Integrating circularity in LCA-based modelling frameworks for renovation of buildings (Built4People Partnership)

This opportunity pertains to the Horizon Europe initiative, specifically the call HORIZON-CL5 titled "Integrating circularity in LCA-based modelling frameworks for renovation of buildings," under the Built4People Partnership. It is classified as a Horizon Innovation Action with a budget of €27 million, expecting to fund four grants, each amounting to €6,750,000. The submission process is single-stage, with the opening date set for May 5, 2027, and the deadline for proposals on September 15, 2027. Eligible applicants for this grant include a variety of organizations such as SMEs, large enterprises, research institutions, and universities from EU member states, EEA countries, and associated countries. However, entities from China are specifically excluded from participation. The opportunity requires that applicant consortiums apply the developed modelling frameworks to at least three real-life buildings located in various climatic regions across eligible member states or associated countries. The main focus of the call is to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability in the building sector by incorporating circular economy principles into life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies. Projects should focus on practices such as reuse, recycling, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and repurposing materials to achieve net-zero whole-life carbon buildings. Significantly, the proposals must demonstrate real-world applications by targeting the demonstration and validation stage of project maturity, showcasing effective circularity strategies. The funding will be provided as a lump sum rather than through a reimbursement model, with mandatory co-funding requirements reflecting general Horizon Europe practices, which typically stipulate that the participating consortiums should secure additional matching funds from other sources. In terms of expected outcomes, the funded projects are anticipated to present measurable reductions in material flows and greenhouse gas emissions in building renovations and improve the efficiency and sustainability of the built environment. The overall impact aligns with broader EU objectives for climate neutrality and contributes to the strategic energy technology plans laid out for the climate, energy, and mobility sectors. The call encourages the establishment of diverse consortia, emphasizing innovation in building renovation processes that foster sustainable development, improve the quality of life, and contribute beneficially to the environment while reinforcing the EU’s commitment to a climate-resilient infrastructure.

This is a Horizon Europe call for proposals under the BATTERIES and ENERGY (HORIZON-CL5-2027-05) call, specifically targeting the topic HORIZON-CL5: Integrating circularity in LCA-based modelling frameworks for renovation of buildings (Built4People Partnership). It is a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) with a single-stage deadline model.

The planned opening date is 05 May 2027, and the deadline for submission is 15 September 2027, 17:00:00 Brussels time. The total budget for this topic is €27,000,000, with an indicative number of 4 grants to be awarded, averaging around €6,750,000 per grant.

The expected outcomes of projects funded under this topic are:

Demonstration of measurable reductions in material flows, life cycle energy use, and GHG emissions in building renovations that integrate circularity strategies to contribute to achieving net-zero whole life carbon buildings.

A more robust approach to current modelling frameworks to comprehensively reflect the complexity of circularity strategies in life cycle assessments at the building scale.

The scope of the call focuses on integrating circularity strategies into building renovations to reduce environmental impacts and improve resource efficiency. It acknowledges the complexity of circularity strategies like material reuse and recycling and the need for detailed modelling frameworks that integrate circularity assessment with life cycle assessment (LCA) to support net-zero whole-life carbon buildings.

Proposals should address the following:

Develop a comprehensive modelling framework that integrates circularity assessment in the life cycle, covering a cradle-to-cradle system boundary.

Apply the developed modelling framework to at least three real-life buildings in different climatic regions within Member States or Associated Countries. These buildings should have renovation projects that have adopted ambitious circularity strategies to achieve zero whole-life carbon. Circularity strategies should include reuse and/or recycle, as well as at least one of the following: reduce, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, and repurpose.

Assess the embodied emissions (from materials, products, and construction processes) and operational emissions (from energy use for HVAC, DHW, electrical appliances, lighting) of the real-life buildings subjected to renovations during their entire life cycle, referencing life cycle stages in EN 15978.

This topic is part of the co-programmed European Partnership on ‘People-centric sustainable built environment’ (Built4People). Projects are expected to contribute to the objectives of Built4People, transfer knowledge to its network of innovation clusters, and report on results in support of monitoring Built4People KPIs.

The destination of this call is "Using energy in buildings and industry in an efficient, affordable and sustainable way (2026-27)". This destination targets the energy demand side, focusing on more efficient energy use in buildings and industry. It contributes to the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) and its implementation working groups. It aligns with the Strategic Plan’s Key Strategic Orientations: ‘Green transition’, ‘Digital transition’, and ‘A more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe’. The overall expected impact is to contribute to using energy in buildings and industry efficiently, affordably, and sustainably.

The main impacts to be generated are:

Highly energy-efficient and climate-neutral European building stock.

Improved energy performance of the European building stock, contributing to EU energy security and reduced climate and environmental impact.

Cost-efficient, affordable, and less disruptive energy renovation and construction.

Buildings increasingly interacting with users, the energy system, and their environment in an integrated, resilient, secure, smart, and flexible manner.

More climate-resilient, accessible, inclusive buildings and built environments that deliver multiple benefits, improving the quality of life, health, and well-being for all users.

Improved energy efficiency of EU energy-intensive industries, reduced fossil fuel consumption and GHG emissions through electrification, renewable energy, and heat recovery, preserving global competitiveness.

Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) and Innovation Actions (IAs) under this destination.

General conditions for participation include:

Admissibility Conditions:Proposal page limit and layout as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form.

Eligible Countries:As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific provisions may apply to non-EU/non-Associated Countries.

Other Eligible Conditions:If projects use satellite data, they must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion:As described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Evaluation and award:Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are 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.

Legal and financial set-up of the grants:The granting authority may object to a transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of results for up to 4 years after the action's end. Eligible costs will be in the form of a lump sum.

Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA) information:

Application form templates are available in the Submission System (Standard application form HE RIA, IA).

Evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations (Standard evaluation form HE RIA, IA).

Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide.

Model Grant Agreements (MGA) include the Lump Sum MGA.

Call-specific instructions and a detailed budget table (HE LS) are available.

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

Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement

There are 6 partner search announcements available. LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants can publish partner requests.

The submission system is planned to open on the date stated in the topic header.

Support resources include 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, ETSI Research Helpdesk, the European Charter for Researchers, and Partner Search.

In summary, this funding opportunity aims to foster innovation in building renovation by promoting circularity and developing advanced modelling frameworks. It seeks to reduce the environmental impact of buildings and contribute to a more sustainable and energy-efficient future, aligning with broader EU goals for green transition and climate neutrality. The call encourages collaborative projects that involve real-world applications and knowledge transfer to relevant stakeholders.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the nature of Horizon Europe Innovation Actions, they are likely to include a mix of legal entities such as universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other organizations capable of conducting research and innovation activities related to the built environment. The call is open to entities from Member States and Associated Countries. Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in both Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) and Innovation Actions (IAs) falling under this destination.

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

Consortium Requirement:The text does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, given the scope of the projects and the need to apply the developed modelling framework to at least three real-life buildings in different climatic regions in different Member States or Associated Countries, a consortium is highly probable. Partner search announcements are available, suggesting that consortia are expected.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States and Associated Countries. 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.

Target Sector:The target sector is the built environment, focusing on energy efficiency in buildings and industry, circularity in building renovations, climate, energy, and mobility. It also touches upon cleantech and innovation related to sustainable buildings.

Mentioned Countries:China is explicitly mentioned as a country whose legal entities are not eligible to participate in both Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) and Innovation Actions (IAs) falling under this destination. The text also mentions Member States and Associated Countries, and non-EU/non-Associated Countries.

Project Stage:The expected maturity of the project is at the innovation action stage, which implies a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5-7, focusing on demonstrating and validating technologies or solutions in real-world or close-to-real-world environments.

Funding Amount:The funding amounts vary by topic, as indicated in the budget overview.

HORIZON-CL5-2027-05-D2-08:€18,800,000 (approximately €9,400,000 per grant, 2 grants)

HORIZON-CL5-2027-05-D4-05:€20,250,000 (approximately €6,750,000 per grant, 3 grants)

HORIZON-CL5-2027-05-D4-06:€15,750,000 (approximately €5,250,000 per grant, 3 grants)

HORIZON-CL5:€27,000,000 (approximately €6,750,000 per grant, 4 grants)

HORIZON-CL5-2027-05-D4-09:€13,500,000 (approximately €6,750,000 per grant, 2 grants)

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.

Application Stages:The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates:The success rates cannot be determined from the provided text. However, the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the potential number of successful applications.

Co-funding Requirement:The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement. However, Horizon Europe Innovation Actions often require some level of co-funding, which is not specified in the text.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call, part of the BATTERIES and ENERGY (HORIZON-CL5-2027-05) program, focuses on integrating circularity in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)-based modelling frameworks for the renovation of buildings, specifically within the Built4People Partnership. The call aims to develop comprehensive modelling frameworks that incorporate circularity assessment in life cycle analysis, contributing to the reduction of material flows, energy use, and GHG emissions in building renovations. Projects should apply these frameworks to real-life buildings across different climatic regions within EU Member States or Associated Countries. The expected outcome is to demonstrate measurable reductions in environmental impacts and promote net-zero whole-life carbon buildings. The call is structured as a single-stage application process with funding provided as a lump sum grant. While the call is open to a wide range of legal entities from EU Member States and Associated Countries, entities established in China are not eligible. The call targets the energy demand side, focusing on energy efficiency in buildings and industry, and contributes to the EU's Green Transition and climate goals.