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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The core objective of this grant is to develop, demonstrate, and improve near-zero-carbon steel production processes, focusing on raising product quality, increasing productivity, and substantially reducing emissions, energy consumption, and carbon footprint. It also aims to advance steel grades and their applications, conserve resources, protect the environment, foster a circular economy, and enhance workforce conditions in the steel sector. - Target recipient type: Organizations active in the steel industry, including producers, research institutions, and technology developers. Specific legal forms (e.g., SME, Enterprise) are not detailed in the provided text. - SECTOR-SPECIFIC: Steel industry - Geographic scope: Organizations established in countries eligible under RFCS rules, which typically include EU Member States and associated countries. - Key filtering criteria: Projects must directly address pilot and demonstration activities for steel decarbonization, align with the detailed research objectives (Articles 8, 9, 10, 10a), and contribute to the European Green Deal. Priority is given to projects with clear industrial, economic, social, and environmental benefits. - Grant frequency: Part of the annual RFCS call series (RFCS-2025).

Financial Structure

Total budget allocated for the RFCS-2025-02-PDP call: 7,620,000.0 EUR.
Currency: EUR.
Minimum grant amount per project: Not specified in the provided text.
Maximum grant amount per project: Not specified in the provided text.
Co-financing or matching fund requirements: Not specified in the provided text.
Eligible costs: Detailed information regarding eligible and ineligible costs is described in section 10 of the call document and the Model Grant Agreements (MGA). These documents were not provided.
Payment schedule and mechanisms: Not specified in the provided text.
Financial reporting requirements: Detailed in the Model Grant Agreement (RFCS MGA) and EU Grants Annotated Model Grant Agreement, which are referenced but not provided.
Financial guarantees and security requirements: Not specified in the provided text.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Eligibility

Organization types: Not explicitly defined in the provided text (e.g., STARTUP, SME, ENTERPRISE, NGO, etc.). However, given the nature of 'Pilot and Demonstration Projects' in the steel sector, eligible entities are likely to be established companies, research organizations, or consortia with a strong background and capacity in steel production, metallurgy, or related industrial research and development.
Geographic location: Organizations must be established in countries eligible for RFCS funding. While not explicitly listed here, this typically includes EU Member States.

Technical/Capacity Requirements

Capacity to undertake significant pilot and demonstration projects related to steelmaking processes, advanced steel grades, resource conservation, circular economy, or workforce management.
Ability to assess and deliver anticipated industrial, economic, social, and environmental benefits.
Strong technical expertise relevant to the chosen research area (e.g., metallurgy, process engineering, environmental science, digitalization in industry).

Exclusion Criteria

Specific exclusion criteria are described in section 7 of the call document, which was not provided.

Application Process

Application Deadline

The submission deadline is 2025-09-24 00:00:00+0000 (UTC).

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted via the Electronic Submission Service available on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
The submission process is single-stage.
Applicants will need an EU Login account or can use one of the specified third-party sign-in options.

Required Documentation and Materials

Standard Application Form (RFCS): Specific to this call, available in the Submission System.
Part B of the Application Form: Must adhere to specified page limits and layout.
Detailed Budget Table (RFCS).
Content of Evaluation Forms (RFCS): This is Annex 3 of the Call document.

Application Assistance

IT Helpdesk: Available for technical questions (e.g., forgotten passwords, access rights, submission technicalities).
Online Manual: A step-by-step guide to Portal processes from proposal preparation to project reporting.
Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ: Provides answers to common questions regarding proposal submission.

Project Implementation and Reporting

Grant duration parameters: Not specified in the provided text.
Reporting obligations: Detailed in the EU Grants AGA (Annotated Model Grant Agreement).
Post-award requirements: Legal and financial set-up of grants are described in section 10 of the call document.

Evaluation Criteria

Project Relevance and Objectives

Alignment with the European Green Deal objectives, particularly the decarbonisation and modernisation of energy-intensive industries.
Contribution to achieving a zero-carbon steelmaking process by 2030.
Addressing specific research objectives outlined in RFCS Regulation 2021/1094, specifically:
Article 8: New, sustainable, and low-carbon steelmaking and finishing processes (e.g., near-zero-carbon iron/steel-making, process optimization, energy efficiency, cross-sector innovation).
Article 9: Advanced steel grades and applications (e.g., new steel grades, improved properties, extended service life, predictive simulation, high-performance steels for applications like mobility).
Article 10: Conservation of resources, protection of the environment, and circular economy (e.g., recycling, waste treatment, pollution control, eco-design, utilization of process gases, life cycle assessment).
Article 10a: Management of workforce and working conditions (e.g., developing competencies, improving health, safety, and ergonomics).

Impact and Benefits

Assessment of anticipated industrial benefits (e.g., increased productivity, new products, market opportunities).
Assessment of anticipated economic benefits (e.g., cost savings, competitiveness).
Assessment of anticipated social benefits (e.g., improved working conditions, job creation).
Assessment of anticipated environmental benefits (e.g., substantial reduction of emissions, energy consumption, carbon footprint, resource conservation, circularity).

Quality and Implementation

Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in section 9 of the call document and Annex 3 (Content of Evaluation Forms), which were not provided. However, high-quality project design, clear methodology, and feasible implementation plans are implied.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

Projects must comply with the RFCS Decision 2008/376/EC, as amended by Council Decision EU 2021/1094.
Adherence to the EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509 is mandatory.
Compliance with Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment, and Financial Capacity Assessment is required.

Environmental Standards

A strong focus on contributing to the European Green Deal objectives, aiming for zero net emissions by 2050.
Projects must support the decarbonisation and modernisation of energy-intensive industries, specifically targeting clean steel breakthrough technologies for zero-carbon steelmaking by 2030.

Project Specifics

This call specifically targets 'Pilot and Demonstration Projects' within the steel sector, implying a readiness level beyond pure research.
Emphasis is placed on cross-sector activities, integration of zero-carbon energy production, or contributions to a clean hydrogen economy.

Data Protection and Privacy

Applicants must adhere to the Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

Unique Aspects

This grant offers a strategic opportunity for entities within the steel industry to secure funding for innovative projects directly contributing to the EU's ambitious climate and industrial transformation goals.
It encourages a holistic approach, considering not only technical advancements but also their industrial, economic, social, and environmental benefits, and workforce implications.

Grant Details