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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

This grant aims to scale up deep tech ecosystems by fostering stronger connections between pan-European research infrastructures and industry, including SMEs and startups. The core objective is to facilitate the generation, scaling, and deployment of breakthrough deep tech solutions that have both market and societal value. This is a SECTOR-SPECIFIC grant, focused on deep tech and research & innovation (R&I) ecosystems. The target recipient is an entity that is or represents a pan-European research infrastructure (like an ESFRI Landmark or European Research Infrastructure Consortium), which will then provide financial support to other organizations. The geographic scope covers EU Member States and Associated Countries. Key filtering criteria include the mandatory involvement of a research infrastructure and the clear intent to provide financial support to third parties (sub-grants). This grant is part of the Horizon Europe programme and aims to fund a single, significant project.

Financial Structure

This grant is a significant funding opportunity with a specific financial mechanism:

Total Grant Amount: The granting authority intends to fund a single project with a total contribution of EUR 5,000,000. Therefore, the minimum and maximum funding for the direct beneficiary of this grant is EUR 5,000,000.
Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP): A mandatory component of this grant is that the recipient must provide financial support to other organizations (third parties). At least 60% of the total eligible costs of the project must be dedicated to this FSTP, which can only be provided in the form of grants.
Maximum Sub-Grant per Third Party: The maximum amount that can be granted to each individual third party is EUR 500,000. This limit is justified by the need to support concrete collaborative R&I projects and engage research infrastructures with diverse partners.
Eligible/Ineligible Costs: General rules for eligible and ineligible costs are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes (not provided in this document). Applicants should consult the full Horizon Europe guidelines for detailed financial regulations.
Payment Schedule: Specific payment schedules and mechanisms are not detailed in this document but would be governed by the standard Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement (MGA) and the EU Financial Regulation.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for this grant, your organization must meet specific criteria:

Organization Type: The proposal must include at least one ESFRI Landmark (from the 2021 ESFRI Roadmap) or a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) as a direct beneficiary. If it's a distributed ERIC, a legal entity hosting one of its nodes or components can participate as a beneficiary, but a signed declaration from the ERIC's legal representative is required to confirm awareness and outline cooperation.
Geographic Location: Eligible participants are from EU Member States and Associated Countries. (Specific country list not provided in the grant text; refer to Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes for details, which is not included here).
Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP): Beneficiaries are required to provide financial support to third parties. At least 60% of the proposed total eligible costs must be allocated to these sub-grants.
Operational Capacity: As per general Horizon Europe rules, applicants must meet financial and operational capacity criteria, as described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes (not provided here).
Collaboration: The grant encourages fostering more efficient, inclusive, and connected innovation ecosystems, involving diverse actors and territories, suggesting a collaborative approach.

Application Process

The application process follows a single-stage submission and has a clear timeline:

Application Submission Window: The submission system is planned to open on September 10, 2025.
Application Deadline: The final deadline for submitting proposals is January 20, 2026, at 00:00 CET.
Submission Format: Applications should use the standard application form specific to this call, available in the Submission System. Proposal page limits and layout are described in Part B of the Application Form and Annexes A and E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Evaluation Process: The evaluation and award processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual (not provided in full). An indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is also described in Annex F.
Types of Support: This grant provides direct funding (EUR 5,000,000) to the successful applicant. The applicant is then expected to provide financial support (sub-grants) to other organizations as part of their project implementation.
Guidance and Support: Applicants can find support through the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, and CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk.

Evaluation Criteria

While specific scoring criteria are detailed in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes (not provided), the grant materials highlight the following areas as crucial for success:

Impact on Deep Tech Ecosystems: Proposals will be assessed on their potential to enhance the development and scaling of deep tech ecosystems around pan-European research infrastructures, leading to breakthrough technologies with clear market and societal value.
Industry Engagement: The extent to which the project increases the involvement of industry, including SMEs and startups, with research infrastructures to boost technological levels, competitiveness, and generate new market opportunities (e.g., through spin-offs).
Valorisation of Investments: Ability to improve the socio-economic impact and valorisation of past investments in pan-European research infrastructures.
Innovation Training & Education: How effectively the project fosters the potential of pan-European research infrastructures for innovation training and education.
Pilot Project Management: The proposal's methodology for identifying, assessing feasibility and scalability of deep tech innovations, selecting and clustering them, running and evaluating calls for pilot projects, and assessing their outcomes will be critical.
Ecosystem Integration: Contribution to strengthening interconnected, inclusive, and efficient innovation ecosystems across the EU, drawing on existing strengths and engaging less-represented stakeholders and regions.
Synergy and Co-investment: Demonstrating potential for increased innovation co-investments and leveraging synergies with other EU, national, and regional funding programmes.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Beyond standard application procedures, this grant has several critical compliance and special requirements:

Mandatory Research Infrastructure Involvement: A core requirement is the inclusion of an ESFRI Landmark or European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) as a beneficiary. This is a non-negotiable aspect of eligibility.
Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP): The project's structure must involve distributing significant financial support (at least 60% of the grant) to other entities in the form of sub-grants, with a maximum of EUR 500,000 per third party. This requires robust internal grant management, selection, and monitoring processes.
Deep Tech Focus: Projects must clearly align with and promote 'deep tech' innovations, which are defined as technologies based on cutting-edge scientific discoveries requiring constant interaction with new lab results.
Quadruple Helix Engagement: The grant emphasizes fostering inclusive innovation ecosystems by involving a diverse range of stakeholders, including industry, academia, civil society, and public authorities.
Synergy and Complementarity: Applicants are encouraged to actively seek and demonstrate synergies with other relevant EU, national, and regional innovation programmes, highlighting how the proposed activities complement broader funding landscapes.
Legal & Financial Framework: Compliance with the general conditions outlined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes (Annexes A-G), the EU Financial Regulation, and the Annotated Model Grant Agreement is expected.

Grant Details