Disruptive Technologies and Innovative Concepts for Energy Saving Onboard of long-distance ships (ZEWT Partnership)

The grant opportunity titled "Disruptive Technologies and Innovative Concepts for Energy Saving Onboard of long-distance ships" is part of the Horizon Europe program, specifically within Cluster 5, which focuses on Climate, Energy, and Mobility. It aims to develop innovative solutions that reduce energy consumption in maritime transport by at least 25% compared to 2008 levels and operates under the Zero Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT) Partnership. This grant is classified as a Horizon Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) with funding provided as a lump sum through HORIZON-AG-LS. The total budget allocated for this project is €15 million, with three grants expected to be awarded, each valued at approximately €5 million. The planned opening date for applications is December 18, 2025, with a two-stage submission process involving deadlines on April 14, 2026, for stage one and October 8, 2026, for stage two. Eligible applicants include a range of legal entities from the EU and EEA, such as research institutions, universities, SMEs, startups, and companies operating in the maritime sector, with a preference for those located in or manufacturing within these regions. The aim is to foster collaboration across various stakeholders in the maritime value chain, including shipyards and technology providers. The call emphasizes the development of technologies at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4-5, indicating projects should focus on development and demonstration rather than basic research or commercialization. Proposals are expected to integrate advanced materials, energy efficiency solutions, and digital optimization technologies like AI and digital twins. Applications must pass two stages, with the first stage involving a blind evaluation process that keeps applicants anonymous during initial reviews. This two-stage review process is designed to ensure the rigorous evaluation of promising concepts. There is no explicit co-funding requirement for this grant, although participants are encouraged to demonstrate commitment from industry partners. While specific success rates are not published for this call, success rates in similar Horizon Europe initiatives typically range from 10-39%. Overall, this call presents a significant opportunity for eligible entities to advance innovative approaches to reducing the environmental impact of long-distance shipping, aligning with broader EU climate goals and fostering technological advancements in the maritime industry.

This is a Horizon Europe call for proposals under the MOBILITY call (HORIZON-CL5-2026-06-Two-Stage) focusing on Disruptive Technologies and Innovative Concepts for Energy Saving Onboard of long-distance ships, specifically within the Zero Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT) Partnership. It is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) and uses the HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] model. The deadline model is two-stage. The planned opening date is 18 December 2025, with deadline dates of 14 April 2026 (17:00:00 Brussels time) and 08 October 2026 (17:00:00 Brussels time).

The expected outcomes of the projects should contribute to:Development of novel and disruptive technologies and innovative concepts that demonstrate at least 25% energy savings for long distance shipping, compared to 2008 levels. Establishment of a methodology for assessing the energy savings from the proposed solutions, considering the implementation of the IMO GHG strategy and of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation. Proven scalability and replicability of the developed technologies and concepts to various ship types, operational profiles and navigational routes. Assessment of the economic viability, environmental and climate impacts of the technologies and innovative concepts. Definition of implications and impacts of the proposed solutions regarding safety and operational aspects, also addressing competences and skills issues for the adoption and operation of such technologies. Consideration of AI-based and digital twin features for optimisation and energy management aspects. Relevant improvements should not be considered as part of the at least 25% energy savings target.

The scope of the call is to reduce energy consumption of long-distance shipping to achieve sustainable worldwide trade. It aims to develop disruptive technologies, advanced materials, and innovative concepts that can significantly reduce energy consumption of long-distance shipping. The objective is to support solutions for propulsion and non-propulsion energy consumption that aim to achieve at least 25% energy savings in long distance shipping as compared to 2008 levels, through the development and integration of standalone solutions. These technologies include (but are not limited to) active or passive increased performance solutions, novel propulsion systems, augmented propulsion technologies capitalizing also on ship motions, hull performance enhancements and the use of advanced materials which can further enhance energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of vessels. Any fuel-related proposals should only consider renewable low and zero-carbon fuels. These technologies and concepts should be applicable to various types of ships, including ro-pax, container ships, bulk carriers, and tankers.

Proposals are expected to address the following aspects:Development and demonstration at TRL 4-5 of novel, high-uncertainty but high-reward technologies that significantly reduce energy consumption in long distance shipping. Development of various ship concepts, conducting replication studies for different case scenarios and modelling the real overall energy savings of the solutions and concepts developed. Development of methodologies measuring the impact of the energy efficiency achieved on the GHG intensity and the impact on air pollution of the energy used for propulsion specifically for long distance shipping, with a focus on emission reductions, also facilitating the introduction of such technologies under the scope of LCA guidelines and FuelEU Maritime, and improving the EEDI, EEXI and CII performance where relevant. Consideration of links with digital twin and AI-based optimisation aspects for the considered technologies (e.g., adaptive and model-predictive control), including the necessary sensing systems, to expand the system’s future capacities. Modelling the economic viability of the developed technologies, considering initial investment, operational savings, maintenance costs, and potential financial incentives, to assess the economic feasibility while also facilitating decision-making in the design process. Assessment of the safety and environmental implications of the solutions, including technical and operational risks, possible impacts to ships, ports and other land infrastructure. Ensuring appropriate sustainability of the action outputs by elaborating on a technology development roadmap and by exploring business cases.

Proposals are expected to explain the contribution of their objectives, results, IP management and exploitation strategy to the EU added value creation and strategic autonomy throughout the supply and value chain, including competitiveness of the EU waterborne industry, enhancement of the EU’s R&I capacity, technological know-how capabilities and human capital, and resilience of the EU industrial and manufacturing base. Proposals are encouraged to include synergies with shipyards, equipment manufacturers and providers, including start-ups and SMEs, located and/or manufacturing in the EU and EEA. This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnership on ‘Zero Emission Waterborne Transport’ (ZEWT). Projects resulting from this topic will be expected to report on results to the European Partnership ‘Zero Emission Waterborne Transport’ (ZEWT) in support of the monitoring of its KPIs.

General conditions include admissibility conditions regarding proposal page limits and layout, eligible countries, other eligible conditions, financial and operational capacity and exclusion, evaluation and award criteria, submission and evaluation processes, indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement, and legal and financial set-up of the grants. Applicants submitting a proposal for a blind evaluation must not disclose their organisation names, acronyms, logos nor names of personnel in the proposal abstract and Part B of their first-stage application. 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. The first-stage proposals of this topic will be evaluated blindly. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Specific conditions state that this is not applicable.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA) information is available in the Submission System. The standard application form is HE RIA IA Stage 1 BLIND. The standard evaluation form is HE RIA, IA and CSA Stage 1 BLIND. Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide, Lump Sum MGA, Detailed budget table (HE LS), and Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?".

Additional documents include:HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. 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 with a budget of €15,000,000 and an indicative number of 3 grants, and HORIZON-CL5-2026-06-Two-Stage-D5-19 with a budget of €7,500,000 and an indicative number of 2 grants.

There are 5 partner search announcements.

The submission system is planned to be opened on the date stated on the topic header.

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 and ETSI Research Helpdesk, and the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to significantly reduce energy consumption in long-distance shipping by funding research and innovation projects that develop and demonstrate disruptive technologies and concepts. The focus is on achieving at least a 25% energy saving compared to 2008 levels through standalone solutions applicable to various ship types and considering renewable low and zero-carbon fuels. The call encourages synergies with EU-based shipyards, equipment manufacturers, and SMEs, and emphasizes the importance of EU added value, strategic autonomy, and the competitiveness of the European waterborne industry. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and the evaluation process involves a two-stage blind review. The call is part of the Zero Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT) Partnership and requires projects to report on their results to support the partnership's KPIs.

Eligible Applicant Types:The call encourages synergies with shipyards, equipment manufacturers and providers, including start-ups and SMEs, located and/or manufacturing in the EU and EEA. This suggests that startups, SMEs, and potentially larger enterprises are eligible. The general conditions refer to Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, which likely contains further details on eligible countries and organizations. The mention of LEARs (Legal Entity Appointed Representatives) also suggests that research institutions and other formally recognized entities can apply.

Funding Type:The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] under the HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA).

Consortium Requirement:The call encourages synergies and partner searches, implying that a consortium is preferred, although it is not explicitly stated whether a single applicant is ineligible. The partner search announcements further suggest that consortia are expected.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The call explicitly mentions the EU and EEA, indicating that entities located and/or manufacturing in these regions are particularly encouraged. However, the general conditions also state that a number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries have made specific provisions for funding their participants in Horizon Europe projects, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. Therefore, eligibility extends beyond the EU/EEA, but with specific conditions for non-associated countries.

Target Sector:The primary target sector is the waterborne transport industry, with a specific focus on reducing energy consumption in long-distance shipping. This includes aspects of energy, environment, climate, and advanced materials. The call also touches upon digital technologies like AI and digital twins for optimization and energy management.

Mentioned Countries:The call explicitly mentions the EU and EEA (European Economic Area). It also refers to non-EU/non-Associated Countries that may have specific provisions for funding.

Project Stage:The call specifies a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4-5 for the technologies to be developed and demonstrated. This indicates that the project stage should be at the development and validation stage, moving towards demonstration.

Funding Amount:There are two topics mentioned:

HORIZON-CL5 has a budget of €15,000,000 with an indicative grant amount of around €5,000,000. Three grants are expected to be awarded.

HORIZON-CL5-2026-06-Two-Stage-D5-19 has a budget of €7,500,000 with an indicative grant amount of €3,500,000 to €4,000,000. Two grants are expected to be awarded.

Application Type:The application type is a two-stage open call, as indicated by the "Two-Stage" label in the topic descriptions and the "two-stage" deadline model. The first stage involves a blind evaluation.

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

Application Stages:The application process is explicitly stated to be two-stage.

Success Rates:The success rates are not explicitly stated, but the indicative number of grants can be used to estimate the success rate based on the number of contributions.

Co-funding Requirement:The call does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement. However, it is important to consult the detailed rules of the Horizon Europe program and the specific call conditions to confirm this.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call, part of the MOBILITY program (HORIZON-CL5-2026-06-Two-Stage), aims to significantly reduce energy consumption in long-distance shipping through the development and integration of disruptive technologies and innovative concepts. The call is structured around two specific topics, each with its own budget and indicative grant size. The primary goal is to achieve at least a 25% energy saving compared to 2008 levels, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly shipping industry.

The call targets a wide range of applicants, including startups, SMEs, shipyards, equipment manufacturers, research institutions, and other entities involved in the waterborne transport sector. While entities from the EU and EEA are particularly encouraged, the call is also open to participants from non-EU/non-Associated Countries under specific conditions.

Projects should focus on developing and demonstrating technologies at TRL 4-5, including active or passive performance solutions, novel propulsion systems, hull performance enhancements, and advanced materials. Proposals should also consider the economic viability, environmental impact, and safety implications of the proposed solutions, as well as their contribution to EU added value and strategic autonomy.

The application process is two-stage, with the first stage involving a blind evaluation. Funding is provided as a lump sum grant. The call implements the co-programmed European Partnership on ‘Zero Emission Waterborne Transport’ (ZEWT), and successful projects will be expected to report results to the ZEWT partnership.