Advancing promising results from Pillar II collaborative research through the innovation journey
Overview
Horizon Europe Bridging actions 2027 (topic HORIZON-BRIDGING) funds Innovation Actions to advance results from completed Pillar II multi‑beneficiary projects into real‑world validation, piloting, market readiness and first deployment. The total budget is €32.5 million for an indicative 13 lump‑sum grants of up to €2.5 million each, single‑stage submission with planned opening 20 October 2026 and deadline 28 January 2027 (17:00 Brussels time). Eligible consortia may include up to 6 independent entities, must demonstrate ownership or access to prior project results/IP, start beyond the laboratory (starting TRL typically ≥6 for relevant clusters), and propose projects up to 3 years. Evaluation uses a Fast Track to Research and Innovation procedure with thresholds Excellence/Impact/Implementation = 4 each (overall 12) and outcomes targeted within 4 months and grant signature within 6 months of the deadline.
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Highlights
Call at a glance
Bridging actions 2027 (HORIZON-BRIDGING-2027-02-05)
What it funds:Innovation actions to take results from completed Horizon Europe Pillar II multi-beneficiary projects beyond the lab into prototyping, testing, demonstration, piloting, large-scale validation and market replication in real-world settings. Activities may cover validation and testing, commercialisation, scaling and operations, stakeholder engagement and investment/deployment bridging.
Budget and number of grants:Total indicative budget €32,500,000; indicative number of grants 13; maximum EU contribution per project up to €2,500,000 (lump sum), projects up to 3 years.
- 1Who can apply: Consortia of up to 6 independent eligible legal entities (Member States and Associated Countries eligible as per Work Programme).
- 2Eligibility constraint: Proposals must be based on results from a completed Pillar II multi-beneficiary project (RIA, IA or PCP) whose end date is before the submission deadline; applicants must own or have access to the relevant knowledge assets/IP.
- 3Required maturity: Projects should start beyond the laboratory; TRL starting point depends on the Pillar II cluster of the original project (for Clusters 3–6 start from TRL 6; for Clusters 1–2 activities must start beyond lab environment and target later-stage validation).
- 4Grant modality and timing: HORIZON Innovation Actions using the HORIZON lump-sum grant model; single-stage submission; planned opening 20 Oct 2026; deadline 28 Jan 2027 17:00 Brussels time.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Total indicative budget | €32,500,000 |
| Indicative grants | 13 |
| Max EU contribution per project | Up to €2,500,000 (lump sum) |
| Max consortium members | 6 independent entities |
| Max project duration | 3 years |
Selection and features:Fast Track to Research and Innovation evaluation (FTRI) with standard thresholds (Excellence, Impact, Implementation each >=4, total >=12). Eligible proposals passing thresholds may receive a STEP Seal when relevant. Proposals must include a business/exploitation plan and market-readiness strategy; end users should be represented in the consortium.
How to apply:Submit via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Start submission on the topic page and use the application form in the submission system Topic page.
Clinical studies and regulated activities:If clinical studies are foreseen include the dedicated clinical studies annex and follow CTIS/WHO guidance where applicable 1.
Footnotes
- 1CTIS (Clinical Trials Information System) is the mandatory EU portal for clinical trials: euclinicaltrials.eu. WHO guidance on best practices for clinical trials: who.int.
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Breakdown
Call identification and deadlines
Call title:Bridging actions 2027. Topic code: HORIZON-BRIDGING. Type of action: HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA). Type of MGA: HORIZON Lump Sum Grant (HORIZON-AG-LS). Submission procedure: single-stage (open call). Planned opening date: 20 October 2026. Deadline (Brussels time): 28 January 2027, 17:00. Maximum project duration: 3 years.
Summary of purpose, expected outcomes and scope
Purpose:accelerate the commercialisation, adoption and deployment of high-potential results generated under Horizon Europe Pillar II multi-beneficiary projects by funding innovation activities that take completed Pillar II results beyond laboratory research towards production, market entry and large-scale validation in real-world settings. Expected outcomes: (1) Pillar II results are advanced along the innovation pathway into high-value products, services, processes or business models; (2) end users and market actors co-develop and validate solutions in real-world settings to integrate demand-side needs and de-risk the pathway; (3) accelerated commercialisation, adoption and deployment across the EU/Associated Countries, reinforcing societal benefits, competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy.
Key scope requirements
Proposals must be based on results generated within a prior completed multi-beneficiary Pillar II project funded directly under Clusters 1 to 6 through an RIA, IA or PCP. The completed project(s) must have an end date prior to the submission deadline. Applicants must demonstrate ownership of or negotiated access to the relevant knowledge assets and IPR (see specifics below). Activities proposed must start beyond the laboratory or research environment and target later-stage innovation activities such as prototyping, testing, demonstration, piloting, large-scale product validation, market replication and deployment under real-world conditions. Projects should cover more than one of: validation and testing, commercialisation aspects, scaling and operations, stakeholder/user/market readiness, deployment and investment bridging. Proposals must include a business plan and exploitation strategy, measurable KPIs for wider impact (monetary and non-monetary), and identify the beneficiary(ies) responsible for scaling-up. End users should be represented as beneficiaries in the consortium; additional end users can be subcontracted for testing/validation.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL) requirement:Proposals must start beyond the laboratory: for results from projects in Clusters 3, 4, 5 or 6 the starting TRL should be TRL 6. For results based on projects in Clusters 1 or 2 the proposed activities must start beyond the laboratory and focus on late-stage prototyping, testing, demonstration, piloting, large-scale product validation and market replication under real-world conditions.
Budget and number of grants
| Call budget (topic level) | €32,500,000 (budget year 2027) |
|---|---|
| Indicative number of grants | 13 |
| Indicative EU contribution per project | 0 to €2,500,000 (maximum contribution per selected action as per call mapping) |
| Grant financing modality | Lump sum contributions under Horizon Europe (lump sum MGA) |
Eligible applicants and consortium rules
Consortia:collaborative consortia are required. Additional eligibility rule: consortia may include a maximum of 6 independent eligible entities as participants. The call targets consortia that own or have assured access to the knowledge assets/results from the referenced completed Pillar II project(s). A primary prior Pillar II project must be explicitly identified in the proposal (grant number and acronym). Ongoing Pillar II projects are not eligible as the source of results.
Eligible applicant types:The topic is open to a broad range of legal entity types established in eligible countries: universities and higher education establishments, research organisations and institutes, SMEs, larger enterprises, industrial partners, public authorities, non-profit organisations, NGOs, research infrastructures, end-user organisations (public or private), and other legal entities eligible under Horizon Europe. Specific restrictions: entities established in an eligible country but directly or indirectly controlled by China or a legal entity established in China are not eligible to participate when the project falls in critical technology areas as per General Annex B. Individuals are not direct beneficiaries for this collaborative action. Associated partners and subcontracting rules apply according to Horizon Europe General Annexes.
Geographic eligibility and beneficiary scope
Geographic eligibility is governed by Horizon Europe General Annex B. The call expects participants from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Non-associated third countries may participate if covered by the eligibility rules or bilateral arrangements; some non-EU/non-associated countries have made provisions to fund their participants. The exploitation strategy should envisage first deployment in the EU and/or Associated Countries.
Target sectors and technology areas
This Bridging topic is cross-sectoral and covers Pillar II clusters and their outcomes. Explicitly targeted or relevant sectors and technology areas include (non-exhaustive): energy (including decarbonisation, renewable energy, storage, hydrogen), cleantech and climate technologies, industrial processes and manufacturing, transport and mobility, digital and deep tech (AI, cloud, edge, digital twins, IoT), semiconductors and electronics, advanced materials, photonics, biotechnology and medtech, health and clinical research, agriculture and bioeconomy, environmental monitoring, space and Earth observation, robotics and automation, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, research infrastructures and data services. The call notes STEP eligibility (digital and deep tech, clean and resource-efficient tech, biotech) where relevant and the possibility to be awarded a STEP Seal if thresholds met 1.
Project maturity and expected stage
Projects must start beyond the laboratory environment (post-research). The accepted maturity from the prior project is TRL 6 (for clusters 3-6) or equivalent late-stage prototype/validation state for clusters 1-2; proposals should focus on TRL progression through prototyping, demonstration, piloting, large-scale validation and market replication and aim to reach TRL 7-8 or equivalent deployment-readiness by project end.
Funding type and nature of support
Primary funding mechanism:grant funding in the form of lump sum contributions (Horizon lump sum MGA). Beneficiaries receive monetary support (lump sums). In addition, successful proposals exceeding thresholds will be awarded a STEP Seal (recognition/label) where applicable, which is a non-monetary value-add facilitating investor visibility and access to complementary EU funding channels and national instruments 1.
Application and evaluation process
Application:single-stage open call using the Submission System on the Funding & Tenders Portal. Use the application form available in the Submission System (Part A/B templates). The call will be evaluated under a Fast Track to Research and Innovation Procedure (FTRI) for faster access to funds. Evaluation criteria follow Horizon Europe Annex D and are scored across Excellence, Impact and Implementation. Thresholds: 4 for each criterion (Excellence, Impact, Implementation) and a cumulative threshold of 12. Indicative timetable: outcome of evaluation communicated within a maximum of 4 months from final submission date; grant agreements signed within a maximum of 6 months from final submission date.
Application type and required attachments:Single-stage open call. Required documentation includes the Submission System application form (Part A and Part B), evidence that the primary Pillar II project(s) is completed (grant end date prior to submission), proof of ownership or access to relevant results/IP (ownership confirmation or commitment letter), a business plan and exploitation strategy, a dissemination/exploitation/communication plan including KPIs, and where applicable annexes for clinical studies (use the provided clinical studies template), ownership control declaration, security-related templates (if relevant), and lump sum budget tables. Additional templates and guidance are available in the Reference Documents on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
Evaluation stages and selection
Submission and evaluation are single-stage (1 stage). Evaluation uses standard Horizon Europe evaluation forms with necessary adaptations for lump-sum and FTRI. Proposals that meet all thresholds and rank sufficiently high will be funded within available budget. To ensure coverage of Pillar II clusters, grants will be awarded not only by ranking but also to ensure at least the 2 highest ranked proposals per different Clusters targeted are funded (subject to thresholds and budget).
Indicative funding distribution and limits
Total topic budget:€32,500,000. Indicative number of grants: 13. Indicative expected EU contribution per project: up to €2,500,000 (mapping shows maxContribution 2,500,000). The call text explicitly displays minContribution 0 and maxContribution 2,500,000 per action in the budget mapping. The lump sum mechanism applies; eligible cost rules follow the lump sum decision and Horizon Europe General Annexes.
Co-funding, ownership and IP requirements
Co-funding:the grant is a lump sum and does not require a specified percentage of co-funding in the topic text; however, proposals must present a business plan and exploitation strategy showing plans to secure subsequent investment and deployment financing (private or public). Applicants must provide evidence that the consortium owns or has access to the knowledge assets/results including IPR where relevant. Acceptable evidence: confirmation that at least one applicant is owner/holder of the relevant knowledge assets/IPR and has rights to commercialise/use the results, or a commitment letter from owner(s) of the result(s) confirming willingness to negotiate fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory access to results/IPR for exploitation. The granting authority may object to transfers of ownership or exclusive licensing of results within up to 4 years after the action end (Annex 5 provision).
Eligibility constraints and security
Additional eligibility constraints:only results from prior multi-beneficiary Pillar II projects funded directly by the Commission or Executive Agency are eligible (co-funded European Partnerships or joint undertakings funded projects are not eligible as sources). Projects funded via financial support to third parties are not eligible as the source of results. Entities directly or indirectly controlled by China are excluded for critical technology areas per General Annex B. Some projects may involve classified background or produce security-sensitive results (EUCI/SEN); applicants must follow security provisions in General Annexes, and complete related security templates if relevant. If satellite-based EO or GNSS data are used, Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS must be used.
Application templates, annexes and guidance documents
Main templates and documents to prepare and upload:Submission System application form (Part A and Part B); clinical studies template (if clinical studies planned) available as an annex template in the submission system; ownership control declaration template; security sections and Security Aspects Letter (if relevant); information on security practitioners template (for security practitioner eligibility); detailed budget table for lump sums; guidance on lump sums; HE Programme Guide; Model Grant Agreement (Lump Sum MGA); standard evaluation forms (RIA/IA adapted); detailed reference documents listed in Work Programme 2026-2027 Part 14 and General Annexes. Applicants should use the application form in the Submission System and follow the page limits and layout described in the Application Form Part B and Annexes A/E.
- 1Admissibility and page limits: follow Annex A and Part B of the Application Form. The call specifies maximum pages in the Application Form; in certain related Clean Industrial Deal topics page limit is extended to 60 pages to include business plan and market-readiness strategy; for this Bridging topic follow Part B instructions in the Submission System.
- 2Evidence of completed primary Pillar II project(s): provide grant number(s) and acronym(s) and confirm project end date is prior to submission.
- 3Ownership/IP evidence: include ownership confirmation or commitment letter as specified in topic conditions.
- 4Business plan and exploitation strategy: include risks and mitigation, identification of scaling-up beneficiaries, first deployment plan in EU/Associated Countries, KPIs and metrics for wider impacts.
- 5Clinical studies: if applicable, complete and upload the clinical studies annex template in the submission system with full methodological and regulatory information.
- 6Security: if classified or security-sensitive results/background are involved, fill in the security template and SAL and follow General Annex security guidance.
- 7STEP eligibility: if the proposal aligns with STEP (digital/deep tech, cleantech or biotech), demonstrate contribution to STEP objectives and note potential STEP Seal award for shortlisted proposals that meet thresholds.
Success rates and competition
The specific success rate for this topic is not published. The call has an indicative budget to fund around 13 projects, with evaluation thresholds set at 4/4/4 per criterion and cumulative 12. Funding will be awarded by ranking while ensuring representation across Pillar II Clusters (priority given to highest ranked proposals per cluster subject to thresholds and budget). Competition is expected to be strong given the strategic aim and STEP relevance.
Application stages and timeline
- 1Preparation: collect evidence of completed Pillar II project results, ownership/IP documentation, business plan and exploitation strategy, and required annexes (clinical studies, security, ownership declaration).
- 2Submission: single-stage proposal submission through the Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System by deadline (28 January 2027 17:00 Brussels time).
- 3Evaluation: FTRI procedure; information on outcome within a maximum of 4 months after final submission date.
- 4Grant agreement signature: indicative target within 6 months from final submission date.
Co-funding and further investment expectations
Although the EU contribution is provided as a lump sum, applicants should present credible plans to secure the funding and investment necessary for next-stage scaling and deployment beyond the project duration. Proposals should describe how they will secure investment commitments from EU or national deployment programmes, public/private investors or relevant funds, and how the project output will be taken up by identified industrial or public beneficiaries responsible for scaling-up.
Templates and structure of application forms (practical outline)
Use the standard Part A and Part B application forms available in the Submission System. Part B must address the evaluation sections: Excellence, Impact, Implementation. Prepare the following annexes where relevant and upload in the dedicated annex slots: ownership/IP evidence and commitment letters; clinical studies template for any clinical studies (use the provided Information on clinical studies template); ownership control declaration template; security section/templates (SAL, SCG) if classified or security-sensitive material is used; detailed lump sum budget table (HE LS); information on security practitioners if the topic requires credible practitioner involvement. Follow page limits and layout indicated in the Part B application form in the Submission System and General Annexes. The Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual and HE Programme Guide provide detailed guidance and examples of standard application forms and evaluation forms.
| Document / Template | Purpose / Where to upload |
|---|---|
| Part A and Part B application form (Submission System) | Main proposal content, administrative data and Part B technical description |
| Information on clinical studies template | Mandatory annex for proposals including clinical studies; upload as separate annex |
| Ownership control declaration | Upload to demonstrate ownership/control information as required |
| Security Aspects Letter (SAL) and Security Classification Guide (SCG) | Complete and upload if project uses/produces classified or security-sensitive information |
| Lump sum detailed budget table (HE LS) | Upload as annex to explain design and justification of lump sum parameters |
| Information on security practitioners | If the call requires security practitioner involvement, upload template to demonstrate eligibility |
Mentioned countries and geographic terms in the topic text
Explicit geographic mentions:EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. The topic references projects funded directly by the Commission or Executive Agency. No specific Member State list is given in the topic text; eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. The call also references third-country participation rules and specific exclusions (control by China for critical technology areas).
Success and complementary recognitions
Proposals that exceed evaluation thresholds and are funded under this topic will automatically be awarded a STEP Seal (where applicable and the proposal meets STEP-relevance criteria), which is a quality label intended to facilitate access to complementary funding and investor visibility 1.
How to demonstrate eligibility and strengthen the proposal
- 1Clearly identify the primary Pillar II project(s) used as the source of results (grant number and acronym) and confirm project end date is prior to submission.
- 2Provide binding or strongly committed evidence on ownership or fair access to the results/IP (signed commitment letter(s) or confirmation of ownership by a consortium participant).
- 3Include an explicit TRL mapping showing starting TRL (>=6 for relevant clusters) and expected TRL progression during the project.
- 4Include a robust business plan and market-readiness strategy with KPIs, risk analysis, investment plan and identified scaling beneficiary(ies).
- 5Demonstrate real-world validation environments and end-user involvement: include end users as beneficiaries and/or subcontracted test partners for real-world trials.
- 6Address regulatory, standards and certification pathways where relevant and provide a realistic plan to obtain permits/approvals needed for demonstration and deployment.
- 7If clinical studies are planned, include the clinical studies annex with protocol-level details and regulatory strategy.
- 8If security-sensitive content is involved, include SAL/SCG and demonstrate facility/personnel clearances or planned clearance steps.
- 9If STEP relevance is claimed (digital/deep tech, cleantech, biotech), clearly state how the project contributes to STEP objectives and note any strategic dependencies it addresses.
Risks, restrictions and other important legal/administrative notes
Only results generated within completed multi-beneficiary Pillar II projects directly funded by the Commission or Executive Agency are eligible. Results from projects funded by co-funded European Partnerships or joint undertakings, or results generated via financial support to third parties, are not eligible as main results sources. Entities under non-EU control (notably direct/indirect control by China) may be excluded in critical technology areas (see General Annex B). The granting authority reserves the right, up to 4 years after the action, to object to transfers of ownership or exclusive licensing of results (Annex 5). Use of Copernicus and Galileo/EGNOS is required when satellite-based EO or GNSS data/services are used.
Concluding summary
This Horizon Europe Bridging Actions 2027 topic finances late-stage innovation activities to bring high-potential results from completed Pillar II multi-beneficiary projects closer to market deployment. It funds single-stage collaborative proposals (consortia up to 6 participants) under a lump sum model. Projects must demonstrate ownership or negotiated access to prior results, start beyond the laboratory at TRL 6 or equivalent, and focus on prototyping, testing, piloting, large-scale validation and market replication in real-world settings. Applicants must provide a credible business plan, market-readiness strategy, KPIs for impact, end-user involvement and a plan for securing further investment and deployment. The topic budget is €32.5M for approximately 13 actions with per-project contributions up to €2.5M. Evaluation uses FTRI for faster processing with evaluation thresholds 4/4/4 and cumulative 12, and funded proposals may receive STEP Seals if STEP-relevant criteria are met. Applicants should use the Submission System application form and the referenced templates (clinical studies, ownership declaration, security templates, lump sum budget table) and consult the Funding & Tenders Portal guidance, Online Manual and Work Programme General Annexes for full procedural and legal details.
Footnotes
- 1STEP Seal information and benefits are published by the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform. For details see the STEP Seal page on the European Commission website STEP Seal explained.
Short Summary
Impact Advance completed Horizon Europe Pillar II results through real-world validation, piloting and market deployment to accelerate commercialisation, uptake and societal/economic benefits across the EU and Associated Countries. | Impact | Advance completed Horizon Europe Pillar II results through real-world validation, piloting and market deployment to accelerate commercialisation, uptake and societal/economic benefits across the EU and Associated Countries. |
Applicant Teams with demonstrated ownership or secured access to Pillar II project results, strong technical and market know-how, end-user engagement and capacity to deliver late-stage prototyping, validation and deployment activities. | Applicant | Teams with demonstrated ownership or secured access to Pillar II project results, strong technical and market know-how, end-user engagement and capacity to deliver late-stage prototyping, validation and deployment activities. |
Developments Late-stage innovation activities (prototyping, testing, demonstration, piloting, large-scale validation, market replication, commercialisation readiness and first deployment) building on completed multi-beneficiary Pillar II projects. | Developments | Late-stage innovation activities (prototyping, testing, demonstration, piloting, large-scale validation, market replication, commercialisation readiness and first deployment) building on completed multi-beneficiary Pillar II projects. |
Applicant Type Researchers and research organisations, SMEs and startups, larger enterprises and public or private end-user organisations involved in technology validation and deployment. | Applicant Type | Researchers and research organisations, SMEs and startups, larger enterprises and public or private end-user organisations involved in technology validation and deployment. |
Consortium Designed for small collaborative consortia of up to 6 independent eligible entities rather than single applicants. | Consortium | Designed for small collaborative consortia of up to 6 independent eligible entities rather than single applicants. |
Funding Amount Total topic budget €32,500,000 with indicative support for ~13 grants and up to €2,500,000 per project (lump sum) for up to 3 years. | Funding Amount | Total topic budget €32,500,000 with indicative support for ~13 grants and up to €2,500,000 per project (lump sum) for up to 3 years. |
Countries Focused on EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries as deployment markets and eligible participants; some non-associated third-country participation only where Horizon Europe rules permit. | Countries | Focused on EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries as deployment markets and eligible participants; some non-associated third-country participation only where Horizon Europe rules permit. |
Industry Horizon Europe Bridging Actions (horizontal, industry-agnostic but prioritising STEP-relevant digital/deep tech, cleantech and biotech areas). | Industry | Horizon Europe Bridging Actions (horizontal, industry-agnostic but prioritising STEP-relevant digital/deep tech, cleantech and biotech areas). |
Additional Web Data
This topic is a Horizon Europe Innovation Action under Bridging actions 2027. It is designed to help promising results from Pillar II collaborative research move through validation, piloting, market readiness, and first deployment in the EU or Associated Countries, as part of the wider innovation to investment journey.9
Most important numbers:The call has a total budget of €32.5 million, expects 13 grants, and supports projects with up to €2.5 million each.42
Key facts
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Topic code | HORIZON-BRIDGING |
| Call title | Bridging actions 2027 |
| Action type | HORIZON Innovation Actions |
| Grant type | Horizon Lump Sum Grant |
| Submission model | Single stage |
| Planned opening date | 20 October 2026 |
| Deadline | 28 January 2027 at 17:00 Brussels time 34 |
| Total budget | €32,500,000 4 |
| Indicative number of grants | 13 4 |
| Maximum contribution per project | Up to €2,500,000 2 |
| Maximum project duration | 3 years |
| Evaluation timeline | Results within 4 months and grant signature within 6 months after the deadline |
| Thresholds | 4 for Excellence, 4 for Impact, 4 for Implementation, 12 overall |
What the funding is about
The topic supports the later stage development of results generated by Horizon Europe Pillar II projects, with an emphasis on prototyping, testing, demonstrating, piloting, large scale validation, market replication, commercialisation readiness, and first deployment. Proposals should start beyond the laboratory or research environment and should cover more than one type of activity, for example validation and testing, commercialisation, scaling and operations, stakeholder and market readiness, or deployment and investment bridging. Applicants must also explain the wider impact, provide KPIs or a similar monitoring framework, and include a business plan or exploitation strategy with risks and mitigation.
The call is intended to increase the efficiency of R and I investments by helping more Horizon Europe results become innovative products, services, processes, practices, or business models with clear societal or economic value. The expected outcome is faster uptake and deployment, stronger commercialisation, and greater benefits for competitiveness, resilience, clean transformation, wellbeing, and strategic autonomy.
What projects should do
- Work with real world validation rather than early laboratory research
- Cover more than one later stage innovation activity
- Show a credible route to market or first deployment in the EU or Associated Countries
- Define measurable impact indicators and exploitation milestones
- Identify the beneficiary responsible for scaling up the solution
Who can apply
Applications must build on results generated within a prior multi beneficiary project funded directly under one of the Pillar II clusters, using a Research and Innovation Action, Innovation Action, or Pre commercial Procurement Action. The prior project must have been completed before the submission deadline, and only projects funded by the Commission or an Executive Agency are eligible. If multiple projects are used, the proposal must identify one primary project.
Applicant profile:Consortia may include a maximum of 6 independent eligible entities. End users must be represented as a beneficiary in the consortium, and additional end users can be subcontracted for further testing and validation if needed. Applicants must also prove that the consortium owns or has access to the relevant knowledge assets, including intellectual property where relevant, or provide a commitment letter from the owner of the results.
| Eligibility gate | What applicants need to show |
|---|---|
| Source project basis | Results from a completed prior Pillar II multi beneficiary RIA, IA, or PCP project |
| Project status | The source project must be closed before the submission deadline |
| Knowledge access | Ownership or access rights to the relevant results and IPR, or a commitment letter |
| Consortium size | No more than 6 independent eligible entities |
| End users | At least one end user as a beneficiary |
| Geographic scope | EU and Associated Countries, with some non EU participants potentially eligible under specific Horizon Europe rules |
| Control restriction | Entities in an eligible country that are directly or indirectly controlled by China or a legal entity established in China are not eligible |
| Special data and infrastructure rules | Copernicus and or Galileo EGNOS must be used where satellite based services are relevant |
| Security and sensitivity | Some activities may involve EUCI or sensitive information and require the relevant security provisions |
| Clinical studies | If relevant, a dedicated clinical studies annex must be completed |
Funding level and award mechanics
The grants are awarded as lump sums, so funding is tied to the agreed project outputs rather than to the reimbursement of actual eligible costs. The topic uses a Fast Track to Research and Innovation Procedure to speed access to funding for small collaborative consortia. Eligible proposals that exceed all thresholds receive a STEP Seal, and the portfolio is balanced so that, within budget, the two highest ranked proposals in different targeted Pillar II clusters are also considered for award, provided they meet all thresholds.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Grant form | Lump sum |
| Procedure | Fast Track to Research and Innovation Procedure |
| Award balance rule | Top ranked proposals across different targeted Pillar II clusters are also supported, within budget and subject to thresholds |
| STEP relevance | If the project fits STEP eligibility, it should show contribution to the internal market or reduction of strategic dependencies |
| Seal | Eligible proposals exceeding all thresholds receive a STEP Seal |
| Evaluation criteria thresholds | Excellence 4, Impact 4, Implementation 4, cumulative 12 |
| Outcome notification | Within 4 months of the deadline |
| Grant agreement signature | Within 6 months of the deadline |
What applicants must demonstrate in practice
- A clear link to completed Pillar II project results and the grant number and acronym of the source project
- Ownership of, or access to, the knowledge assets and intellectual property needed for exploitation
- A consortium that includes the right technical and market actors, especially end users
- A convincing plan for real world validation, market entry, scaling, or deployment
- A first deployment path in the EU or Associated Countries
- Quantified impact claims with KPIs or an equivalent framework
- A business plan or exploitation strategy that includes risks and mitigation
- If relevant, a clinical studies annex using the required template
Practical points for applicants
Applicants should check the admissibility rules, eligible country rules, financial and operational capacity requirements, and general Horizon Europe annexes before submission. The call may involve security sensitive material, and the grant authority can object to transfers of ownership or exclusive licensing of results for up to 4 years after the end of the action. If the proposal uses satellite based earth observation or navigation data, Copernicus and or Galileo EGNOS must be used where relevant. If clinical studies are included, the dedicated clinical studies information template must be attached and the relevant EU trial registration rules must be followed.
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Demonstration of zero emission coaches and buses in long distance operations (2ZERO Partnership)
The Horizon Europe program is offering a funding call under the title "Demonstration of Zero Emission Coaches and Buses in Long Distance Operations" as part of the 2ZERO Partnership. It will open for submissions on December 15, 2026, and...
Strengthening the potential of the EOSC for knowledge valorisation and industry-academia collaboration (EOSC Partnership)
The HORIZON-INFRA-2027-01-EOSC-02 is a significant grant opportunity under the Horizon Europe program, specifically aimed at enhancing the capacity of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) Federation for knowledge valorization and foste...
Large scale operational validation and upscaling of state-of-the-art (Generative) AI tools and models powering a next generation digital energy system
The Horizon Europe funding opportunity identified as HORIZON-CL5-2027-02-D3-24 focuses on substantial investments aimed at the large-scale operational validation and upscaling of state-of-the-art generative AI tools and models within the...
Testing and optimising models of co-creation of advanced research infrastructure technologies
The Horizon Europe initiative, specifically the HORIZON-INFRA-2027-TECH-01-01, focuses on the advancement of research infrastructure technologies through a collaborative grant mechanism. Eligible applicants mainly include research infras...