Horizon Standardisation Booster (CSA)

The Horizon Standardisation Booster, categorized as a Coordination and Support Action (CSA) under Horizon Europe, predominantly focuses on enhancing standardization efforts in relation to research and innovation (R&I) within the EU. The grant aims to establish a framework whereby ongoing or completed EU-funded projects can effectively integrate their findings into standardization processes, ensuring that European products meet safety and interoperability requirements in global markets.

Eligible applicants for this funding opportunity encompass a broad spectrum of organizations including standard development organizations, research institutions, universities, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, industrial partners, innovation agencies, and national metrology institutes. The emphasis is placed on existing projects or established consortia of experts in standardization, rather than new formations.

Funding is allocated as a non-repayable grant, specifically structured under a lump-sum model intended for activities involving policy implementation, networking, and capacity building. While the exact funding amounts aren't precisely specified, indicative budgets for related topics within the Horizon Europe initiative range from one million to as much as five million euros, suggesting that funding could vary significantly based on specific project requirements and scopes.

The geographic eligibility extends to entities based in EU member states, the European Economic Area (EEA), candidate countries, and certain associated third countries. Notably, the call encourages participation from countries identified as "Widening countries," which typically exhibit lower research and innovation performance.

The targeted sectors primarily include digital technologies and advanced manufacturing, with a strategic focus on crucial areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and green technologies. The initiative aims to facilitate the adaptation and development of standards pertinent to new industrial needs and technology domains recognized as critical for the EU’s economic security.

Applications are open for submission through a single-stage process, with a deadline set for September 23, 2025. The success rates for this opportunity aren't explicitly outlined, yet traditionally competitive environments in Horizon Europe indicate a potential success rate ranging around 10 to 39%.

Co-funding is not required, indicating that the grant will fully cover eligible project costs. The assistance type includes not only financial aid but also expert guidance and non-monetary support in the form of training and capacity-building workshops.

Overall, the Horizon Standardisation Booster represents a significant initiative within the EU framework, aiming to propel standardization activities within the industrial and technology sectors and ensure that research outcomes effectively translate into practical standards that foster innovation and competitiveness. The initiative's broader goal is to improve the standards landscape in Europe, enhancing the ability of EU-funded projects to contribute meaningfully to the creation and revision of standards that align with the needs of modern industry.

This is a description of the Horizon Standardisation Booster, a Coordination and Support Action (CSA) under the Horizon Europe Programme, specifically the INDUSTRY (HORIZON-CL4-2025-01) call. The primary goal is to enhance the connection between research and innovation (R&I) and standardisation activities to ensure EU products are safe, functional, and interoperable, and to facilitate access to global markets. The action aims to establish a mentoring scheme that provides expert services to European projects, helping them contribute to the creation or revision of standards.

Key aspects of this opportunity include:

Expected Outcomes: The proposals should lead to increased participation of research performers in standardisation, development and adaptation of standards for new industrial needs (especially in critical technology areas), and greater uptake of new technologies via enhanced standardisation.

Scope: The action builds upon the Horizon Standardisation Booster (HS Booster) pilot project (2022-2025) and aligns with the EU Standardisation Strategy. It aims to support beneficiaries, particularly in technology domains identified in the Commission Recommendation on critical technology areas, by testing the relevance of their research results for standardisation. The action emphasizes the development of the HSbooster.eu platform and tools, expansion of the Training Academy, and scaling implementation to the member state level, including national publicly funded R&I projects. The service will assist beneficiaries in engaging with standardisation bodies and contributing to standard creation through various activities.

Eligible Applicants: A wide range of applicants are eligible, including standard development organisations, research and technology organisations (RTOs), universities, private companies, SMEs, industrial partners, innovation agencies, and national metrology institutes. Consortia formed by experts in standardisation are encouraged.

Funding Details: The funding is provided as a lump sum. Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties in the form of grants, up to a maximum of EUR 60,000 per third party.

Important Dates: The call opens on 22 May 2025, and the deadline for submission is 23 September 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

Available Budget and Grant Types:

HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-DIGITAL-61: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Budget: EUR 30,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 5
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-DIGITAL-62: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), Budget: EUR 3,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-60: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), Budget: EUR 1,500,000, Indicative number of grants: 1
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-61: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), Budget: EUR 1,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-62: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), Budget: EUR 2,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-63: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), Budget: EUR 2,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-64: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), Budget: EUR 5,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 5
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-65: HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA), Budget: EUR 3,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-66: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), Budget: EUR 1,500,000, Indicative number of grants: 1
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-MATERIALS-31: HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA), Budget: EUR 10,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-MATERIALS-44: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), Budget: EUR 2,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-MATERIALS-45: HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA), Budget: EUR 28,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-MATERIALS-52: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Budget: EUR 15,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 3
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-MATERIALS-61: HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA), Budget: EUR 24,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 3
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-MATERIALS-62: HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA), Budget: EUR 30,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 4
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-MATERIALS-63: HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA), Budget: EUR 24,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 3
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-MATERIALS-64: HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions (COFUND), Budget: EUR 45,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-01: HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA), Budget: EUR 35,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 6
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-02: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Budget: EUR 35,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 7
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-05: HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA), Budget: EUR 42,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 6
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-31: HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA), Budget: EUR 25,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 3
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-32: HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA), Budget: EUR 25,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 3
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-33: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Budget: EUR 25,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 3
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-34: HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA), Budget: EUR 25,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 3
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-36: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Budget: EUR 24,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 4
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-37: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Budget: EUR 28,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-38: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), Budget: EUR 1,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1
HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-39: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), Budget: EUR 2,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1

Overall, this Horizon Europe call aims to bolster the EU's standardisation efforts by creating a mentoring scheme that supports research and innovation projects in aligning their results with relevant standards, particularly in critical technology areas. It seeks to enhance the impact of EU-funded research, promote the uptake of new technologies, and ensure the competitiveness of European products in the global market. The initiative encourages a wide range of stakeholders to participate and contribute to the development of cutting-edge standards.

Eligible Applicant Types: Eligible applicants include standard development organisations, research and technology organisations (RTOs), universities, private companies, SMEs, industrial partners, innovation agencies and national metrology institutes. The project may benefit from being addressed by a consortium that is formed by experts in standardisation, able to support Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, and other publicly funded project beneficiaries.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Coordination and Support Action (HORIZON-CSA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] model grant agreement. Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties, but this support can only be in the form of grants, with a maximum amount of EUR 60 000 per third party. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity may benefit from being addressed by a consortium that is formed by experts in standardisation, able to support Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, and other publicly funded project beneficiaries.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU member states, associated countries, and potentially non-EU/non-associated countries with specific provisions as detailed in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector: The target sectors include industry, digital technologies, advanced materials, and areas related to the twin transition (digital and green). The primary focus is on standardisation across various technology domains, particularly those identified in the Commission Recommendation on critical technology areas for the EU’s economic security, such as AI and data.

Mentioned Countries: A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries are mentioned as potentially eligible, with specific provisions for funding. The primary geographic focus is the EU.

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on valorisation of existing research results, contributing to the creation or revision of standards, and scaling/implementing standardisation efforts at the member state level. This suggests a focus on development, validation, and demonstration stages, rather than basic research or initial idea phases.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01 call. For the HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-60 topic, the budget is EUR 1 500 000. Other topics within the call have different budget allocations, ranging from EUR 1 000 000 to EUR 45 000 000.

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

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant. They will also receive non-monetary services through the standardisation mentoring scheme, expert services, and access to the HSbooster.eu platform and Training Academy.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly stated, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight. For example, the HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-60 topic aims to award around 1 grant.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly mentioned as a requirement, except for the HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-MATERIALS-64 topic, which is a co-fund action.

This opportunity is a Horizon Europe call (HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01) focused on boosting standardisation activities across various industrial and technological sectors. The primary goal is to bridge the gap between research and innovation (R&I) and the development of European standards, ensuring that EU products are safe, interoperable, and competitive in global markets. The call aims to establish a sustainable mentoring scheme that provides expert services to European projects, helping them to valorise their research results through contributions to new or revised standards.

The call is structured around several topics, each with its specific budget and objectives, covering areas such as digital technologies, advanced materials, and the twin transition (digital and green). Eligible applicants include a wide range of organisations, from standard development bodies and research institutions to private companies and SMEs. Consortia of experts in standardisation are particularly encouraged.

Funding will be provided as lump sum grants, and beneficiaries may also provide financial support to third parties (up to EUR 60 000 per third party). The call emphasises the importance of early integration of standardisation in R&I projects and aims to scale up successful initiatives like the Horizon Standardisation Booster (HS Booster) pilot. The ultimate goal is to increase the number of European standards and promote the uptake of new technologies through enhanced standardisation activities at both EU and member state levels.