Knowledge sharing and dissemination to support road transport R&I in EU and around the world increasing global EU competitiveness

The EU funding opportunity is part of Horizon Europe, specifically under Cluster 5, aimed at supporting knowledge sharing and dissemination to enhance road transport research and innovation, strengthening the global competitiveness of the EU. The action type is a Coordination and Support Action, with the specific funding mechanism being a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant. The call is currently open for submission with a single-stage deadline of September 4, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time.

Eligible applicants may include universities, research institutions, industry stakeholders, SMEs, and NGOs involved in sustainable road transport innovation. The primary geographic eligibility covers EU member states, EEA countries, and associated countries, with a focus on increasing international cooperation especially with the US and emerging economies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The program specifically targets the sustainable road transport sector, promoting various goals such as climate action, improved air quality, road safety, and the digitalization of transport. Projects funded under this opportunity are expected to enhance stakeholder participation in EU activities, align European research infrastructure with strategic needs, and disseminate research results to support the European Green Deal and other strategic objectives.

The funding amount is variable, likely within a typical range set by Horizon Europe for CSA projects, with a rough estimate of between 1 million to 5 million euros, though no specific figures are explicitly stated. The application process is a single-stage submission system. Success rates are generally around 10 to 39%, consistent with Horizon Europe but not specifically mentioned for this call.

The grant supports actions that identify future research and innovation needs, promote knowledge sharing, and organize events to disseminate findings. The focus is on activities that build collaboration and address societal readiness for the deployment of innovative solutions in road transport.

Overall, this Horizon Europe call promotes sustainable transport through coordinated research efforts and collaboration among diverse stakeholders, contributing to the EU’s digital strategy and sustainability goals. Potential applicants are encouraged to access various resources for guidance throughout the application process.

The EU Funding Opportunity is part of the Horizon Europe program, specifically under Cluster 5, Call 04-2025 (WP 2025) and is titled "Knowledge sharing and dissemination to support road transport R&I in EU and around the world increasing global EU competitiveness". The type of action is HORIZON-CSA, which stands for HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions. The Model Grant Agreement type is HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS].

The call is currently open for submission as of May 6, 2025, and has a single-stage deadline of September 4, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of projects funded under this opportunity are: Increased participation of actors and stakeholders to EU activities in the area of road transport, also supporting a more coherent and inclusive European alignment in specific identified areas; Identified state of the art, requirements and developments, future needs and barriers to foster the deployment of EU R&I results and proposals for action to support the future of the European road transport area R&I, also including skills and standards; Identified possible renewed strategy for research infrastructure ecosystems in the Road Transport sector; Increased international cooperation on road transport with related national and international organisations and support of international EU activities in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and supporting the competitiveness of the EU industry, in particular the US and the Global South; Widespread dissemination of contribution from road transport research, in particular from EU funded projects, focused on the realisation of the European Green Deal, the new European industrial policy, the European Union digital strategy as well as Vision Zero for road safety; Knowledge sharing and widely promoted R&I activities, in particular via road transport events to support identification of future requirements, potential developments, white spots and precompetitive activities.

The scope of this funding opportunity is to further promote Research and Innovation (R&I) leading to sustainable road transport in Europe and at an international level. The action is expected to help identify future R&I needs, gather an increased number of innovative actors and stakeholders, stimulate a wider participation to EU activities and support European plus Worldwide dissemination of results and support the identification of possible future actions in view of a renewed European competitiveness. This action shall provide a positive contribution to the European Research Area, as well as to the European strategies for future transport systems and the EU’s collaboration in R&I with international partners. In addition, this initiative will support climate action and air quality improvement in line with the Green Deals targets and objectives, Vision Zero for road safety, contribute to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals as well as the EU’s digital strategy.

The following aspects need to be addressed: Widen and increase the European future road transport R&I environment by providing an enlarged, more innovative and more representative number of interested stakeholders that could currently be less represented in existing European platforms, networks and associations (both geographically and thematically); Identification of actions to support the road transport R&I area, e.g. identify state of the art, future and innovative requirements, potential technical developments and white spots, and potential precompetitive activities; Identification of in-depth state of the art and barriers for the deployment of EU research results at European and international level, co-development of options to overcome them, including development of innovation plans and analysis of competitiveness issues to support the alignment of European stakeholders in the following specific areas: “Urban zero-emission mobility”, “Improved air quality”, “Future road safety ”, “Zero-emission long-haul logistics” and “Digitalisation of road transport” (including all relevant aspects related to Artificial Intelligence, big data and Software Defined Vehicles); Assess the current road transport related research infrastructures (RI) in Europe and, based on this, analyse and identify needs towards a strategy for the establishment of a research infrastructure (RI) ecosystems in the Road Transport sector that addresses EU priorities and strategic autonomy together with the EU’s capacity for excellent research; To foster innovation aspects of road transport R&I, at least 4 specific events or workshops will be organised to present, discuss and disseminate the analysed technology needs, trends and results of the above points. In addition, direct support (such as financial, organisational, communication and dissemination) is expected to the annual Road Transport Research Conferences co-organised by the European Commission, ERTRAC, and the 2Zero, CCAM and BATT4EU Partnerships; Support the identification and scaling up of activities at an EU level in the fields of education, training and skilling/reskilling and standardisation; In the field of international cooperation in line with the UN SDGs and to support the European industrial competitiveness for the future road transport sector: Following-up the previous EU-US transport research symposia (co-organised by the European Commission) in the specific sectors of “Decarbonisation” and “Digitalisation”, provide a deep analysis of the implementation and evaluation of EU research funded projects and activities to support the alignment with the US (mainly under the DoE and DoT programmes) on technological, societal, systemic and spatial dimensions of R&I in road transport. Analyse EU research funded projects and activities related to electromobility in urban areas in emerging economies (specifically in Africa, Asia and Latin America) and support further dissemination and replication of implemented solutions in other regions via specific workshops and events, mainly online. This shall also facilitate the exchange of information of EU actors and projects with key international cooperation programmes such as the Global Gateway and the UN Global Environment Facility (GEF).

General conditions for participation include: Admissibility Conditions regarding proposal page limits 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. Other Eligible Conditions as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria as described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds as described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes as described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement as described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes. Legal and financial set-up of the grants, with eligible costs taking the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021.

Specific conditions state that this is Not applicable.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA) information: Application form templates are available in the Submission System, specifically the Standard application form (HE CSA). Evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations, using the Standard evaluation form (HE CSA). Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide. The Model Grant Agreement (MGA) is the Lump Sum MGA. Call-specific instructions include a Detailed budget table (HE LS) and guidance on "Lump sums - what do I need to know?".

Additional documents include: HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility, HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. 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 for various topics under this call in 2025 is as follows: HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-01 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 20,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 2. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-02 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 10,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 1. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-03 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 5,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 1. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-04 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 7,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 1. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-05 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 12,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 2. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-06 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 5,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 1. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-07 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: 2,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 1. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-08 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 15,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 1. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-10 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 22,500,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 2. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-11 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 15,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 2. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-12 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 4,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 1. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-13 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 4,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 1. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-14 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 5,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 1. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-15 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 7,500,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 1. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-16 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: 2,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 1. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-18 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: 1,600,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 1. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-19 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: 2,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 1. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D6-01 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 12,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 2. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D6-02 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: 4,500,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 1. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D6-11 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 10,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 2. HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D6-12 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 8,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants: 2.

There are 5 partner search announcements available.

To start the submission process, applicants should access the Electronic Submission Service via the provided link and select the appropriate type of action and model grant agreement.

For help and support, applicants can refer to 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, and Partner Search tools.

In summary, this Horizon Europe funding opportunity aims to bolster research and innovation in sustainable road transport, fostering collaboration, disseminating knowledge, and aligning European efforts with global sustainability goals. It supports a range of activities, from coordination and support actions to research and innovation actions, with a focus on achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal, promoting digitalization, and enhancing road safety. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and applicants are encouraged to consult the provided resources for guidance and support throughout the application process.

This opportunity is about advancing sustainable road transport through research and innovation. It's designed to bring together various stakeholders, share knowledge, and align European efforts with global sustainability goals. Think of it as a way to fund projects that make road transport greener, safer, and more efficient, while also boosting the competitiveness of the European industry. If you have a project that fits this description, this funding could be a great way to get it off the ground.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated but can be inferred to include a wide range of stakeholders involved in research and innovation related to sustainable road transport. This likely includes universities, research institutions, industry (including SMEs and large enterprises), and other relevant organizations. The call aims to widen participation, suggesting that entities currently underrepresented in European platforms, networks, and associations are particularly encouraged to apply.

Funding Type: The primary funding mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, as indicated by the "Type of MGA: HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]" designation. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme.

Consortium Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, given the scope and objectives of the call, which include widening participation and fostering collaboration, it is highly probable that consortia are encouraged, if not required, to ensure a diverse and representative range of stakeholders. Partner search announcements are available, suggesting that consortia are welcome.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility appears to be focused on EU member states and associated countries, as this is a Horizon Europe program. However, the call also emphasizes international cooperation, particularly with the US and emerging economies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Therefore, while the core beneficiaries are likely EU-based, there may be opportunities for organizations from non-EU countries to participate, especially in the context of international collaboration activities. 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 program targets the sustainable road transport sector, with a focus on promoting research and innovation (R&I) to achieve various goals, including climate action, air quality improvement, road safety, and the digitalization of road transport. Specific areas of interest include urban zero-emission mobility, improved air quality, future road safety, zero-emission long-haul logistics, and the digitalization of road transport (including AI, big data, and Software Defined Vehicles).

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity details explicitly mention the United States (US) and refers to emerging economies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The primary focus is on Europe and the European Research Area.

Project Stage: The program supports a range of project stages, from identifying future R&I needs and state-of-the-art assessments to the dissemination and replication of implemented solutions. It appears to focus on activities that support coordination, knowledge sharing, and the development of strategies and innovation plans, rather than direct technology development.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary by topic, ranging from EUR 1,600,000 to EUR 22,500,000. The indicative number of grants per topic also varies, from 1 to 2.

Application Type: The application type is a single-stage open call, as indicated by "Deadline model: single-stage" and "Open For Submission."

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant. The program also provides non-monetary services such as organizational, communication, and dissemination support for events like the Road Transport Research Conferences.

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

This Horizon Europe call focuses on promoting research and innovation in sustainable road transport, aiming to enhance European competitiveness and address environmental and safety challenges. It seeks to widen participation in EU activities, identify future R&I needs, and foster international cooperation, particularly with the US and emerging economies. The call supports coordination and support actions (CSAs) through lump sum grants, encouraging a broad range of stakeholders to engage in knowledge sharing, strategy development, and the dissemination of research results. The goal is to contribute to the European Green Deal, the new European industrial policy, the EU digital strategy, and Vision Zero for road safety.