Innovative Advanced Materials for Europe (IAM4EU)' partnership.

Financial Structure

Minimum grant amount per project: 5,000,000 EUR
Maximum grant amount per project: 5,000,000 EUR
Total budget for this specific topic: 10,000,000 EUR (expected to fund 2 projects).
Currency: EUR
Eligible costs: General provisions for eligible costs apply as per the Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement (MGA).
Financial reporting and audit requirements: Detailed in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes and the 'EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement'.
Co-financing requirements: Not explicitly stated, but typical for Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions where non-profit entities may receive up to 100% funding and for-profit entities up to 70% of eligible costs.

Eligibility Requirements

Organization Type

Eligible organization types include any legal entity such as research organizations, universities, and businesses (e.g., startups, SMEs, large enterprises).
Consortia are expected to apply, integrating expertise across the value chain.

Geographic Location

Organizations must be established in one of the EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
For a definitive list of eligible countries, refer to Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Technical and Operational Capacity

Applicants should possess demonstrated expertise in fields such as photonics, optoelectronics, advanced materials (including 2D materials and EO polymers), semiconductor manufacturing, electronic design, wafer-scale fabrication, co-integration, co-packaging, and testing.
Capability to develop and test packaged device prototypes in relevant environments is required.

Compliance and Formal Requirements

Proposals must adhere to the general conditions outlined in Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, including admissibility conditions (page limits, layout), financial and operational capacity, and exclusion criteria.
Subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.

Application Process

Application Timeline

Call opening date: 2025-06-10.
Application deadline: 2025-10-02.
The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Required Documentation and Submission Materials

Applicants must use the standard application form specific to this call, available in the Submission System.
Proposal page limits and layout are detailed in Part B of the Application Form.

Application Procedure

The submission process is single-stage.
Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal.

Application Assistance and Support

Comprehensive guidance is available through the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, and Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ.
National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance and assistance in participating in Horizon Europe.
The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) offers advice to businesses, especially SMEs, on EU research funding.
Technical support for submission issues can be obtained from the IT Helpdesk.
Assistance with intellectual property issues is available from the European IPR Helpdesk.
CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk advise on standardisation in project proposals.
A partner search facility is available to help find suitable consortium members.

Evaluation Criteria

Excellence

Scientific and technological quality of the proposed research and innovation, including novelty and ambition.
Focus on exploring innovative solutions with IAMs for state-of-the-art performance, low power consumption, and compatibility with existing photonic integrated platforms and low-voltage electronics.
Clarity and soundness of optimized routes for electronic and photonic design, fabrication, production of IAMs, testing, wafer-scale fabrication, co-integration, and co-packaging.
Integration of existing standards and consideration of standardisation in innovation and dissemination activities.
Alignment of new material development with the 'Safe and Sustainable by Design' (SSbD) framework, including efficiency and circularity.

Impact

Expected outcomes include demonstrated added value of IAMs (e.g., 2DMs, EO polymers) for integrated photonic devices and systems, leading to low power consumption and competitive value chains in future telecommunication networks.
Contribution to miniaturized, high-performing, scalable, low-power, and high-bandwidth photonic integrated technologies.
Integration of the value chain and relevant manufacturing technologies essential for bringing developed devices to market.
Expected market opportunities for participants and deployment in the EU, including market size, user needs, cost-effectiveness, and competitive advantage.
A credible business case and exploitation strategy for industrialization are essential components and decisive factors for scoring under the impact criterion, especially for future full-scale deployment for TRLs 6 and 7.
Strengthening EU's critical raw materials capacities, reducing dependencies, and promoting supply chain sustainability and circularity.
Development of new digital tools and advanced design/synthesis/fabrication tools.

Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation

Soundness of the proposed methodology and work plan, including the appropriateness of resources allocated.
Effectiveness of the management structure and division of tasks.
Appropriateness of the chosen Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and the strategy for advancing them.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory and Ethical Compliance

Projects are subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.
General EU regulatory compliance and ethical standards apply as per Horizon Europe frameworks.
The integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content is not a mandatory requirement for this specific topic.

Environmental and Sustainability Standards

Proposals must consider the requirements of the European Green Deal for safety, sustainability, and circularity across the life cycle of chemicals and materials.
New chemicals and materials should be developed following the 'Safe and Sustainable by Design' (SSbD) framework.

Project-Specific Requirements and Expectations

Consortia are encouraged to leverage and connect with European analytical research infrastructures and services, such as those in the ARIE network.
Proposals should demonstrate integration of the entire value chain, from materials development to relevant manufacturing technologies, to bring developed devices to market.
Active collaboration and synergy development are expected with the 'Innovative Advanced Materials for Europe (IAM4EU)' partnership.
Synergy with other relevant European, national, or regional initiatives, including the Graphene Flagship (for 2D materials), is encouraged.
Voluntary contributions of project data, indicators, and knowledge to relevant Joint Research Centre (JRC) platforms (e.g., INCITE, EIGL) are welcomed.

Strategic Considerations

A well-defined business case and a credible initial exploitation strategy for industrialization are crucial and will heavily influence the impact assessment of the proposal. This should detail targeted markets, estimated market size, user needs, and competitive advantage.
For projects reaching TRLs 6 and 7, a clear strategy for future full-scale deployment in the EU is expected.
Where relevant, the development of scalable training materials to address skill gaps in the workforce for uptake and deployment of new innovations is recommended.

Grant Details