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 expected outcomes of funded projects include:Safer and more sustainable PFAS alternatives for industries, new knowledge about PFAS alternatives for regulatory bodies, support for EU strategies and legislation, and demonstration of the SSbD framework's applicability.

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:

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-MATERIALS-42-two-stage:€30,000,000, around 5 grants

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-MATERIALS-43-two-stage:€30,000,000, around 5 grants

HORIZON-CL4:€30,000,000, around 4 grants

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-TWIN-TRANSITION-11-two-stage:€13,000,000, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-TWIN-TRANSITION-21-two-stage:€10,000,000, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-TWIN-TRANSITION-35-two-stage:€48,000,000, around 5 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.

Eligible Applicant Types:The opportunity is open to a wide range of applicants, including but not limited to industries, research organizations, regulatory agencies, Member States, associated countries, and experts in Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH). The call emphasizes the involvement of all actors along the value chain, suggesting that SMEs, large enterprises, and other relevant stakeholders are eligible.

Funding Type:The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, under the HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) framework.

Consortium Requirement:The opportunity requires a consortium of multiple applicants. The call emphasizes the involvement of all actors along the value chain and multidisciplinary research activities, implying that a single applicant would likely not possess the necessary expertise and resources.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The primary geographic eligibility focuses on EU Member States and associated countries. However, the call also mentions that 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. International collaboration is encouraged.

Target Sector:The program targets several sectors, including: Electronics, electrical appliances and grids, Construction technologies, Technical textiles, Automotive parts, Chemicals and Materials. The primary focus is on developing safe and sustainable alternatives to Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).

Mentioned Countries:No specific countries are mentioned, but the call refers to EU Member States and associated countries. It also mentions non-EU/non-Associated Countries with specific funding provisions and encourages international collaboration.

Project Stage:The expected maturity of the project is innovation and demonstration. The call aims to make safer alternatives to PFAS available to industries, implying a need for projects that are beyond the initial research phase and closer to practical application and market readiness. The call also mentions the need for a business case and exploitation strategy, further indicating a focus on projects with commercialization potential.

Funding Amount:The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from €10,000,000 to €48,000,000. The indicative number of grants per topic ranges from 2 to 5.

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-MATERIALS-42-two-stage:€30,000,000, approximately €6,000,000 per grant, 5 grants

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-MATERIALS-43-two-stage:€30,000,000, approximately €6,000,000 per grant, 5 grants

HORIZON-CL4:€30,000,000, approximately €7,000,000 per grant, 4 grants

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-TWIN-TRANSITION-11-two-stage:€13,000,000, approximately €6,500,000 per grant, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-TWIN-TRANSITION-21-two-stage:€10,000,000, approximately €5,000,000 per grant, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-TWIN-TRANSITION-35-two-stage:€48,000,000, 8,000,000 to €12,000,000 per grant, 5 grants

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

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

Application Stages:The application process involves two stages.

Success Rates:The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants provides some insight. For example, a topic with a budget of €30,000,000 and an indicative number of 5 grants suggests a relatively competitive process.

Co-funding Requirement:The information does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement. However, given that it is an Innovation Action, some level of commitment and investment from the participating industries might be expected.

Summary:This Horizon Europe call focuses on the development of safe and sustainable alternatives to PFAS across various industrial applications. PFAS, widely used for their technical properties, pose significant environmental and health risks, leading to increasing regulatory pressure. The call invites consortia to propose innovative solutions that replace PFAS with safer alternatives, adhering to the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework. Projects should address at least one industrial application, such as electronics, construction, textiles, or automotive, and involve all actors along the value chain to ensure market relevance. Multidisciplinary research is crucial, encompassing technological, socio-economic, and health impact analyses. International collaboration is encouraged, and projects should align with EU strategies and policies, contributing to the Strategic Research and Innovation Plan for chemicals and materials. The call operates under a two-stage submission process, with funding provided as a lump sum grant. This initiative aims to foster innovation, protect human health and the environment, and support the competitiveness of EU industries by promoting the adoption of safer and more sustainable materials.