Advanced manufacturing for key products (IA) (Made in Europe partnership)

The Horizon Europe grant opportunity, titled HORIZON-CL4, focuses on advanced manufacturing technologies and machinery to enhance European competitiveness. The call opens on January 6, 2026, with a deadline on April 21, 2026. This initiative is part of the Made in Europe partnership under Cluster 4 and aims to support the development of innovative manufacturing solutions that reduce reliance on critical and imported raw materials, enhance circularity, and improve resource efficiency. Eligible applicants include a diverse range of entities such as large enterprises, SMEs, startups, universities, and research organizations, with a requirement for proposals to include a consortium of at least three independent legal entities from two different EU Member States or Associated Countries. The total budget for the topic is €38 million, with approximately six projects expected to be funded, each receiving between €6 million and €8 million. The application process is a single-stage procedure allowing a competitive submission of proposals that must include a comprehensive business case and exploitation strategy. The program emphasizes projects that develop advanced manufacturing technologies, including additive manufacturing, hybrid manufacturing, advanced joining technologies, and polymer manufacturing processes. Cooperation with international partners, particularly from Japan and Taiwan, is encouraged. The expected project maturity is aimed towards development and demonstration stages, focusing on projects that can demonstrate commercial viability and scalability. While co-funding is not mandatorily required, securing additional financial backing is strongly recommended, as it is typically needed to meet the standard reimbursement model of 70% from EU funding. The selection process will evaluate proposals based on technical excellence and alignment with European strategic interests, particularly in enhancing industrial resilience and reducing dependency on non-European supply chains. Successful projects contribute to the wider EU objectives of advancing sustainability and circularity in manufacturing. This call represents a significant funding opportunity aimed at positioning European manufacturers at the forefront of innovation in key sectors, thus ensuring the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the industry.

The Horizon Europe program is offering funding for projects related to advanced manufacturing technologies and machinery. The call, INDUSTRY HORIZON-CL4-2026-01, is specifically focused on manufacturing excellence and increasing circularity through the use of innovative advanced and secondary raw materials. The goal is to support European technological leadership in manufacturing by focusing on key components and products that are competitive, have enhanced performance, and are at risk of being lost to Europe or are dependent on external sources for raw materials. The program seeks proposals that develop technologies and machinery to manufacture components with minimal use of critical or imported raw materials, encouraging the use of secondary raw materials, biobased materials, or revalorized components. While the primary focus isn't on the development of advanced materials, proposals can incorporate innovative materials like lightweight, functionalized, or self-healing materials, including steps to adapt these materials to manufacturing needs, such as digital twins and Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) approaches. Examples of relevant advanced manufacturing technologies and machinery include innovative additive manufacturing, hybrid manufacturing (additive and subtractive), photonics, advanced joining technologies, polymer composite manufacturing, advanced surface treatment and structuring technologies, manufacturing with lightweight materials, and in-line testing. Proposals must include a business case and exploitation strategy. A portfolio approach will be used to ensure at least one project focusing on the automotive industry is funded, but battery production is excluded. International cooperation, particularly with Japan or Taiwan, is encouraged. This initiative is part of the co-programmed European Partnership Made in Europe. The deadline for proposal submissions is April 21, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time. The call is a single-stage process, with the submission system planned to open on January 6, 2026. The total budget allocated to this topic is substantial, with individual projects receiving contributions ranging from approximately €800,000 to €13,000,000, depending on the specific action type (Innovation Actions, Research and Innovation Actions, or Coordination and Support Actions). The indicative number of grants varies per sub-topic. General conditions for admissibility include adhering to proposal page limits and layout guidelines, as detailed in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form. Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are detailed in Annex C. The evaluation and award process will consider award criteria, scoring, and thresholds described in Annex D. To ensure a balanced portfolio, grants will be awarded to highly ranked applications, including at least one proposal focused on the automotive industry, provided it meets all thresholds. Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F and the Online Manual, with the indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement also in Annex F. Legal and financial aspects of the grants are governed by Annex G, with the granting authority retaining the right to object to ownership transfers or exclusive licensing of results for up to four years after the action's end, as per Annex 5. Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme. Application and evaluation forms, along with the Model Grant Agreement (MGA), are available in the Submission System. Standard application forms (HE RIA, IA) and evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations. Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide, HE MGA, Operating Grants MGA, and Framework Partnership Agreement FPA. Call-specific instructions and information on financial support to third parties and clinical studies are also available. Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 sections on General Introduction, Digital, Industry and Space, Horizontal Activities, and General Annexes, as well as the HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, and related rules and agreements. The Funding & Tenders Portal offers various support resources, including an Online Manual, FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, and CEN-CENELEC/ETSI Research Helpdesks. Partner search tools and information on the European Charter for Researchers are also available. In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to bolster European manufacturing by funding projects that advance manufacturing technologies, promote circularity, reduce reliance on critical raw materials, and enhance the performance and competitiveness of key components and products. It encourages international collaboration and emphasizes the importance of a business case and exploitation strategy in proposals. The Horizon Europe call, INDUSTRY HORIZON-CL4, is a funding opportunity designed to enhance the European manufacturing sector. It targets projects that focus on advanced manufacturing technologies and machinery, with a strong emphasis on circularity and the reduced use of critical raw materials. The program aims to ensure that Europe remains competitive in key manufacturing areas, particularly those at risk of being outsourced or dependent on non-European resources. The call encourages proposals that incorporate innovative materials and processes, such as additive manufacturing, hybrid manufacturing, photonics, and advanced surface treatments. Projects should aim to improve resource efficiency, increase productivity, and enhance the resilience of European industry. To be successful, applicants need to demonstrate a clear business case and a strategy for exploiting the results of their project. The program also prioritizes projects that focus on the automotive industry, although battery production is explicitly excluded. International collaboration, especially with Japan and Taiwan, is viewed favorably. Overall, this call is about making European manufacturing more sustainable, competitive, and resilient by supporting innovation in materials, processes, and technologies. It's a chance for researchers and businesses to develop and implement cutting-edge solutions that will help secure Europe's position as a leader in advanced manufacturing.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types are not explicitly defined in the provided text. However, given the nature of Horizon Europe and the focus on innovation and research actions, eligible applicants could include a range of entities such as: research organizations, universities, SMEs, large enterprises, and other relevant stakeholders involved in manufacturing technologies and machinery. The program encourages participation from non-EU/non-Associated Countries as well.

Funding Type:The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically through HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) and HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA).

Consortium Requirement:The text does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, given the scope and complexity of the projects, a consortium is more likely. Partner search announcements are mentioned, suggesting that the program anticipates and supports collaborative efforts.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The primary geographic eligibility appears to be focused on EU member states and associated countries. However, the text mentions that a number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries have made specific provisions for funding their participants in Horizon Europe projects, suggesting broader international participation is possible. International cooperation is encouraged, especially with Japan or Taiwan.

Target Sector:The program targets the advanced manufacturing sector, with a focus on technologies and machinery for manufacturing excellence and increased circularity. Specific areas include:

* Advanced manufacturing technologies

* Innovative advanced materials

* Secondary raw materials

* Biobased materials

* Automotive industry (with a specific portfolio approach)

* Resource efficiency

* Circularity

* Productivity

* Competitiveness

Mentioned Countries:Japan, Taiwan, EU member states, and associated countries.

Project Stage:The program supports projects at various stages, including research, innovation, and implementation. This is reflected in the different types of actions funded: Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA).

Funding Amount:The funding amounts vary widely depending on the specific topic and type of action. The budget overview provides a detailed breakdown:

* HORIZON-CL4 (IA):€6,000,000 to €8,000,000 (6 grants)

* HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-04 (RIA):€5,000,000 to €8,000,000 (9 grants)

* HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-05 (RIA):€5,000,000 to €6,500,000 (7 grants)

* HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-11 (RIA):€5,000,000 to €7,000,000 (3 grants)

* HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-12 (RIA):€5,000,000 to €7,000,000 (3 grants)

* HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-13 (CSA):around €4,000,000 (1 grant)

* HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-14 (IA):around €7,500,000 (4 grants)

* HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-23 (IA):around €13,000,000 (4 grants)

* HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-24 (CSA):around €800,000 (1 grant)

* HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-31 (RIA):€5,000,000 to €7,000,000 (7 grants)

* HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-41 (CSA):around €1,000,000 (2 grants)

* HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-44 (CSA):around €3,000,000 (1 grant)

* HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-45 (CSA):€1,500,000 to €2,500,000 (2 grants)

* HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-46 (CSA):around €2,000,000 (1 grant)

* HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-48 (IA):around €2,000,000 (25 grants)

Application Type:The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support:Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of grants to support their projects.

Application Stages:The application process is single-stage.

Success Rates:Success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the potential competitiveness.

Co-funding Requirement:The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call, under the INDUSTRY pillar and the Made in Europe partnership, aims to bolster advanced manufacturing technologies and machinery within Europe. The focus is on enhancing manufacturing excellence, promoting circularity through the use of secondary and innovative materials, and improving resource efficiency. The call targets key manufactured components and products that are crucial for Europe's technological leadership but are at risk due to reliance on external sources for raw materials or parts. Projects should develop technologies and machinery that minimize the use of critical and imported raw materials, while enhancing product performance and quality through innovative materials and techniques like digital twins and SSbD design. The call encourages international cooperation, particularly with Japan and Taiwan, and uses a portfolio approach to ensure representation from the automotive industry. Funding is provided through various Horizon Innovation Actions (IA) and Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), with a single-stage application process. The indicative budget and number of grants vary by topic, offering a range of opportunities for different project scopes. This initiative seeks to increase the resilience and competitiveness of European industry by fostering innovation and sustainability in manufacturing.