Development of safe and sustainable by design alternatives to Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) (IA)

The grant opportunity is part of Horizon Europe, focusing on the development of safe and sustainable alternatives to Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). This initiative is categorized under the HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-MATERIALS program within the framework of Horizon Innovation Actions, which promotes collaborative research and development projects across various sectors. Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations such as universities, research institutes, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), larger enterprises, and public-private partnerships. The call emphasizes a collaborative approach along the entire value chain, suggesting that submissions are likely to require a consortium of partners. The funding type is a lump sum grant that provides non-repayable financial support for projects meeting the sought objectives. Geographic eligibility encompasses EU member states, associated countries, and potentially extends to international partners, encouraging global collaboration. The target sector specifically addresses advanced materials and industrial applications that can replace harmful PFAS, including fields such as electronics, construction technologies, technical textiles, and automotive parts. The applications should also align with concepts of environmental sustainability and the circular economy, supporting EU policies on chemical safety and pollution reduction. The project stage indicated for proposals should be at the innovation and demonstration levels, with an emphasis on practical application and market readiness, rather than fundamental research. Funded projects are expected to contribute to an understanding of PFAS alternatives and support the implementation of the Safe and Sustainable by Design framework. Funding ranges are anticipated to be between €1 million to €12 million, depending on the specific topic area, with a total budget of €30 million set for multiple projects under this call. The application process is structured in two stages, with the first stage deadline set for 23 September 2025 and the second stage due by 14 April 2026. Although the success rates are not explicitly stated, the competitive nature of the grants suggests they are between 10% to 39%, a common window for Horizon Europe funding. While a co-funding requirement is likely typical, specific details were not disclosed. In summary, this Horizon Europe grant is aimed at fostering innovation that leads to safer, more sustainable alternatives to PFAS, addressing both environmental and public health concerns. It invites multidisciplinary collaborations, adheres to EU legislative goals, and offers significant funding opportunities for applicable projects through a two-stage application process. The final submission dates for proposals are critical for interested parties to note as they prepare their applications.

This is a Horizon Europe call for proposals under the INDUSTRY two-stage call, specifically targeting the development of safe and sustainable alternatives to Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). The call, identified as HORIZON-CL4, seeks to fund projects that contribute to making safer and more sustainable PFAS alternatives available to industries, providing new knowledge about these alternatives to regulatory bodies, supporting EU strategies and legislation, and demonstrating the applicability of the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework.

The scope of the call focuses on developing new chemical substances or technologies to replace existing PFAS in various industrial applications, including electronics, construction technologies, technical textiles, and automotive parts. Projects should involve actors along the value chain and address multidisciplinary research activities, such as applying the SSbD framework, conducting technological and socio-economic analyses, testing novel PFAS-free materials, identifying substitution barriers, proposing solutions for adapting production lines, and communicating the benefits of PFAS alternatives to stakeholders and citizens.

The call encourages collaboration with Open Innovation Test Beds (OITBs) and international partners, as well as cooperation with other relevant Horizon Europe topics and Joint Undertakings. Proposals should include a business case and exploitation strategy and indicate contributions to the Strategic Research and Innovation Plan for chemicals and materials.

The call is a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) and uses the HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] model. It is a two-stage submission process, with the first deadline on 23 September 2025 and the second on 14 April 2026. The opening date for submissions is 22 May 2025.

The budget overview indicates several related topics under the same call, each with its own budget and indicative number of grants:

General conditions for participation include admissibility conditions related to proposal page limits and layout, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity, and exclusion criteria. The evaluation and award process involves award criteria, scoring, thresholds, submission and evaluation processes, and an indicative timeline. Legal and financial aspects are governed by the lump sum funding model.

Applicants are advised to consult various guidance documents, including the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, and FAQs. Support services such as the Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points, and the Enterprise Europe Network are also available. Partner search announcements are provided to facilitate collaboration among potential applicants.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to stimulate research and innovation in the development of safe and sustainable alternatives to PFAS, addressing environmental and health concerns while supporting the competitiveness of European industries. It encourages multidisciplinary projects with a strong emphasis on the SSbD framework, value chain involvement, and international collaboration. The call provides funding opportunities for both research and innovation actions, with a two-stage submission process and a lump sum funding model.