Critical elements for energy security of grid and storage technologies

The EU funding opportunity centers on "Critical elements for energy security of grid and storage technologies" within the Horizon Europe framework, particularly marked under the call identifier HORIZON-CL5-2025-01-Two-Stage. This grant falls under the Horizon Research and Innovation Action category, utilizing a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant model. The grant focuses on enhancing energy security associated with energy networks and storage technologies. The application process is structured in two stages, with initial submission deadlines set for September 2, 2025, and a second stage deadline of March 31, 2026.

Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, small and medium-sized enterprises, large enterprises, and partnerships from EU member states and associated countries. Specific attention is paid to fostering collaborations that advance energy technologies. The funding for this grant is designed to support approximately three projects per topic, with a total indicative budget of 15 million euros for one topic, projecting around 5 million euros per grant, and a 9 million euro budget for another topic, with an indicative grant of 3 million euros.

The overarching goal of the grant is to stimulate innovative solutions that enhance energy security by focusing on the sustainability, resilience, and security of grid and storage technologies. The call emphasizes three specific areas: addressing cybersecurity risks in energy systems, promoting circular economy processes for energy technology materials, and managing public perception regarding energy networks and storage solutions.

The projects must focus on one of these areas to ensure a balanced portfolio and effectively tackle the challenges in the energy ecosystem while ensuring uninterrupted and cost-effective access to energy. There are no specific country limitations outlined; eligibility encompasses EU and associated countries, with provisions enabling participation from certain non-EU entities.

Overall, this initiative aims to reinforce Europe's technological leadership in energy security, improve the energy performance of European infrastructures, and support the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the EU energy sector.

The EU Funding Opportunity focuses on "Critical elements for energy security of grid and storage technologies" under the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) program, specifically within Cluster 5 Call 01-2025 (2-stage) (WP 2025) (HORIZON-CL5-2025-01-Two-Stage). It is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) utilizing a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] model. The call is open for submission with a two-stage deadline model. The opening date was May 6, 2025. The deadline for the first stage is September 2, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time, and the deadline for the second stage is March 31, 2026, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of the projects should include: Development of advanced solutions contributing to strengthen the energy security of energy network and/or storage technologies for renewable energy; Contribution to strengthened European technology knowledge base on energy system security; Solutions addressing key aspects improving the technological and cross-cutting value chain aspects for energy security of grid and/or storage technologies are developed; Contribution to improved security of the future European renewables- based energy system as an important factor in its cost-effectiveness and therefore directly impacting European competitiveness; Contribution to the creation of European technological leadership in the energy security field and creation of a knowledge base for European industrial competitiveness.

The scope of the projects should involve the development of novel solutions addressing critical aspects affecting the energy security of energy network and/or storage technologies in respect of uninterrupted and cost-effective access to energy. It emphasizes that energy security of the energy grid and safe storage of variable renewables is directly related to a cost-effective and sustainable European energy system and therefore essential to European competitiveness. The proposals should focus on development of solutions for grid and/or storage technologies, which can highly improve their sustainability, resilience, and overall energy security performance in the European context in the long run. The proposals should take into consideration the results of the Study on clean energy R&I opportunities to ensure European energy security by targeting challenges of distinct energy value chains for 2030 and beyond.

Projects should address precisely only one of the following areas: Area 1: Advanced tools to address cybersecurity risks to 1) energy system transmission and distribution and 2) renewables to storage and storage to energy network interface technologies; Area 2: Increasing circular economy processes, recycling, re-use or substitution of sustainably supplied critical materials and electronics for energy network and storage technologies; Area 3: Sustainability and public perception of energy network and storage technologies as a limiting factor for their required capacity build-up and efficient performance in a secure energy system (e.g., hydropower, CAES storage). Furthermore, a framework for decent working conditions, most notably essential skills, and efficient skills management within the overall energy network and storage system are essential for inclusivity and competitiveness of these systems. They should be addressed as an important transversal value chain component.

The admissibility conditions include proposal page limits and layout as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System. Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used).

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Proposals are expected to clearly address only one of the areas within the scope (area 1, 2 or 3). To ensure a balanced portfolio covering all above areas, grants will be awarded to applications not only in order of ranking but at least also to one project that is the highest ranked within each area, provided that the applications attain all thresholds (and subject to available budget). Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025). Legal and financial set-up of the grants are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA) details are as follows: Application form templates are available in the Submission System, including the Standard application form (HE RIA IA Stage 1). Evaluation form templates will be used with the necessary adaptations, including the Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA and CSA Stage 1). Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide, Lump Sum MGA, and call-specific instructions. A detailed budget table (HE LS) is not needed for Stage 1. Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility, HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. General Annexes, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The budget overview includes two topics: HORIZON-CL5-2025-01-Two-Stage-D2-02 - HORIZON-RIA with a budget of EUR 15,000,000 and an indicative grant amount of around EUR 5,000,000, and HORIZON-CL5-2025-01-Two-Stage-D3-23 - HORIZON-RIA with a budget of EUR 9,000,000 and an indicative grant amount of around EUR 3,000,000. Both are two-stage actions with the same opening and deadline dates. There are 14 partner search announcements available.

To start the submission process, applicants need to access the Electronic Submission Service and select the appropriate type of action and model grant agreement.

Two questions have been answered in the Topic Q&As: It is not obligatory to address both “energy network technologies” and “storage technologies”; addressing only one is sufficient. Li-ion battery storage technologies are within the scope of this topic.

Support is available through the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, ETSI Research Helpdesk, the European Charter for Researchers, and Partner Search.

In summary, this EU funding opportunity aims to bolster the energy security of European energy networks and storage technologies by funding research and innovation projects. These projects should develop advanced solutions that enhance the sustainability, resilience, and overall performance of these technologies. The focus is on addressing critical challenges within the energy value chains, including cybersecurity, circular economy, and public perception. Applicants must choose one of the three specified areas and can receive funding as a lump sum contribution. The initiative seeks to strengthen Europe's technological leadership and industrial competitiveness in the energy sector.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated but can be inferred from the provided documents and the nature of Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Generally, these include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other organizations capable of conducting research and innovation activities. The Enterprise Europe Network is mentioned, suggesting SMEs are particularly encouraged.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) and a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, the mention of "Partner Search" and the general nature of Horizon Europe RIAs suggest that consortia are common and potentially advantageous.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. This indicates that the primary geographic eligibility is for EU and associated countries, with potential exceptions for non-EU countries under specific provisions.

Target Sector: The target sector is energy, specifically focusing on the energy security of energy networks and storage technologies. This includes renewable energy integration, cybersecurity for energy systems, circular economy processes for energy technologies, and public perception of energy network and storage technologies. The call falls under Cluster 5 of Horizon Europe, which is Climate, Energy and Mobility.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the opportunity is targeted towards EU member states and associated countries, with possibilities for non-EU countries under specific conditions.

Project Stage: The project stage is research and innovation actions, suggesting projects should be in the development, validation, or demonstration phase. The focus is on developing novel solutions and strengthening the European technology knowledge base.

Funding Amount: There are two topics: HORIZON-CL5-2025-01-Two-Stage-D2-02 with a budget of EUR 15,000,000 and an indicative grant amount of around EUR 5,000,000, and HORIZON-CL5-2025-01-Two-Stage-D3-23 with a budget of EUR 9,000,000 and an indicative grant amount of around EUR 3,000,000.

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a two-stage submission process. The opening date is 6 May 2025, with a first-stage deadline of 2 September 2025 and a second-stage deadline of 31 March 2026.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process is two-stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants (3 for each topic) compared to the broad scope suggests a competitive process.

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

Summary:

This Horizon Europe Cluster 5 call focuses on enhancing the energy security of energy networks and storage technologies within the European context. The call is structured around two main topics: HORIZON-CL5-2025-01-Two-Stage-D2-02 and HORIZON-CL5-2025-01-Two-Stage-D3-23. The primary goal is to develop innovative solutions that address critical aspects affecting the uninterrupted and cost-effective access to energy, considering the value chains associated with energy grids and storage.

The call targets a range of areas, including cybersecurity risks to energy systems, increasing circular economy processes in energy technologies, and addressing public perception issues related to energy infrastructure. Projects should focus on improving the sustainability, resilience, and overall energy security performance of grid and storage technologies.

Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, SMEs, and large enterprises from EU member states and associated countries, with potential participation from non-EU countries under specific provisions. The funding mechanism is a lump sum grant, and the application process involves a two-stage submission.

The expected outcomes include the development of advanced solutions for energy security, strengthening the European technology knowledge base, improving the security of renewable energy systems, and fostering European technological leadership in the energy security field.

The call emphasizes the importance of considering the results of the Study on clean energy R&I opportunities to ensure European energy security by targeting challenges of distinct energy value chains for 2030 and beyond. Proposals should clearly address only one of the specified areas within the scope to ensure a balanced portfolio.

Overall, this call aims to bolster the energy security of Europe's energy infrastructure through targeted research and innovation actions, contributing to a more sustainable, resilient, and competitive European energy system.