Efficient energy input from renewable sources and energy management in the process industries (IA) (Processes4Planet and Innovative Advanced Materials...

The funding opportunity highlighted is HORIZON-CL4-2027-02-MAT-PROD-32-two-stage, aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and management in the process industries through renewable energy sources under Horizon Europe's Research and Innovation Actions. The overall budget for this initiative is set at €52.5 million, allocating anticipated grants between €7 million and €9 million for around six projects.

Applications are invited through a two-stage process starting on September 22, 2026, with the first submission deadline on February 2, 2027, and the second stage on September 2, 2027. The focus of the projects is on reducing CO2 emissions from energy-intensive processes by at least 20%, seeking solutions through electrification, improved energy efficiency, and novel storage technologies for both low/medium and high-temperature processes.

The eligible applicants for this opportunity include universities, research institutions, SMEs, large corporations, and other entities capable of conducting relevant research or development activities, with a requirement for applications to be presented as a consortium of at least three independent entities from different countries, primarily within the EU and Associated Countries. Non-associated third-country entities may participate under certain conditions.

The application type is characterized as an open call with two distinct stages. The first stage involves a blind evaluation where applicants must not disclose any identifying details, promoting impartial assessment. The success rates for these kinds of EU grants typically vary but could be between 10% and 39%, reflecting the competitiveness of the funding landscape.

The call encourages projects that will demonstrate innovative approaches at pilot scale in real industrial environments. It calls for advancements in areas such as energy integration, high-performance materials, and energy system management, emphasizing the need for a solid business case and an exploitation strategy for the proposals.

Furthermore, while the Horizon Europe grants typically could cover 100% of eligible costs, applicants are encouraged to seek additional funding sources for scaling and deployment, although co-funding is not a formal requirement.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call promotes collaborative international efforts aimed at decarbonizing the process industry through cutting-edge renewable energy technologies, necessitating a collective approach from various stakeholders to drive impactful solutions in energy management and production processes.

The funding opportunity is HORIZON-CL4-2027-02-MAT-PROD-32-two-stage, titled "Efficient energy input from renewable sources and energy management in the process industries (IA) (Processes4Planet and Innovative Advanced Materials for the EU partnerships)". It falls under the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) program, specifically the INDUSTRY-two-stage (HORIZON-CL4-2027-02-two-stage) call. The type of action is HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions), and the Model Grant Agreement (MGA) is a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]. This is a forthcoming opportunity with a two-stage deadline model. The planned opening date is 22 September 2026. The deadline dates are 02 February 2027 at 17:00:00 Brussels time and 02 September 2027 at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcome is a significant decarbonisation of processes, measured by the reduction of GHG emissions from the overall system, with broad applicability and economic viability. It aims to facilitate the transition from fossil-based energy inputs for low/medium thermal energy demands by introducing renewable-based alternatives and heat upgrading, and for high-temperature processes, by innovative technologies for electrified and hybrid high-temperature processes, and high temperature energy storage. It also aims to boost clean energy usage through innovative advanced materials, system concepts and technologies for energy integration and energy storage, supporting resilience against energy supply variations, and to combine significant energy savings and integrated management of energy systems and production processes.

The scope of this topic is to address the significant CO2 emissions from energy inputs in process industries. The goal is to reduce the CO2 footprint by at least 20% through measures such as electrification, renewable energy sources, lowering energy demand, increasing energy efficiency, and energy integration. Projects should consider the fluctuation of renewable energy sources and develop solutions that aim for energy efficiency and include novel storage technologies. Pure demand-side management is not within the scope. Sustainable hybrid solutions are encouraged where full electrification is not feasible, such as using solar heat, geothermal heat, heat pumps, resistive or induction heating, and electric boilers for preheating processes. Research and innovation in safe and sustainable innovative advanced materials for energy storage, such as phase change materials and heat storage via chemical energy carriers beyond E-fuels, are also encouraged.

Proposals should address several of the following: advancements in the use of energy from renewable sources in production processes with improved energy efficiency; integrated energy systems with novel storage elements; solutions for low/medium temperature (100 - 500 °C) energy inputs in energy intensive industries including hybrid solutions; solutions for high temperature (> 500 °C) energy inputs in energy intensive industries, including high temperature electricity driven processes, and high temperature energy storage; application of high-performance insulation materials and new innovative advanced materials that can improve heat capture, storage, and retrieval, particularly for scalable high-temperature applications. Such materials should minimize the use of critical raw material, enabling effective recycling.

Projects should include demonstrations at pilot scale, preferably in real industrial environments. Proposals related to innovative advanced materials development should address the most relevant gaps to focus on in the frame from materials design to technology deployment and ensure adequate feedback loops between different steps to drive forward innovative solutions which can be easily deployed. The inclusion of a GHG avoidance methodology is recommended. Proposals should include a business case and exploitation strategy, including preliminary plans for scalability, commercialisation and deployment, and outline societal- and environmental impact as well as implications for the workplace. This topic implements the co-programmed European partnerships Processes4Planet and Innovative Advanced Materials for the EU.

Regarding admissibility conditions, 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. The page limit in part B of the General Annexes is exceptionally extended by 3 pages (for second-stage proposals) to include a business case and exploitation strategy. Proposal page limits and layout are described in 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. Other eligible conditions are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

The first-stage proposals of this topic will be evaluated blindly, as 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.

The granting authority may, up to 4 years after the end of the action, object to a transfer of ownership or to the exclusive licensing of results, as set out in the specific provision of Annex 5. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021. 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 form templates are available in the Submission System, including a standard application form (HE RIA, IA) and a standard application form (HE RIA IA Stage 1 BLIND). Evaluation form templates will be used with the necessary adaptations, including a standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) and a standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA and CSA Stage 1 BLIND). Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide. Model Grant Agreements (MGA) include a Lump Sum MGA. Call-specific instructions include a detailed budget table (HE LS), information on financial support to third parties (HE), information on clinical studies (HE), and guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?".

Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 7. Digital, Industry and Space, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 14. Horizontal Activities, 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 for HORIZON-CL4-2027-02-DIGITAL-EMERGING-52-two-stage is 30,000,000 EUR, with contributions ranging from 4,000,000 to 6,000,000 EUR, and an indicative number of 5 grants. The budget for HORIZON-CL4-2027-02-MAT-PROD-32-two-stage is 52,500,000 EUR, with contributions ranging from 7,000,000 to 9,000,000 EUR, and an indicative number of 6 grants.

LEARs, Account Administrators or self-registrants can publish partner requests for open and forthcoming topics. The submission system is planned to be opened on the date stated on the topic header.

Applicants are advised to read carefully all provisions before preparing their application. The Online Manual is a guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing the grant. The Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains detailed guidance on the structure, budget and political priorities of Horizon Europe. The Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ provides answers to frequently asked questions. The Research Enquiry Service can answer questions about European research. National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance and assistance. The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) offers advice to businesses, especially SMEs. The IT Helpdesk can assist with technical questions. The European IPR Helpdesk assists on intellectual property issues. CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk advise on standardisation. The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment outline the roles and responsibilities of researchers. Partner Search helps find partner organisations.

In summary, this Horizon Europe funding opportunity aims to significantly reduce CO2 emissions from process industries by promoting the use of renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and developing innovative energy storage technologies and advanced materials. The call encourages projects that demonstrate solutions at pilot scale in real industrial environments and that include a strong business case and exploitation strategy. It is a two-stage application process with specific requirements for blind evaluation in the first stage. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and successful projects are expected to contribute to the decarbonisation of the process industry and the strengthening of the European industrial decarbonisation technology supply chain.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the nature of Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), eligible applicants can include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other organizations capable of conducting research and innovation activities. Participation of industrial partners is strongly encouraged, especially for pilot-scale demonstrations in real industrial environments.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (RIA) grant. The eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Consortium Requirement: While not explicitly stated, the call encourages projects that include demonstrations at pilot scale, preferably in real industrial environments, suggesting that a consortium approach involving industry partners and research organizations is beneficial. Partner search announcements are available, indicating that consortia are common.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is 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 suggests that the primary focus is on EU and associated countries, with possibilities for participation from non-EU countries under specific conditions.

Target Sector: The target sector is focused on energy, environment, manufacturing, and advanced materials, specifically targeting the process industries. The program aims to reduce the CO2 footprint of these industries through technological innovations related to electrification, renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, energy integration, and novel storage technologies.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the opportunity is within the Horizon Europe framework, which generally includes EU member states and associated countries. The possibility of non-EU/non-Associated Countries participating with specific funding provisions is mentioned.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is at the demonstration and validation stage, with projects expected to include demonstrations at pilot scale, preferably in real industrial environments. The scope also includes research and innovation in advanced materials, suggesting activities from development to demonstration.

Funding Amount: The funding range for HORIZON-CL4-2027-02-MAT-PROD-32-two-stage is between €7,000,000 to €9,000,000. The total budget for this topic is €52,500,000, with an indicative number of 6 grants.

Application Type: The application type is a two-stage open call. The planned opening date is 22 September 2026, with deadlines on 02 February 2027 and 02 September 2027.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant to support their research and innovation activities.

Application Stages: The application process is two-stage. In the first stage, proposals will be evaluated blindly.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly stated, but given the budget of €52,500,000 and an indicative number of 6 grants, the competition is likely to be significant, suggesting a success rate below 10%.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement. However, proposals should include a business case and exploitation strategy, indicating plans for scalability, commercialization, and deployment, including possible private and public funding sources, which may imply the need for attracting further investment.

This Horizon Europe call, HORIZON-CL4-2027-02-MAT-PROD-32-two-stage, focuses on "Efficient energy input from renewable sources and energy management in the process industries." It aims to significantly reduce the CO2 footprint of process industries by at least 20% through technological innovations. The call encourages projects that develop and demonstrate solutions for integrating renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and implementing novel energy storage technologies. It targets both low/medium and high-temperature processes, promoting electrification, hybrid solutions, and the use of advanced materials for energy capture, storage, and retrieval. Projects should include pilot-scale demonstrations in real industrial environments and present a clear business case and exploitation strategy. The call is structured in two stages, with the first stage involving a blind evaluation. Funding is provided as a lump sum grant, and consortia are encouraged to apply, bringing together research organizations and industrial partners to drive industrial decarbonization and enhance the European supply chain in this sector. The call implements the co-programmed European partnerships Processes4Planet and Innovative Advanced Materials for the EU.