Grant Details

Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The core objective of this grant is to improve the accuracy and reliability of data and practices used to measure and calculate transport emissions, particularly in multimodal transport chains. It aims to support the implementation of existing and forthcoming European Union (EU) regulatory initiatives, such as FuelEU Maritime, ReFuelEU Aviation, and the proposed CountEmissions EU. This grant is SECTOR-SPECIFIC, focusing primarily on the TRANSPORTATION and ENVIRONMENT sectors. It targets organizations capable of conducting research, developing methodologies, and facilitating coordination and support actions. The expected recipients are typically consortia comprising research institutions, businesses, and public bodies. Geographically, the grant is open to entities from EU Member States and countries associated with the Horizon Europe programme. The work undertaken will have a direct impact on EU policy and regulations, making a strong connection to the European context essential. Key filtering criteria for potential applicants include demonstrated expertise in transport emissions, data science, environmental policy, multimodal transport, and the application of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) in data analysis. Applicants should be prepared to collaborate within a consortium and engage with diverse stakeholders to develop scientifically sound frameworks and practical solutions. This specific topic is part of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025, suggesting it is a targeted, one-time call within the broader programme.

Financial Structure

This grant utilizes a lump sum funding mechanism, which simplifies financial management by providing a fixed amount of funding based on the successful completion of defined work packages, rather than reimbursing actual incurred costs.
  • Budget and Funding Amount: The total budget allocated for this specific topic (HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D6-09) is 3,500,000 EUR. Only one grant is expected to be awarded for this amount.
  • Minimum and Maximum Funding: The grant amount is fixed at 3,500,000 EUR per project for this topic.
  • Eligible Costs: The lump sum covers eligible direct and indirect costs necessary for the project's implementation. Categories of costs that may be included in the lump sum calculation are:
    • Personnel costs (employees, contractors, seconded persons, SME owners, natural person beneficiaries).
    • Subcontracting costs.
    • Purchase costs (travel, subsistence, equipment, other goods, works, and services).
    • Other cost categories (financial support to third parties, internally invoiced goods and services, transnational/virtual access to research infrastructure costs, PCP/PPI procurement costs, etc.).
  • Indirect Costs: A 25% flat rate for indirect costs is automatically included in the calculation of the lump sum contribution.
  • Payment Mechanism: Payments are made upon the proper implementation of the corresponding work packages. If conditions for a work package are not met in a reporting period, payment for that work package is withheld until the conditions are satisfied in a subsequent period. If conditions are never met, the grant amount is reduced accordingly.
  • Financial Reporting: There is no obligation to report actual costs incurred by beneficiaries. The focus shifts to technical reporting and verifying the achievement of work package objectives. However, beneficiaries must maintain accounting records under national law.
  • Audit Requirements: Audits will primarily focus on the technical implementation of the action and compliance with the conditions for releasing lump sum contributions, as well as adherence to ethical standards, research integrity, dissemination, exploitation of results, intellectual property management, and gender equality. Financial ex-post audits are minimized.
  • Co-financing: While the lump sum covers 100% of the eligible costs on which it's based, the proposal process will verify that the 'total estimated costs of the action is greater than the estimated Union contributions' if other non-eligible costs are part of the project's overall expenditures. Pre-financing follows standard Horizon Europe rules, and between 5% and 8% of the total lump sum is retained for the Mutual Insurance Mechanism.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for this grant, applicants must adhere to the general conditions outlined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. While specific organization types are not exclusively listed, 'Coordination and Support Actions' typically involve a broad range of legal entities and a consortium approach:
  • Eligible Organization Types: Legal entities such as universities, research organizations, public bodies (e.g., government agencies, ministries), private companies (both SMEs and large enterprises), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with relevant expertise. The grant aims for involvement of 'all relevant stakeholders'.
  • Geographic Location: Entities established in EU Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe are generally eligible for funding. Specific eligible countries are detailed in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Provisions may exist for entities from certain non-EU/non-Associated Countries, but these are not automatically eligible for funding.
  • Consortium Requirement: A consortium is strongly implied and practically required for 'Coordination and Support Actions' of this nature, especially given the emphasis on 'coordination between other ongoing or selected projects' and 'direct involvement of all relevant stakeholders'. Proposals are expected to be submitted by multiple beneficiaries.
  • Financial and Operational Capacity: Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial and operational capacity to carry out the proposed activities. Details are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
  • Specific Qualifications: Expertise in the following areas is crucial:
    • Measuring and calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport.
    • Multimodal transport chains.
    • Data collection, analysis, and management.
    • Methodology development (e.g., for emissions accounting).
    • Understanding and alignment with EU regulatory initiatives related to transport emissions.
    • Experience with new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) for data applications is a preference.
  • Exclusion Criteria: As a general condition, the grant is 'subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks'. Standard exclusion criteria for EU funding apply, as detailed in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes, covering situations like bankruptcy, grave professional misconduct, or fraud.

Application Process

The application process for this grant is managed through the European Commission's Funding & Tenders Portal.
  • Application Deadline: The strict deadline for submitting proposals is January 20, 2026, at 00:00:00 UTC+0000.
  • Submission Window: The submission system is planned to open on September 16, 2025.
  • Application Procedure: This is a single-stage submission process. Applicants must prepare their proposals using the specific application form for 'Coordination and Support Actions' (HE CSA) available in the Submission System.
  • Required Documentation: Proposals must adhere to page limits and layout guidelines specified in Annex A and E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, and particularly in Part B of the Application Form. A detailed budget table (HE LS) is required for proposing the lump sum amount, with a breakdown by work package and beneficiary.
  • Submission Format: Applications must be submitted electronically through the Funding & Tenders Portal.
  • Project Implementation Timeline: While a specific duration is not stated, 'Coordination and Support Actions' typically run for several years. The project's main governance is expected to ensure coordination throughout the implementation.
  • Reporting Obligations: Reporting is tied to the completion of work packages. Beneficiaries must demonstrate that the conditions for payment of each work package have been met. Reporting will primarily focus on the technical progress and outcomes, rather than detailed financial expenditures.
  • Support Available: A range of support resources are provided to assist applicants:
    • Online Manual: Guide for proposal submission and grant management.
    • Horizon Europe Programme Guide: Detailed guidance on the programme's 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, practical information, and assistance in participating in Horizon Europe (available in EU and some non-EU countries).
    • Enterprise Europe Network: Advice for businesses, especially SMEs, including guidance on EU research funding.
    • IT Helpdesk: For technical issues with the portal (e.g., passwords, access rights, submission technicalities).
    • European IPR Helpdesk: Assistance with intellectual property issues.
    • CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk: Advice on standardization in project proposals.
    • Partner Search: Tool to find partner organizations for proposals.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications for this grant will be evaluated based on the standard Horizon Europe award criteria, scoring, and thresholds, which are detailed in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. These typically include three main aspects:
  • Excellence: This assesses the quality of the project's objectives, the soundness of its methodology, and the expertise of the proposed consortium. For this grant, evaluators will look for:
    • A clear understanding of the challenges in measuring and calculating transport emissions.
    • Innovative approaches, particularly the consideration of 'new technologies, such as generative Artificial Intelligence', for developing datasets and methodologies.
    • Scientific clarity in addressing issues like black carbon emissions, radiative forcing, GHG from vehicle manufacturing/scrappage, infrastructure installation, maintenance operations, and ICT equipment related to transport.
    • Detailed and robust methodologies for specific challenges like temperature-controlled transport emissions and allocation of air transport emissions (passengers vs. freight).
    • Well-defined R&I (Research and Innovation) gaps and scientifically sound recommendations to address them.
  • Impact: This criterion evaluates the potential of the project to contribute to the grant's objectives and broader societal goals. Key impact expectations for this grant include:
    • Direct input for the implementation of current and future EU regulatory initiatives, such as FuelEU Maritime, ReFuelEU Aviation, and the proposed CountEmissions EU.
    • Development of methodological components that complement and refine the CountEmissions EU framework.
    • Contribution to establishing an unambiguous scientific framework for tackling transport emissions.
    • Facilitating alignment between EU policy development and market implementation, encouraging investment in low-emission fuels and sustainable transport services.
    • Contribution to a robust 'EU core dataset of default values for GHG emissions intensity'.
    • Alignment with relevant Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG13 (Climate Action), SDG9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
  • Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation: This assesses the quality of the work plan, the allocation of resources, and the management structure. Evaluators will consider:
    • The coherence and effectiveness of the work plan, including appropriate timelines and milestones.
    • The capacity of the consortium to execute the project, including relevant expertise and management structures.
    • Mechanisms for 'coordination between other ongoing or selected projects' (e.g., CLEVER).
    • The proposed governance structure, expecting 'direct involvement of all relevant stakeholders'.
    • The proposed budget's consistency with the planned activities, evaluated by experts with financial know-how.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Compliance and adherence to specific requirements are critical for this grant, particularly given its focus on regulatory alignment and high-level coordination:
  • Regulatory Compliance: Projects must align with and provide input for key EU regulatory initiatives, including:
    • Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 (FuelEU Maritime).
    • Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 (ReFuelEU Aviation).
    • The proposed Commission Regulation on CountEmissions EU (COM(2023) 441 final).
    • Regulation (EU) 2015/757 (EU MRV).
    • Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (Renewable Energy Directive).
    • Regulation (EU) 2020/1056 on electronic freight transport information.
  • Legal and Financial Framework: The grant operates under the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 2018/1046) and specifically the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorizing the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme.
  • Ethical Standards and Research Integrity: Adherence to ethical standards and principles of research integrity is mandatory, and compliance will be a focus of checks and reviews.
  • Intellectual Property (IP) Policies: The management of intellectual property resulting from the project will be subject to scrutiny and should adhere to Horizon Europe guidelines. Applicants should be aware that IP management is an audit focus.
  • Data Protection and Privacy: While not explicitly detailed, general EU data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) will apply to any data collection or processing activities within the project.
  • Security Requirements: The grant is 'subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks'. Applicants should be aware of and comply with relevant security regulations, especially if dealing with sensitive data or critical infrastructure.
  • Environmental Compliance: Given the grant's objective, compliance with environmental regulations and standards is inherent in the project's design and outcomes.
  • Cross-cutting Considerations: The grant explicitly mentions and expects integration of:
    • Digital Agenda aspects, particularly the use of 'new technologies, such as generative Artificial Intelligence', in developing datasets and methodologies.
    • Gender equality: This is mentioned as an area for audits in the general grant agreement.
  • Unique Aspects: The lump sum funding model is a key distinguishing feature, shifting the focus from detailed cost reporting to achieving agreed-upon work package outcomes. This requires robust project planning and clear deliverables. The project's role in influencing future EU policy and legislation for transport emissions is a significant strategic opportunity.

Grant Details

transport emissions ghg multimodal transport data data practices measurement calculation fuelEU maritime refuelEU aviation countemissions eu european union eu policy environmental policy climate action sustainable transport green transport ai artificial intelligence methodology development research innovation coordination support actions climate change carbon footprint regulatory compliance lump sum funding clean mobility sustainability energy efficiency ghg accounting standards iso 14083 black carbon radiative forcing
Reliable data and practices to measure and calculate transport emissions in multimodal transport chains
HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D6-09
Horizon Europe
UNIVERSITY SME ENTERPRISE NGO PUBLIC OTHER
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
TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENT TECHNOLOGY OTHER
DEVELOPMENT OTHER
OTHER
SDG13 SDG9 SDG11 SDG7
FUNDING RESEARCH_DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY_BUILDING NETWORKING
True
3500000.00
3500000.00
3500000.00
EUR
100.00
Jan. 20, 2026, midnight
None